Chord Progressions

Chord Progressions

Major, minor, 7th chords

Reading Chord Progressions in Music

A chord’s symbol tells you two things about the chord: root and type.

ROOT: The capital letter above the measure tells you the chord root. The root note gives the chord it’s name. For example, the root of a C chord is the note C.

TYPE: Any letter and/or number following the chord root tells you the chord type, like m for minor and 7 for seventh chords. Major chords usually will not have anything next to the letter, but a triangle signifies a major chord. A C△7   is a major chord with the 7th note also being in 

the scale.

MAJOR CHORDS

Root, third, fifth using the notes in the scale. For example, a Bb chord would be Bb, D, F. An F chord would be F, A, C. An Eb chord would be Eb, G, Bb (because there are 3 flats in the scale). A D chord would be D, F#, A (because there are 2 sharps in the scale).

Knowing your scales are really important and helpful when reading chord progressions in music. You will hear right away if you play a note that isn't in the scale, but remember, move up or down a half step and it will sound fine.

C Major

• Root - C

• Third - E

• Fifth - G

C Minor

• Root - C

• Third - Eb

• Fifth - G

Seven Chords (Tetrads)

Five Fundamental tetrads and their chord symbols are:

CM7 - C major 7

C7 - Dominant 7

Cm7 - minor 7

Cm7b5 - minor 7, Flat 5

C○7 - diminished 7

C⊘7 - half diminished 7

C Major 7th - CM7

• Root - C

• Third - E

• Fifth - G

• 7th - B

C Dominant 7 Chord - C7

• Root - C

• 3rd - E

• 5th - G

• 7th - Bb

• The 7th is lowered when it isn't a major chord

C Minor 7th - Cm7

• Root - C

• 3rd - Eb

• Fifth - g

• 7th - Bb

C minor 7, Flat 5 - Cm7b5

• Root - C

• 3rd - Eb (minor)

• 5th - Gb (lowered 5th)

• 7th - Bb (lowered 7th)

C Diminished 7 - C○7

• Root - C

• 3rd - Eb (lowered 3rd)

• 5th - Gb (lowered 5th)

• 7th - Bbb (double flatted = A)

C Half Diminished 7 - C⊘7

• Root - C

• 3rd - Eb (lowered)

• 5th - Gb (lowered)

• 7th - Bb (dominant 7th)

What chords look like in the music

I will write them out and show you

Wrapping things up

• Know your scales

• Practice playing the chords note by note

• Try making ideas up with just those 3-4 notes

• Start slow and small. Add other notes in and see what feels and sounds right.

• Play along with a backing track. You will find out quickly which notes work and which ones just don't sound right.