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Step 5

Musical

Example

 Changing the Musical Style

The I-vi-ii-V progression is most often used in pop music, and we've just presented an example in a semi-pop style. But this same chord progression can also be used in a traditional classical fashion as well. Let's listen to what that might sound like:

Just like our previous example, the melody is dictated by the chords below it. The chords change on every quarter note beat. The melody lands on each beat, using a note from the chord below it. The sixteenth notes that fall after the quarter note beat connect that chord to the following chord.

This example clearly illustrates the point that chord progressions can be adopted to fit any musical style. Chord progressions work because certain harmonies have a tendency to follow other harmonies. But harmonies don't necessarily determine any particular style of music. The more chords and chord progressions we are familiar with, the more colorful our music will be, regardless of the style.