by Erik Thiede on March 10, 2010
Looking for a guide on popular chord progression? Want to understand how it all works?
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What is a popular chord progression? Chord progressions are actually series of chords which are played one after the other to produce a harmonious tune. By now you have learned the different piano chords and may have memorized them a bit. The knowledge you have about chords will help you a lot in playing the piano. Here is the reason why…
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When you look at a music sheet, did you notice that there are certain chords that loop around the entire music piece? These chords follow the popular chord progression loop. They are said to be popular because you cannot only find them in one music sheet but also in other compositions. The only differences they have are the time signatures and the notes being played on the music sheet.
How are this popular chord progression written? They can be written in two ways. One is through the Roman numeral system and the other one is by the simple use of numbers. The basic chord progression is called the “three chord key” or “3-note triads” which is comprised of three chords that when played together, creates a harmonious melody.
The most basic and popular chord progression is I – IV – V or 1 – 4 – 5. Take the key of C for example, if it follows this chord progression, you will have C – F – G. After playing the third chord of the chord progression order, you will loop around and go back to the first chord. Sometimes one of these chords will be changed into a minor chord that hymns together with the major chords, other times some composers insert the minor chords instead of just changing one of the major chords.
I – IV – V can be changed into I – ii – V which stands for C – Dm – G. Notice the smaller Roman numerals are used to represent the minor chords such as the D minor. However, most composers use numbers instead of the roman numerals. An example for this is the 1 – 6 – 2 – 5 popular chord progression which represents C – Am – Dm – G7. Your guide in order to learn chord progression will always be your knowledge of the fifteen key signatures as well as the different piano chords that’s why it is so important for you to memorize those basics.
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by Erik Thiede on March 1, 2010
Clueless about seventh piano chords? Want to know how and when to use them?
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Seventh piano chords are just like the triad chords PLUS the 7th note in the scale. It’s used a lot in jazz, gospel and blues piano music.
Just like with the triads, seventh piano chords can have several forms:
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Dominant Seventh:
Symbol: 7
The dominant seventh consist of the 1st, 3rd, 5th and lowered 7th notes in the scale.
Example: C7 = C E G Bb
Major Seventh:
Symbol: M7 or maj7
The major seventh is a major triad chord plus the unlowered 7th note.
t consist of the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th notes in a scale.
Example: Cmaj7 or CM7 = C E G B
Minor Seventh:
Symbol: m7
The minor seventh chord is the minor triad chord plus the dominant 7th.
It consist of the 1st, lowered 3rd, 5th and lowered 7th notes in the scale.
Example: Cm7 = C Eb G Bb
Minor/ Major Seventh:
Symbol: m/M7 or m/maj7
Can decide between the minor seventh and part major seventh? Then the minor/ major seventh chord may be your solution. It’s part minor seventh and part major seventh.
It consist of the 1st, lowered 3rd, 5th and 7th notes in the scale.
Example: Cm/M7 or Cm/maj7 = C Eb G B
Diminished Seventh:
Symbol: dim7
Just like the name suggest, a diminished triad chord is a minor seventh chord with the last note diminished or lowered one-half step. Since the 7th note is already lower by definition, the 7th note is double lowered to become diminished (double flat, 
). The 5th note is also lowered.
It consist of the 1st, lowered 3rd, lowered 5th and double-lowered 7th notes in the scale.
Example: Cdim7 = C Eb G Bbb
Diminished Minor Seventh or Minor Seventh Flat Five or Half-Diminished Seventh:
Symbol: m7b5
It’s like a diminished seventh chord but the 7th note is only half-diminished, it’s just lowered once not twice as is the case in a Diminished Seventh.
It consist of the 1st, lowered 3rd, lowered 5th and lowered 7th notes in the scale.
Example: Cm7b5 = C Eb Gb Bb
Dominant Seventh Flat 5:
Symbol: 7b5
Just like the name suggest, it’s a dominant seventh where the 5th note is flat in the scale.
It consist of the 1st, 3rd, lowered 5th and lower 7th notes.
Example: C7#5 = C E Gb Bb
Augmented Dominant Seventh or Dominant Seventh Sharp 5:
Symbol: 7#5
Just like the name suggest, it’s a dominant seventh where the 5th note is sharp in the scale.
It consist of the 1st, 3rd, raised 5th and lower 7th notes.
Example: C7#5 = C E G# Bb
Play around with all of these seventh piano chords and learn to recognize them in your favorite music.
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