Chord Progressions

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Chord Progressions

Postby Hugh-AR » 13 Jul 2018 23:59

A bit of fun.

There are some 'chord progressions' where the same chord structure is used for many songs. For example, the twelve-bar blues or blues changes is one of the most prominent chord progressions in popular music. The blues progression has a distinctive form in lyrics, phrase, chord structure, and duration. In its basic form, it is predominantly based on the I, IV, and V chords of a key. So if played in C, the chords played would be C for 8 beats; F for 4 beats; C for 4 beats; G7 for 2 beats; F for 2 beats .. and back to C. The blues can be played in any key.

Here is a clip of the twelve-bar blues played on piano (in the key of E). What makes this 'blues' really special is the syncopated rhythm that is created.



There is another simple chord progression that is just as popular for many songs: C - Am - Dm - G7.

I have played Blue Moon with this chord progression, and have played it in C. Of course you can play a chord progression in any key .. just 'transpose' the chords. Eg. In F it would be F - Dm - Gm - C7.

I have a chosen a Piano to play the first part of Blue Moon, and then I change the Registration to a 'Polysynth' Voice. At this point (for a bit of fun) I have changed the Am in the chord progression to Gdim7, which gives the tune a sort of an 'uplift'. So I am playing this for two bars, C - Gdim7 - Dm - G7 .. and then I revert back to the Am for the tune to sound right.

Blue Moon

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https://app.box.com/s/ybmhmvqloaimwc02yhco3a2hgud31120

As I said, a bit of fun.

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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Brian007 » 14 Jul 2018 06:56

Hi Hugh,

That was an interesting example of just how a chord change can totally alter the feel of a song, I think it was John Lennon who famously said that there was no new music left, everything had been done and all new stuff was just a rehash, I suppose you could say that about chord progressions, as by the very structure of music chord progressions end up being reused time and time again,

All the best, Brian007 :D :D
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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Hugh-AR » 14 Jul 2018 07:46

Brian,

Picking up what you said about the feel of a song, and the very structure of music, I'm sure the Beatles went out to India and got absorbed in 'Indian' music because their structures are completely different to ours in the West. You might almost say they have a 'dis-harmony' and this sound can have quite an effect on one's 'mood'. Here is a YouTube video that is used for 'Meditation', and one of the comments underneath says:
I love this, it's like it gives me memories and a full filling feeling in me, I just want to cry, I don't know how to explain it, it's so beautiful.

I'm not suggesting you listen to the whole piece as it lasts for three hours, but skip along the timeline and listen to the sounds they get from what is basically three or four chords. This video has had over 25 million views.



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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby dragon » 14 Jul 2018 08:46

Hugh. I found your rendition of Blue Moon totally relaxing. Interesting dissertation about the chord structure. .. Fred
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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Jon D » 14 Jul 2018 10:19

Hi there Hugh,
I enjoyed that relaxing performance jus nice to listen to well done my good friend. :D :D :D

Jon D. 8) 8) 8)
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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Brian007 » 14 Jul 2018 10:31

HI Hugh,

An interesting video to listen to , I am not sure if they use a totally different scale/tuning, I know that the Korg make a model that has oriental after the name so there may be something in it ?

Brian007 :D :D
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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Hugh-AR » 14 Jul 2018 11:24

What is a 'Blue Moon'?

The expression, "Once in a blue moon", comes from the fact that there are 12 months in a year, and a 'full moon' in each; but not quite. Every two to three years there are 13 'full moons' in a year, so there are two in one of the months .. and the second one is called a 'blue moon'. ie. This happens "once in a blue moon".

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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby VAL7JEAN » 14 Jul 2018 12:01

Here are some chords for the opening 8 bars of Blue Moon you might like to try.
C9(13) / F maj7 Dm7 / Gm7 C7 / Fmaj9 Dm7 / Gm7 C9 / Fmaj7 Dm7 / Gm7 Gm7sus C / F6 Bb6 / F6 . Gm7 C9 /
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Re: Blue Moon - Chord Progressions

Postby JohnT » 14 Jul 2018 17:59

Hi Hugh. Thanks for taking the time to explain the chords. Much appreciated. A nice easy listen. John
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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Hugh-AR » 14 Jul 2018 23:38

Hi Val,

Have made a note of your chords for Blue Moon and have transposed them into C .. as I play the tune in C. I did try playing the tune in F (so I could use your chords 'as is'). I had no problem actually playing the tune in F (F is one of my OK keys) but the Voice I had chosen (Polysynth) was either too high or too low and it didn't sound right. Somebody somewhere asked why songs are played in certain keys. Well this one has a very good reason .. to make the voice sound right!

