Advanced
Chords and progressions
Triads, inversions, scale degrees and the most common progressions.
Learn
1.The four triads
A triad is three notes stacked in thirds: root, 3rd and 5th.
Major = major 3rd + minor 3rd (bright). Minor = minor 3rd + major 3rd (dark). Diminished = two minor 3rds (tense). Augmented = two major 3rds (unstable).
2.Inversions
The same three notes can be stacked differently. What matters is which note is at the bottom (in the bass).
Root position: root at the bottom. 1st inversion: the 3rd at the bottom. 2nd inversion: the 5th at the bottom.
3.Scale degrees and functions
A chord can be built on each note of the scale and is named with Roman numerals. In major: I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii° (uppercase = major, lowercase = minor).
The three pillars: I (tonic) = rest, IV (subdominant) = moving away, V (dominant) = tension that wants to resolve to I.
4.Basic progressions
A progression is a series of chords. Three you’ll hear everywhere:
I–IV–V–I (folk songs, classic rock) · I–V–vi–IV (pop) · ii–V–I (jazz).
I–V–vi–IV in C major.
Practice
Exercise 1 of 5 · Pick one