Chord progressions form the backbone of any great song. To gain an understanding of their inner workings, it may help to start with one of the easiest chords: a triad.
C – G – Am – D: This chord sequence has been used by several legendary artists, including David Bowie on “Space Oddity.” (R.I.P)
Minor triads offer a melancholic and sad tone, and are more stable with an absolute fifth chord present.
Triads
Chord progressions are the cornerstone of every song. A carefully orchestrated series of chords can create the foundation for melodies that span genres or styles of music, so understanding these basics is vital if you want to write your own tunes or simply improve existing skillset. We will start by exploring three of the most widely used chord progressions – I, IV and V chords.
Triads Triads are the simplest type of chord, composed of three notes stacked vertically into thirds. The first note in a triad is called its root while its other two members are known as its third and fifth notes respectively. Triads are highly useful as they’re used across various musical genres and make up much of the notes you hear on radio broadcasts.
Every time a chord appears in sheet music, it will typically be written using thirds. This is because scales are constructed diatonically – meaning each note is spaced a specific number of seconds apart from one another – so when transitioning from note to note you create thirds. This arrangement of chords is standard across most musical genres and also how most simple guitar chords are written.
Root notes of triads serve as their tonal center or home in music, while simultaneously serving as its name and identity. A C major chord, for instance, consists of three notes in C major with E and G added on top. This basic triad can be found across many styles of music.
Secondary Chords
Once you master triads, it is time to move on to more complex chords. One of the most widely-used secondary chords is known as a diminished triad; this type of secondary chord consists of adding one note which is one third lower than its root note – for instance a D minor triad might include D root with F and A added on top – creating what is known as a minor third that creates an upsetting or melancholic sound.
Augmenting a triad can create an unnerving dissonant sound when applied in jazz music; adding a note which is five steps higher creates more of an uneasy, discordant tone than its major or minor counterparts.
Primary Chords
A primary chord is any chord which begins at the root of a scale and contains a perfect fifth (seven frets or three-and-a-half tones above it). It is among the most widely used in Western music and considered one of the most stable major, minor, and diminished triads – however this doesn’t make it the most versatile; many players find other harmonic structures more useful as they provide strong harmonic support regardless of key.