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Do you ever wonder why certain chords sound good together while others don't? Understanding chord functions is the key to unlocking the mystery behind this question. Chord functions refer to the role that chords play within a song or a chord progression. By understanding chord functions, you can create more interesting and harmonically rich chord progressions, improvise more effectively, and write better songs. In this comprehensive guide, we will take a deep dive into the world of chord functions and explore everything you need to know to start using them in your music
Introduction: The Importance of Understanding Chord Functions
Understanding chord functions is essential for any musician, whether you are a beginner or an experienced player. Chord functions are the building blocks of music theory, and they provide a framework for understanding how chords work together to create different moods and emotions in a song. By understanding chord functions, you can:
Build more interesting and complex chord progressions
Use chord substitutions to add variety to your playing
Understand how to solo over chord progressions
Write better songs with stronger harmonies
In short, understanding chord functions is essential if you want to become a better musician.
C Major Chords: A Primer
To illustrate chord function, let's use the example of the C major scale. The C major scale consists of seven notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. Each of these notes can be used to create a chord, resulting in the following set of C major chords:
C Major (I)
D Minor (ii)
E Minor (iii)
F Major (IV)
G Major (V)
A Minor (vi)
B Diminished (vii˚)
As you can see, each chord is labeled with a Roman numeral. This system is used to classify chords by their function rather than by the individual notes they contain.
The Basics of Chord Functions
Before we dive deeper into the world of chord functions, let's start with the basics. There are three main chord functions:
Tonic: The tonic chord is the "home" chord of a song or a key. It provides a sense of resolution and stability. In a major key, the tonic chord is the I chord, and in a minor key, it is the I chord. In addition to the I chord, the iii- and vi- chords are also considered tonic chords. In the C major scale, the iii- chord contains the tones E and G, both from the tonic chord, while the vi- chord contains the third as well as the tonic note itself. Both of these chords sound similar to the tonic chord and have a stable, restful quality.
Dominant: The dominant chord is the chord that leads to the tonic chord. It creates tension and a sense of anticipation. In a major key, the dominant chord is the V chord, and in a minor key, it is the v chord. In addition to the V chord, the vii˚ is also considered a dominant chord. In the C major scale, the dominant chords, V7 and vii˚, contain the tones "F" and "B", which create the maximum amount of conflict and tension. These two tones want to resolve to the tones "E" and "C" respectively, tones in the tonic chord. This expectation is the reason why the chord will often be followed by a tonic, which will contain the expected notes and complete the resolution. The V7 chord is used much more often than the vii˚ chord for reasons that we won't explore here.
Subdominant: The subdominant chord provides a sense of departure from the tonic chord. It creates a feeling of movement and instability. In a major key, the subdominant chord is the IV chord, and in a minor key, it is the iv chord. In addition to the IV chord, the ii is also considered a subdominant chord. In the C major scale,the subdominant chords, IV and ii-, contain the note "F", which creates a gravitational pull away from the tonic chord. They also do not contain the tone "B", which is a strong tone that tends to create the expectation of resolving up to C. These chords have a stronger pull than tonic chords but a weaker pull than dominant chords. They are stable enough to go almost anywhere in a chord progression and often resolve back to the I chord without the need for a dominant chord
These three functions are the foundation of chord progressions, and they provide a roadmap for creating interesting and harmonically rich chord progressions.
Using Chord Functions in Chord Progressions
Now that we have a basic understanding of chord functions, let's explore how they can be used in chord progressions.
Progressions Based on the Tonic Function
The most common type of chord progression is one that is based on the tonic function. These progressions start and end on the tonic chord and use other chords to create tension and release.
One of the simplest tonic-based progressions is the I-IV-V progression (Click here for examples) . In a major key, this progression would use the I, IV, and V chords (for example, C, F, and G in the key of C major). This progression is used in countless songs and provides a solid foundation for improvisation and songwriting.
Another common tonic-based progression is the I-vi-IV-V progression (Click here for examples). This progression is used in many pop and rock songs and creates a sense of nostalgia and longing.
