Major Chords
Chord Progressions
When multiple chords are combined and played in a sequence they form a Chord Progression. Progressions form good exercises which help in shifting from one chord to the other. Playing a progression smoothly without any gaps while changing is the biggest challenge for any learner. Many a times Progressions are the starting point in creating a song. You could do these exercises to gain control over all your Major Chords.
Use 4 downstrokes on each Chord. Choose a slow tempo to begin with making sure each chord sounds clean. Click on the audio player to hear each individual Chord progression.
Use 4 downstrokes on each Chord. Choose a slow tempo to begin with making sure each chord sounds clean. Click on the audio player to hear each individual Chord progression.
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Minor Chords
Minor Chord Progressions
We use the same strumming pattern. 4 downstrokes on each Chord.
1) Cm | Fm | Gm| Cm
2) Gm | Cm | Dm | Gm
3) Dm | Gm | Am | Dm
4) Am | Dm | Em | Am
5) Em |Am | Bm | Em
6) Bm | Em | F#m | Bm
7) F#m | Bm | C#m | F#m
8) C#m |F#m | G#m | C#m
9) Fm | Bbm | Cm | Fm
10) Bbm | Ebm | Fm | Bbm
11) Ebm | Abm | Bbm | Ebm
12) Abm | Dbm | Ebm | Abm
1) Cm | Fm | Gm| Cm
2) Gm | Cm | Dm | Gm
3) Dm | Gm | Am | Dm
4) Am | Dm | Em | Am
5) Em |Am | Bm | Em
6) Bm | Em | F#m | Bm
7) F#m | Bm | C#m | F#m
8) C#m |F#m | G#m | C#m
9) Fm | Bbm | Cm | Fm
10) Bbm | Ebm | Fm | Bbm
11) Ebm | Abm | Bbm | Ebm
12) Abm | Dbm | Ebm | Abm
Chord Progressions using Major and Minor Chords
Below are chord Progressions exercises in a couple of keys. Feel free to try out progressions in other keys as well. The more keys you practice the better it is for you!
Key of C1) C | Dm | F | G
2) C | Em | F | G 3) C | Am | F | G 4) C | F |Dm | G 5) C | F | Em | G 6) C |F | Am | G 7) C | G | Dm | F 8) C |G |Em | F 9) C |G | Am | F 10) C |Am | Dm | G |
Key of G1) G | Am | C | D
2) G | Bm | C | D 3) G | Em | C | D 4) G | C | Am | D 5) G | C | Bm | D 6) G | C | Em | D 7) G | D | Am | C 8) G | D | Bm | C 9) G | D | Em | C 10) G | Em | Am | D |
Finding Chords in a particular Key
Its important to know that each key houses 3 major, 3 minor chords & 1 diminished chord. We'll get to the diminished chords later. Also remember that every thing in Music has a formula to it. Eg - A Major scale has a certain formula, a Major chord has a formula, a Minor chord has a formula and so on.
So, Chords that are found in a certain Key is the direct result of the the notes that are derived by applying the formula!
For eg - The formula of a Major Chord is 1-3-5. In the Key of C, if you play the 1st (C), 3rd (E) and 5th (G) note together you get a C Major Chord.
For more on Chord Formulas click here.
You can choose to memorize the following -
1) Chord formed on the 1st degree is a MAJOR - IM
2) Chord formed on the 2nd degee is a MINOR - IIm
3) Chord formed on the 3rd degee is a MINOR - IIIm
4) Chord formed on the 4th degee is a MAJOR - IVM
5) Chord formed on the 5th degee is a MAJOR - VM
6) Chord formed on the 6th degee is a MINOR - VIm
7) Chord formed on the 7th degee is a DIMINISHED - VIIdim
Please note that it is absolutely essential that you know the notes in each Key or Scale.
Lets apply the formula in a few keys to see what chords we get -
Chords in the Key of C - C - Dm - Em - F - G - Am - B dim
Chords in the Key of G - G - Am - Bm - C - D - Em - F#dim
Chords in the Key of F - F - Gm - Am - Bb - C - Dm - Edim
Work this idea with other keys and try and figure out Chords in all of the twelve keys!
So, Chords that are found in a certain Key is the direct result of the the notes that are derived by applying the formula!
For eg - The formula of a Major Chord is 1-3-5. In the Key of C, if you play the 1st (C), 3rd (E) and 5th (G) note together you get a C Major Chord.
For more on Chord Formulas click here.
You can choose to memorize the following -
1) Chord formed on the 1st degree is a MAJOR - IM
2) Chord formed on the 2nd degee is a MINOR - IIm
3) Chord formed on the 3rd degee is a MINOR - IIIm
4) Chord formed on the 4th degee is a MAJOR - IVM
5) Chord formed on the 5th degee is a MAJOR - VM
6) Chord formed on the 6th degee is a MINOR - VIm
7) Chord formed on the 7th degee is a DIMINISHED - VIIdim
Please note that it is absolutely essential that you know the notes in each Key or Scale.
Lets apply the formula in a few keys to see what chords we get -
Chords in the Key of C - C - Dm - Em - F - G - Am - B dim
Chords in the Key of G - G - Am - Bm - C - D - Em - F#dim
Chords in the Key of F - F - Gm - Am - Bb - C - Dm - Edim
Work this idea with other keys and try and figure out Chords in all of the twelve keys!