I really liked your Major 7th chords, but not for the first chord of the song, so just played a straight 'C'. The Minor 7th chords sound better than a straight Minor chord. The 9th chord I liked too, as that has more to it than a straight 7th. Then your 'sus C' was very slick (in my piece it is Dm7 sus A). So here is a short DEMO of Blue Moon using your chords. When you listen to it, when you come to the second bit (with the Clarinet) you will hear a Piano doing a sort of counter melody. You may wonder how I achieved this. No, I didn't 'multi-track' it. No, I didn't have the piano voice on the split Lower keyboard and jump down from one to the other. So how did I do it?

On the AR I have what is called LEAD VOICE, and anything chosen from this section is MONOPHONIC ie. it will only play one note, and that is the top one. So I have set the Clarinet as a Lead Voice. The Piano is just a 'general' voice chosen from Upper Voice 1 ie. it is polyphonic. If you listen very carefully, both Clarinet and Piano are playing together when I play the tune. So long as I hold that top note down the Clarinet will keep sounding, whereas the Piano, being a 'percussive' instrument, will fade away. Then whilst holding that top note down (with my pinkie) I play the counter melody notes underneath that top note with my 'free' fingers. It's only the Piano that plays underneath as the Clarinet is sounding that top note.

Below is the Blue Moon Demo.



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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby George » 20 Jul 2018 18:00

Hi, Hugh,

Well this is a classic oldie I enjoyed the arrangement and well played as always.

George.
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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby jackoj » 21 Jul 2018 16:38

Hi Hugh,
Enjoyed your playing of this number, afraid I am not much able to speak in terms of all the breakdowns of the music as you do, but when I play this song I use the chords / C / Am / F / G7 / C / - nearly the same as you have suggested with I believe the odd D D7 in. However your methods of progression was quite interesting and had my ear`s twitching :lol: . thanks for posting mate. ATB. jackoj. :) :) :) :)
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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Hugh-AR » 02 Sep 2019 22:32

Hi Jacko,

I have found your version of Blue Moon, which you did using Swing Ballad 2 on your Korg PA3X .. in June 2013.



You have played this with the chord progression you mention above.

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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Hugh-AR » 02 Sep 2019 23:16

Now here's another chord progression that is the same as the one jackoj has used: ie. / C / Am / F / G7 / C / ie. an F replacing the Dm I had at the beginning, which gives a stronger harmony at that point.

Theme From A Summer Place



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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Hugh-AR » 10 Sep 2019 17:27

And here's more with that C, Am, F, G7 progression (based on the key of C). There is no end to them!

Remember Lollipop, Lollipop, Oh Lolli-Lolli-Lolli, Lollipop .. by the Chordettes?

First, my version of it:

Click the below to play; then click the 'back-button' afterwards to get back to this page.
Lollipop, Lollipop played on my AR80 organ

And below, the original song by the Chordettes:



And another. All I Have To Do Is Dream by the Everly Brothers.

My version (verses and chorus all mixed up as I don't know the words, and one part sounds very much like another).
Click the below to play; then click the 'back-button' afterwards to get back to this page.
All I have To Do Is Dream played on my AR80 organ

And below, the original song by the Everly Brothers:



Hugh
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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Hugh-AR » 03 May 2020 12:52

In another Topic on Chords and Harmony Brian007 has said:
One of the most fascinating example of a chord progression for me is in the song " Hotel California " by the Eagles and one more is " Help" by the Beatles both of which a been massive hits for the songwriters.

These are the two songs he is on about:

Eagles - Hotel California (Live 1977) (Official Video)



... and:

The Beatles - Help!

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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Brian007 » 03 May 2020 13:12

Hi ALL,

A screen preview of the chords in those two songs can be seen in the links below
Hotel California was written by Don Felder, Glenn Frey and Don Henley from the band 'The Eagles'.
Recorded: 1976
Released: February, 1977 from the album of the same name.
Music: Key of B Minor in 4/4 time at 74 bpm (♩)
Chords: Bm, F#, F#7, A, Asus2, E, E9, G, D, Em

Do a right click to open this up in a New Tab
https://www.bellandcomusic.com/hotel-california.html
Help was written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon/McCartney.
Recorded: EMI Studios, London on April 13th, 1965
Released: July 19th, 1965 in the US, and July 23rd, 1965 in the UK from the album of the same name.
Music: Key of B Minor in 4/4 time at 188 bpm (♩)
Chords: Bm, G, E7, A7, A, C#m, F#m, D

Do a right click to open this up in a New Tab
https://www.bellandcomusic.com/help.html


All the Best Brian007
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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Hugh-AR » 03 May 2020 14:22

Brian,

That looks a very interesting site for CHORDS for songs ...

