Unchained Melody is an iconic love song that has become one of the most-recorded tracks ever. With emotive lyrics and captivating melodies that draw listeners in, Unchained Melody stands as a true masterpiece.
This song employs a popular chord progression known as the ’50s progression’ which can also be found in classic love songs. It’s easy to play on guitar and an excellent way to improve fretting hand practice.
1. D Major
D Major is an increasingly popular musical key, featured in songs such as Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” and The Beatles’s “Let It Be”. A song’s key serves as a guide for selecting notes and chords which will harmonise harmoniously together for optimal musical bliss when played together.
Music’s rhythm depends on piano chords. A note alone is just noise; but when two tones come together or in sequence, your brain interprets this relationship as music. That is why mastering piano chords by key is such an invaluable asset when learning or writing songs; all major scales can be divided into two major tetrachords with 2-2-1 patterns which are much simpler to remember than 7 or 8-note patterns.
2. C Major
C Major is one of the most frequently-used keys in pop, rock and country music, often featured in songs by Carly Rae Jepsen (Call Me Maybe), The Bloodhound Gang (The Bad Touch) and Cee Lo Green (Forget You).
As with other major scales, this one octave scale does not contain flats or sharps. To play it, start at C with your pinky finger (finger 5) pressing down each key as you ascend the fretboard.
Start learning songs in C with Chumbara and Rameau’s Minuet in C from Unit 9, two beginner to intermediate pieces suitable for new players. More advanced players may add subtlety and emotion by pairing it with relative minor chords for added depth and emotion in their song.
3. A Major
A major chords are an essential part of any guitarist’s toolbox, offering warm tones that perfectly compliment melodic structures of songs – creating an oasis of musical bliss!
Melodies exist as intervals; when coupled with chord progressions, however, our brain recognizes their relationship and interprets it as music. Thus learning chord progressions for song melodies can be transformative experience that not only improves your guitar playing but will help develop your musicianship as a whole.
Practice fingerstyle techniques like hammer-ons and pull-offs to add more advanced interpretation to your rendition, as well as to vary the intensity of your strumming to reflect different emotions in songs.
4. G Major
G Major chord is one of the most frequently employed in songwriting. It can be found at scale degrees 1, 4, and 5. As it works well with both minor and major chords, this key can provide inspiration when writing lyrics.
A major is an uplifting, sweet chord which helps close out this harmonic cycle while being visually stunning in itself.
Unchained Melody will enable you to expand your strumming techniques while familiarizing yourself with a classic tune that has touched so many. By diving into this timeless piece, not only will your musical skills progress but so will your appreciation of its profound power.
5. E Major
E Major is an extremely popular chord, appearing in 44% of songs analyzed in Hook Theory. Although its scores for Chord Complexity, Melodic Complexity, Chord-Melody Tension and Chord Progression Novelty fall below average scores, E Major still offers numerous uses in your songwriting arsenal.
This chord is based on the first degree of E major scale and requires practice to master its unique finger pattern. Like all CAGED patterns, it connects adjacent positions up and down the fretboard – shortening distance between chords.
This chord can be found in various genres of music, from classical love songs and do-wop tunes to dopey 12 bar blues progression. Furthermore, its presence adds intensity and highlights an expanding song’s emotions.