Progressions Based on the Dominant Function
Dominant-based progressions use the dominant chord to create a sense of tension and anticipation. One of the most common dominant-based progressions is the ii-V-I progression.
In the key of C major, the ii-V-I progression would be Dm7-G7-Cmaj7. The ii chord (Dm7) serves the subdominant function, the V chord (G7) serves the dominant function, and the I chord (Cmaj7) serves the tonic function.
This progression is used in many jazz and blues songs and creates a sense of resolution and closure when played in a loop. It's also a great progression to use for improvisation as it provides a solid harmonic foundation to build on.
Another common dominant-based progression is the V-IV-I progression. This progression starts on the dominant (V), then moves to the subdominant (IV), and finally to the tonic (I). This progression is used in many rock and pop songs and creates a sense of energy and excitement.
Progressions Based on the Subdominant Function
Progressions based on the subdominant function use the subdominant chord as the foundation of the progression. These progressions provide a sense of tension and movement away from the tonic, creating a feeling of anticipation and expectation.
The most basic progression based on the subdominant function is the IV-V-I progression. This progression starts on the subdominant (IV), moves to the dominant (V), and then resolves back to the tonic (I). In the key of C major, this would be Fmaj7-G7-Cmaj7.
This progression is often used in blues and rock music and provides a sense of tension and release. The IV chord (Fmaj7) creates a sense of anticipation and movement away from the tonic (Cmaj7), while the V chord (G7) provides a strong sense of resolution when it finally resolves back to the tonic.
Other Progressions Based on the Subdominant Function
Another common progression based on the subdominant function is the ii-V-I progression. This progression starts on the supertonic (ii), moves to the dominant (V), and then resolves back to the tonic (I). In the key of C major, this would be Dm7-G7-Cmaj7.
This progression is often used in jazz music and provides a sense of tension and release. The ii chord (Dm7) provides a bit of contrast and tension before resolving to the dominant (G7), which creates a strong sense of resolution when it finally resolves back to the tonic (Cmaj7).
Using Chord Functions for Songwriting
Understanding chord functions is essential for songwriting. By using different chord functions, you can create a variety of moods and emotions in your songs.
For example, if you want to create a sense of tension and anticipation, you can use a dominant-based progression. If you want to create a sense of nostalgia and longing, you can use a subdominant-based progression. And if you want to create a sense of stability and resolution, you can use a tonic-based progression.
Experimenting with different chord functions is a great way to develop your songwriting skills and create more interesting and dynamic songs.
Chord Substitutions
Chord substitutions are a powerful tool for creating variety in your playing and writing. A chord substitution is when you replace one chord in a progression with another chord that serves the same function.
For example, you can substitute a ii chord for a IV chord in a ii-V-I progression, or a vi chord for a iii chord in a I-vi-IV-V progression. These substitutions can add new colors and flavors to your progressions and make them more interesting and unique.
FAQs
What is the difference between chord functions and chord progressions?
Chord functions refer to the role that chords play within a song or a chord progression, while chord progressions are a series of chords played in a specific order.
Can chord functions be used in all genres of music?
Yes, chord functions are a fundamental concept in music theory and can be used in any genre of music.
How do I know which chords to use in a progression?
You can use chord functions as a guide to choosing chords for a progression. Start with the tonic chord and use other chords that serve the dominant and subdominant functions to create tension and release.
Can I use chord substitutions in any chord progression?
Yes, chord substitutions can be used in any chord progression, but it's important to use them in a way that complements the overall sound and feel of the progression.
How can I practice using chord functions in my playing and writing?
Start by analyzing the chord progressions of songs you like and identify the chord functions used. Then try writing your own progressions using different chord functions.
What is the most important thing to keep in mind when using chord functions?
The most important thing is to use chord functions as a tool to create interesting and harmonically rich progressions, but not to let them restrict your creativity.
Conclusion
Understanding chord functions is essential for any musician who wants to create interesting and harmonically rich music. By using different chord functions and chord substitutions, you can create a variety of moods and emotions in your playing and writing. So start experimenting with chord functions today and take your music to the next level.
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