🎵Songs and Song-writing Unit 3 – Harmony: Chords and Progressions

What's the Deal with Harmony?

• Harmony refers to the simultaneous sounding of multiple notes, creating chords and supporting melodies
• Serves as the vertical aspect of music, while melody represents the horizontal dimension
• Provides emotional depth and richness to compositions by adding color, texture, and complexity
• Enhances the overall listening experience by creating tension, resolution, and movement within a piece
• Plays a crucial role in defining the genre, style, and mood of a song
  • Different genres often utilize specific harmonic conventions and progressions (blues, jazz, pop)
• Supports and interacts with the melody, rhythm, and lyrics to convey the intended musical message
• Allows for creative expression and experimentation through the choice of chords, voicings, and progressions

Building Blocks: Types of Chords

• Triads are the most basic type of chord, consisting of three notes: the root, third, and fifth
  • Major triads have a bright, happy sound and are built with a major third and perfect fifth (C-E-G)
  • Minor triads have a darker, melancholic sound and are built with a minor third and perfect fifth (C-Eb-G)
• Seventh chords add an extra note to triads, creating a richer and more complex sound
  • Dominant seventh chords are commonly used in popular music and jazz (C7, G7)
  • Major seventh chords have a sophisticated, jazzy sound (Cmaj7, Fmaj7)
  • Minor seventh chords are often used in blues, R&B, and soul music (Cm7, Am7)
• Suspended chords create an open, ambiguous sound by replacing the third with either a second or fourth
  • Sus2 chords have a bright, optimistic sound (Csus2, Dsus2)
  • Sus4 chords have a tense, unresolved feel (Fsus4, Gsus4)
• Power chords are commonly used in rock and metal, consisting of only the root and fifth (C5, F5)
• Inversions occur when the lowest note of a chord is not the root, creating different voicings and bass lines
  • First inversion has the third as the lowest note (C/E)
  • Second inversion has the fifth as the lowest note (C/G)

Chord Progressions 101

• Chord progressions are sequences of chords that create harmonic movement and structure in a song
• Progressions are often built around the tonic (I), subdominant (IV), and dominant (V) chords of a key
• The most common chord progression in popular music is I-V-vi-IV, known as the "pop progression"
• Cadences are specific chord sequences that provide resolution or tension at the end of a phrase
  • Authentic cadence: V to I, provides a strong sense of resolution (G to C in C major)
  • Plagal cadence: IV to I, often used in gospel and hymns (F to C in C major)
  • Deceptive cadence: V to vi, creates an unexpected resolution (G to Am in C major)
• Diatonic progressions use chords within the key, creating a sense of stability and cohesion
• Non-diatonic progressions introduce chords outside the key, adding tension and color to the harmony
• Modulation is the process of changing keys within a song, often used to create variety and interest

Common Chord Sequences in Pop

• I-V-vi-IV: The "pop progression" used in countless hit songs (C-G-Am-F in C major)
• I-IV-V: A simple, classic progression found in blues, rock, and folk music (C-F-G in C major)
• ii-V-I: A fundamental jazz progression that creates a strong sense of resolution (Dm-G-C in C major)
• I-vi-IV-V: Another popular progression with a slightly different feel than the "pop progression" (C-Am-F-G in C major)
• vi-IV-I-V: A variation of the "pop progression" with a more melancholic sound (Am-F-C-G in C major)
• I-iii-vi-IV: A progression that emphasizes the minor chords, often used in ballads (C-Em-Am-F in C major)
• I-V-ii-IV: A less common but effective progression that adds a touch of jazz flavor (C-G-Dm-F in C major)

Spicing It Up: Extended and Altered Chords

• Extended chords add notes beyond the seventh, creating more complex and colorful harmonies
  • Ninth chords add the ninth scale degree to seventh chords (Cmaj9, Dm9)
  • Eleventh chords include the eleventh scale degree (Cm11, F11)
  • Thirteenth chords incorporate the thirteenth scale degree (G13, Bbm13)
• Altered chords modify the fifth, ninth, or eleventh scale degrees to create tension and dissonance
  • Augmented chords raise the fifth by a half-step, creating a bright, unsettled sound (C+, F+)
  • Diminished chords lower the third and fifth by a half-step, resulting in a dark, tense sound (Co, Fo)
  • Suspended fourth chords replace the third with the fourth, creating an ambiguous, unresolved feel (Csus4, Gsus4)
• Slash chords indicate a specific bass note, allowing for creative basslines and inversions (C/E, Dm/F)
• Borrowed chords are taken from parallel keys, adding unexpected colors and emotions to a progression
  • Using a minor iv chord in a major key (Fm in C major)
  • Incorporating a major IV chord in a minor key (F in C minor)

Harmony in Action: Analyzing Hit Songs

• "Let It Be" by The Beatles: I-V-vi-IV progression in C major (C-G-Am-F)
  • Utilizes the "pop progression" to create a memorable, uplifting sound
  • Incorporates gospel-influenced piano and vocal harmonies
• "Wonderwall" by Oasis: I-iii-vi-IV progression in F# minor (F#m-A-D-B)
  • Uses a variation of the "pop progression" with a minor tonic chord
  • Features a memorable acoustic guitar riff and anthemic vocals
• "Giant Steps" by John Coltrane: Rapidly modulating ii-V-I progressions in multiple keys
  • Showcases complex jazz harmony and virtuosic improvisation
  • Demonstrates the use of non-diatonic chords and advanced harmonic concepts
• "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee: i-iv-V progression in B minor (Bm-Em-F#)
  • Employs a simple, catchy chord progression with Latin-inspired rhythms
  • Incorporates syncopated vocal melodies and reggaeton-style production
• "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson: i-VI-III-VII progression in F# minor (F#m-D-A-E)
  • Uses a distinctive, funky chord progression with a minor tonic
  • Features a iconic bassline and dancefloor-ready groove

Writing Your Own Progressions

• Start with a tonic chord and explore different combinations of diatonic chords in the key
• Experiment with common progressions like I-IV-V, I-V-vi-IV, and ii-V-I to get a feel for their sound
• Try substituting chords within a progression to create variation and interest
  • Replace the V chord with a vii° or ii chord for a different flavor
  • Swap the vi chord with a IV chord to change the emotional context
• Use extended and altered chords sparingly to add color and tension to your progressions
• Consider borrowing chords from parallel keys to introduce unexpected harmonic shifts
• Pay attention to the relationship between the melody and the underlying harmony
  • Choose chords that support and enhance the melodic contour and phrasing
  • Use chord extensions and alterations to create a sense of tension and release with the melody
• Analyze your favorite songs and try to recreate their chord progressions as a starting point
• Don't be afraid to break the rules and experiment with unconventional chord combinations

Pro Tips for Songwriters

• Learn to play and recognize common chord progressions in various keys
• Practice transitioning smoothly between chords to maintain a cohesive harmonic flow
• Use a combination of diatonic and non-diatonic chords to create a balance of stability and tension
• Vary the harmonic rhythm (the rate at which chords change) to add interest and momentum
• Experiment with different chord voicings and inversions to create unique textures and basslines
• Use pedal points (sustained notes) to create a sense of harmonic stability or ambiguity
• Consider the emotional impact of each chord and progression in relation to the lyrics and melody
• Collaborate with other musicians to explore new harmonic ideas and perspectives
• Study music theory to understand the underlying principles of harmony and chord construction
• Trust your ear and let your intuition guide you in creating compelling and expressive chord progressions