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Chord

Progression #3

Musical

Example

Chord

Progression #3

All Keys

Chord

Progression #3

Abbreviated

Score/Music

Chord Progression #3

This chord progression is a I-I7-IV-iv progression.

We will reposition the notes of the chords so that they are easier to play on the piano. Let's listen to this I-I7-IV-iv progression:

This four chord progression can be repeated several times in a row. Let your ears decide when it's time to move on to other chords. The progression can be used in both pop and classical settings.

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

Now let's listen to what this chord progression sounds like when used in a semi-classical style:

As you can see in this abbreviated orchestral score, the strings play the chords, while the bass plays the root note of each chord. What makes this arrangement different from most of our other examples is that the melody is played below the harmony. Here, the bass clarinet plays the melody an octave or two below the harmony. When using chord progressions, a melody can be placed anywhere.

In this example, the bass clarinet plays a perky, staccato melody. We chose this instrument specifically for the particular characteristic it brings to the music. Because the bass clarinet normally plays in this lower octave, the harmony has to be placed above it. Otherwise the harmony would sound muddy.