In a musical composition, a chord progression or harmonic progression is a succession of chords. Chord progressions are the foundation of harmony in Western musical tradition from 1600s music to the 21st century. Chord progressions are the foundation of popular music styles (e.g., pop music, rock music), traditional music, as well as genres such as blues and jazz.

Understanding chord progressions is the key to understanding your favorite songs, and writing your own tunes. Since it’s very unusual for an artist or a band to write music only in major or minor keys, we need to have a good understanding of both.

In this article, we’ll have a look at progressions that are using 2 chords, 3 chords, 4 chords (with song examples for each one of them), and a few more complicated progressions. We will also discuss how to create chord progressions.

(If you are new to the concept of scale degrees, click here)

Common Minor Key Chord Progressions

A. i - bVII - bVI - V (Am - G - F - E)

The Andalusian cadence is one of the most used chord progressions in minor keys. The Andalusian cadence is a term adopted from flamenco music. Many songs use this chord progression such as:

Citizen Erased - Muse

In this case, instead of chords, we have a riff that follows the progression with the use of a pedal tone (A).

China Girl - David Bowie. (Brake)

Sultans Of Swing - Dire Straits (Verse)

14 Years - Guns N' Roses

B. i - bVII - bVI - bVii (Am - G - F - G)

This is a very common minor key progression, and it’s a variation of the Andalusian cadence (Instead of the bVI - V movement we have bVI - bVII). Many pop and rock songs use this chord progression such as :

Stairway To Heaven - Led Zeppelin (Solo section and afterward)

Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix (Throughout the song)

In The Air Tonight- Phill Collins

Rolling In The Deep - Adele (Chorus)

C. i - bVI - V (Am - F - E)

Another common minor key progression derives from the Andalusian cadence, this time by omitting the bVII. Here are some songs that use this chord progression:

Smooth - Carlos Santana (Intro)

Sweet Dreams -Eurythmics (Into - Verse)

Toxicity - System of a Down (Intro)

D. ii - V - i (Bdim - E - Am)

A very common chord progression in Jazz.

Summertime - George Gershwin

Tune Up - Miles Davis

Stella by Starlight - Victor Young

E. i - bVI - bIII - bVII (Am - F - C - G)

Zombie - The Cranberries

Hello - Adele

Save Tonight - Eagle Eye Cherry

F. i - bVII

We Are The Champions - Queen

Walking On The Moon - The Police

King Of Pain - The Police

Advanced Minor Key Chord Progressions

A, IV - bVII - III - bVI - iidim - V - I (Dm - G - C - F - Bdim - E - Am)

The circle of 5ths is a good vehicle to write melancholic melodies over it. Due to its long duration, and with the constant V - I movement you get an unresolved feeling.

Still Got The Blues - Gary Moore

Fly Me To The Moon- Bart Howard

I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

You Never Give Me Your Money - The Beatles

Creating Your Own Minor Key Chord Progressions

Although you can use a chord progression to build a song or combine 2 or more for different parts of your song, you can also experiment and change a progression to your liking.

How To Change A Chord Progression

A. Chords Substitution

The concept of chord substitution can vary greatly from very simple to quite complex. You can change a chord by using another chord from the same chord family or borrow a chord from a different key (modal interchange) or use secondary dominants, just to name a few.

Here are some examples:

1. Borrowed Chords

In this example, we have the i- bVII - bVI - bVII progression as a starting point.

In the 3rd bar, we temporarily change the sixth-degree chord of the minor key, with the sixth-degree chord of the A major scale

Chords of the A major Scale:

I - ii - iii - IV - V - vi - viidim

A Bm C#m D E F#m G#dim

Original Progression Audio

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Modified Progression Audio

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2. Substitution From The Same Chord Family

In this case, we substitute the second chord (G) with the Em chord. They both belong to the same Chord Family, the Dominant in this case.

Original Progression Audio

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Modified Progression Audio

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B. Inversions

Inversions are an interesting way to alter the sound of a given progression.

Here are some examples:

Original Progression Audio

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Modified Progression Audio 1

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Modified Progression Audio 2

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C. Other

1. Upper extensions will change the sound of your chords and will have an impact on the sound of your chord progression.

2. Start the sequence from a different chord.

3. Choosing an unusual meter or rhythm can be very effective too.

How To Use Chord Progressions In The Context Of A Song

When it comes to the usage of chord progressions in a song, your imagination is the limit. You can use a progression as it is, or use any of the techniques mentioned in the previous chapter to alter the sound of a given progression (you can use more than one).

One good exercise is to Rewrite The Hits. Choose a song that you like and follow these steps.

1. Keep the original melody and try to change the chords of the song. After that, you will have a different harmonic background.

2. Then compose a melody for your new chord progression.

Chances are that your first experiment won't match your favorite songs, but you will gain a much better understanding of how these 2 components work together. Every time you repeat this process you will discover something new and eventually, you will become a much better songwriter.

You must not forget that the chords are only one part of the sound. You have to combine them with an effective rhythm and a strong melody.

Conclusion

The importance of understanding how chord progressions work should be obvious by now to any aspiring songwriter or performer. There is so much to say about this huge topic that we have only scratched the surface in this article

The benefits of learning chord progressions are many. One of them is that it makes learning songs easier, and another one is that it's a good starting point for songwriting, just to name a few.

Additionally, you should read some good music theory books to expand your musical knowledge and gain a broader perspective on chord progressions