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Chord

Progression #2

Musical

Example

Chord

Progression #2

All Keys

Chord

Progression #2

Abbreviated

Score/Music

Chord Progression #2

This chord progression is a I-vi-ii-V progression:

This progression is commonly used in pop songs.

We will reposition the notes of the chords so that they are easier to play on the piano. Let's listen to what that this I-vi-ii-V progression sounds like:

Just like our Chord Progression#1, this four chord progression can be repeated many times before the ear tires of it; although we certainly recommend that you move onto other chords after a short while.

Let's listen to this progression in a pop setting:

While this progression has its place in pop music, it is also quite effective in classical music. Let's listen to what this chord progression sounds like in a classical setting:

As you can see in this abbreviated orchestral score, the right hand of the harpsichord plays the chords while the left hand provides the root note of each chord. A rapidly moving violin melody adds energy to the chord progression.

About half of the melody notes are chord tones found in the chord progression itself. The other melody notes are merely non-chord tones connecting these chord tones.

This same I-vi-ii-V chord progression could have just as easily provided the background for a slower piece of music, with both the melody and harmony moving at a relaxed pace. The instrumentation could have also been quite different. As in all the chord progressions in this chapter, your choices of styles and orchestration are limitless.

Variation on Chord Progression #2

A common variation on Chord Progression #2 consists of a variation of the third chord in the pattern:

In popular music, composers will often substitute the IV chord for the ii chord in that third chord position which changes it to the I-vi-IV-V progression. Let's listen to that progression:

Chord

Progression #1

Review