Chords pt2

[ChordGuy]

Why do some chord work well together?

There are some reasons chords in a progression will work.

Common Tones
If you play an E chord followed by an A chord they work very well together. The two chords have a note in common.
The E chord has an E an G# and a B (root, third, fifth). The A chord has a A a C# and an E. The root of the A chord becomes the fifth of the A chord. Many chord movements have a common tone, sometimes more than one.

Moving tones
The third of the E chord, a G#, moves or resolves 1 semitone or fret to the root of the A chord.

The fifth of the E chord, a B is replaced with a C#, the third of the A chord. You can also think of this as moving a melodic interval of a second.

Moving lines
Sometimes the sequence or progression of chords will create a moving line that leads the ear. Like F F#dim C/G A.
In this example the bass line moves F to F# to G to A. The slash chord, C/G, is a C with a G in the lowest voice. Nothing like slash chords to send guitarists running LOL. Lines are not just found in the bass but harmonically and melodically as well.

Heres where I got that progression played by Eric Clapton. I love his guitar solo, the sound is great and the “over bend” he uses gives me goose bumps… and it’s just the sound check.

Gordo

[6stringer Pete]

Thanks Gordo.
One of my favorite short chord progression is the barr F to barr G# to barr C chord, sounds so good to my ears.

The melody of the notes is what expresses the art of music . 🙂 6stringerPete

It really is all about ”melody”. The melody comes from a language from our heart. Our heart is the muscle in music harmony. The melody is the sweetness that it pumps into our musical thoughts on the fretboard. 🙂 6 stringer Pete

Pete
Active Melody
Forum Moderator

[Author]

Posts