So, being new to guitar and music theory (1 year), this is the part in my development that is giving me somewhat of a hard time...Not the general process of determining what key the chords in the progression belongs to but rather the particular case of distinguishing whether the song is in the major scale or rather its relative minor. Take the case of "Comfortably Numb"...The chord progression for the verse is Bm-A-G-Em. Now, to me, that progression is clearly a minor tonality and I would say the key center is Bm. Someone else would say it is a vi-V-IV-ii in D major. I understand this but I would reserve that conclusion for the D-A section after the verse, which to me is a I-V in D major. Is there an objectively right answer or is it just a matter of perspective? Do we have to analyze the whole song's harmonic structure to come up with a definite answer or should the analysis more appropriately stick to the part being analyzed while looking to the melody for clues? Thanks so much for this wonderful series!
One possible answer lies in the chord of the last bar; very frequently including the root of the key it has been written in. Now when you look at the piano sheet music of "Comfortably Numb," you see (for the left hand) the notes, B,F#,B and (for the left hand), B,B. So my bet would be that this has been written in the key of B minor. Just a thought.
hey i wanted to ask, im a pianist, singer and songwriter, and i wrote a song for alternative rock genre, and i want to use minor chord progressions like for evanescence
Something ive been trying to figure out for a long time, i made those charts for each of the modes, should chord progressions that work in ionian like 1,4,5, also translate to each of the modes? Ex: 1,4,5 in G mixolydian would be G,C,dm. Would this progression work or are there different dominant chord numbers in other modes? Hopefully that made sense, thanks.
I'm not sure what you mean by different dominant chord numbers but yes 1-4-5 in G Mixo would be G-C-Dm and would work. You just rearrange the numbers like you do for Relative Minor. Biggest thing is to revolve the sound over the 1 chord...so for G mixo make sure the G or G7 etc... sound like home base. Thanks! -Chad
Move Forward Guitar i just wasnt sure if the 5 chord was always the dominant. Like in g mixolydian, dm is the 5, and if the 5 is dominant it resolves to the 1. So dm should resolve to G. So in F lydian , C should resolve to F, right?
I wanna ask, I want to play metal. In this genre chords different from power chords are not used at all. So do these chord progressions work for power chords (they arent major or minor)
They do work for power chords. You can treat power chords as major or minor. Really you can just move power chords around and use your ears to find what you like though. Thanks! -Chad
Click the link to access our FREE Music Theory For Guitar eGuide, along with the rest of our courses: moveforwardguitar.teachable.com/
I always suspected that we restarted the vi as the I, but no one ever came outing said it, except you. Thanks!!
Glad it helped. Thanks! -Chad
Outstanding. Another excellent lesson. Thanks Chad. Well done, as always.
This has been immensely valuable to me. Thank you.
You just improved my music❣️🫀❤️
Very good lessons, all lessons.
I did download your e-book and you are very generous thank you very much.
Nicely done. Thanks for the explanation.
This is very enlightening. Thank you so much!
Glad to hear that and you're welcome. Thanks! -Chad
Thanks for the great lesson Chad!!
You're welcome! -Chad
Subbed and downloaded the guide. Thank you..wow what a piece of work!
Thanks! -Chad
Woooow, you are awesome!!
Thanks! -Chad
So, being new to guitar and music theory (1 year), this is the part in my development that is giving me somewhat of a hard time...Not the general process of determining what key the chords in the progression belongs to but rather the particular case of distinguishing whether the song is in the major scale or rather its relative minor. Take the case of "Comfortably Numb"...The chord progression for the verse is Bm-A-G-Em. Now, to me, that progression is clearly a minor tonality and I would say the key center is Bm. Someone else would say it is a vi-V-IV-ii in D major. I understand this but I would reserve that conclusion for the D-A section after the verse, which to me is a I-V in D major. Is there an objectively right answer or is it just a matter of perspective? Do we have to analyze the whole song's harmonic structure to come up with a definite answer or should the analysis more appropriately stick to the part being analyzed while looking to the melody for clues? Thanks so much for this wonderful series!
One possible answer lies in the chord of the last bar; very frequently including the root of the key it has been written in.
Now when you look at the piano sheet music of "Comfortably Numb," you see (for the left hand) the notes, B,F#,B and (for the left hand), B,B.
So my bet would be that this has been written in the key of B minor.
Just a thought.
thank you for the eguide it's very use
You're welcome! Glad you like it. Thanks! -Chad
hey i wanted to ask, im a pianist, singer and songwriter, and i wrote a song for alternative rock genre, and i want to use minor chord progressions like for evanescence
+youssef abdelshafy Are you asking for some examples? Thanks! -Chad
Move Forward Guitar yea, just some examples of chord progressions on piano and guitar for alternative rock songs like evanescence
+youssef abdelshafy Email me at chad@moveforwardguitar.com and I'll send you over some examples. Thanks! -Chad
Something ive been trying to figure out for a long time, i made those charts for each of the modes, should chord progressions that work in ionian like 1,4,5, also translate to each of the modes? Ex: 1,4,5 in G mixolydian would be G,C,dm. Would this progression work or are there different dominant chord numbers in other modes? Hopefully that made sense, thanks.
I'm not sure what you mean by different dominant chord numbers but yes 1-4-5 in G Mixo would be G-C-Dm and would work. You just rearrange the numbers like you do for Relative Minor. Biggest thing is to revolve the sound over the 1 chord...so for G mixo make sure the G or G7 etc... sound like home base. Thanks! -Chad
Move Forward Guitar i just wasnt sure if the 5 chord was always the dominant. Like in g mixolydian, dm is the 5, and if the 5 is dominant it resolves to the 1. So dm should resolve to G. So in F lydian , C should resolve to F, right?
I wanna ask, I want to play metal. In this genre chords different from power chords are not used at all. So do these chord progressions work for power chords (they arent major or minor)
They do work for power chords. You can treat power chords as major or minor. Really you can just move power chords around and use your ears to find what you like though. Thanks! -Chad
thanks ..nice information ...
No problem. Thanks for watching! -Chad
wow. i am mind blown. the universe now makes complete sense to me. thank you chadrick!
Awesome! -Chad
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