Do a right-click to open this up in a New Tab
https://www.bellandcomusic.com

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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Hugh-AR » 20 May 2020 17:12

Brian (Brian007) has played another piece on his PSR-SX700 with that straightforward C, Am, Dm, G7 chord progression I mentioned at the beginning of this Topic. There must be hundreds (if not thousands) of songs that follow this pattern.

Oh Carol
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https://app.box.com/s/igpqqrzuce2y6x37gqm5rrb29o2i4jdj

"Oh! Carol" was written by Neil Sedaka in 1958.

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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Hugh-AR » 22 May 2020 20:09

Now here's one where the 'standard' of C - Am - Dm - G7 has been 'twisted' to create a very unusual and striking chord progression.

Instead of:
/ C - Am - Dm - G7 / C - Am - Dm - G7 /

we have:
/ C - Am - Abmaj7 - G7 / C - Am - Fm - G7 /

.. or strictly speaking, as the piece is actually played in A ..
/ A - F#m - Fmaj7 - E7 / A - F#m - Dm - E7 /

Free As A Bird (Beatles number) played by Peter Slack (Peter S) on his Korg PA4X.

Click the orange marker on the Soundcloud LINK below to ‘Play’.
https://soundcloud.com/peter-s-7/korg-pa4-free-as-a-bird



And here is a video where 'pianojohn113' goes through all the chords of this song on the piano. Names all the chords and shows how they are constructed. A great video for anyone who 'plays by ear'.

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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Hugh-AR » 22 May 2020 20:19

Looking through the archives, I have come across this version too, an 'animated video' done by Rocco (Roconi).



This song was composed and sung by John Lennon in 1977 but only recorded as a 'home DEMO'. Then many years later the tapes for it were 'discovered' and the Beatles got back together to record a new version of it, which included not only John Lennon's original soundtrack but also material from the other three band members.
From Wikipedia:
"Free as a Bird" is a song originally written and recorded in 1977 as a home demo by John Lennon, formerly of the Beatles. In 1995, 25 years after their break-up and 15 years after Lennon was murdered, the band released a studio version incorporating contributions from his surviving bandmates Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

The Beatles: the recording of 'Free As A Bird' and 'Real Love' by Jeff Lynne, Paul McCartney & Ringo



And here is the result of their efforts.

The Beatles - Free As A Bird

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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Brian007 » 23 May 2020 06:54

Hi Hugh,

Never really listened to this Beatles track that closely , but after watching the videos above , I like it

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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Hugh-AR » 06 Mar 2021 14:03

More on chord progressions. An example of enhancing some basic chords.

How Paul Simon wrote the PERFECT chord progression

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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby mikeg » 06 Mar 2021 15:08

hI Hugh Thanks for posting I find these very interesting indeed Best Regards mikeG.
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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Hugh-AR » 27 Mar 2021 14:02

The Turnaround Progression and the Mixo-Blues Scale

Here are the four chords that make up the Turnaround Progression, which is used for playing a Jazz style called Cocktail Piano. I would call his first chord Fnat7. His second chord is indescribable; third chord Em7?; and the fourth chord he calls A7. Really? A7 is A C# E G. But then I have given these chords the 'traditional' names we find on our keyboards. His terminology for these chords is "Rootless Voicing Chords".

His Tutorial leads on to the Mixo-Blues Scale of nine notes. You can use these notes to improvise over any of the four chords he has described. Then off you go. Play some 'Jazz' music as the mood takes you.

Beginners, here's how to play Cocktail Piano

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Re: Chord Progressions

Postby Hugh-AR » 16 May 2021 15:47

An interesting video here analysing the Chords of John Lennon's "Imagine". In this video he talks not just about the chords in the piece, but where the notes are played (on a guitar). It's interesting to hear the difference between the chord harmony being played on higher notes, and lower notes. The harmony is the same, yes, but the 'atmosphere' of the piece is dramatically changed when the chords are played lower down. An interesting thought for our keyboards, because the STYLE accompaniment is the same wherever you play your chords, but when including a LEFT HAND VOICE you do hear the notes you play for that chord 'as is' .. so the overall 'atmosphere' of the piece can be changed by playing the chord higher or lower.

Listen to this track I have played, using a choir. Because I am using a LEFT HAND VOICE for the choir, the notes you hear the choir sing are determined by the top notes I am playing in my chord. The ending 'melody' in particular is from the top notes I am playing in my left hand chords, which are all 4-note chords. So the choir 'melody' is going G (Am7), G (D7sus4), F# (D7), G (G).

Do a right-click to open this up in a New Tab
Harmony melody determined from the top note of the LEFT HAND CHORD I am playing

In this video below it is the bottom note of the chord that is the important bit that determines the harmony.

Analyzing The Chords of John Lennon's "Imagine" - Perfect Progressions

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