Chord progressions are a good way to remove composer’s block, where you stare at the keyboard and can’t think of anything to compose. A chord progression is the movement of one chord to a subsequent chord in a repeating fashion. They can be of any length, but the most common length of a chord progression is 4 chords. Chord progressions are used to add harmony to the composition. The underlying harmony of a piece can change the entire mood of the composition.
C major | D minor | E minor | F major | G major | A minor | B diminished |
I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii° |
The Roman Numerals are widely used because they allow the composer to start on any note. If you wished to start on the key of D instead, then D major would become your I chord. Likewise, if you wanted to start on the key of F sharp, then F sharp major would be your I chord. Roman numerals allow the composer to start on any major scale.
A traditional major chord is composed of a minor third on top of a major third. For example, C major is C, E, G. C to E is a major third and E to G is a minor third.
A traditional minor chord is the opposite. It has a major third on top of a minor third. For example, D minor is D, F, A. D to F is a minor third and F to A is a major third.