Chord Progressions -- Part Two

Last week we defined what a chord progression is, and how to use one to create a new song, improvisation, or piece. If you recall, we kept the same chords, but changed both the rhythm and the melody so that the original chord progression is not really recognizeable -- at least not to those who don't know about chords and progressions. (Last week's issue is re-printed at the bottom of this issue, in case you missed it, or need to review.)

This week I want to share with you the most-used chord progression in the world, bar none. It's been called the "We Want Cantor" progression, the "Blue Moon" progression, the "Heart and Soul" progression, and other names. I'm going to call it the "2 kids at a piano" progression. The reason I call it that is because when I was a kid I used to play this progression (long before I knew what a progression was!) as a duet along with my brother, or my cousin, or a friend. I'm not a kid anymore, and yet I still hear that progression over and over and over again anytime there is a piano sitting around and a couple kids in the room. One kid takes the top part (the melody),

and the other kid plays the bottom part (the chord progression).

You've heard it too. At least a zillion times.

The formula is easy: I VI II V

In other words, one measure of the I chord, one measure of the VI chord, one measure of the II chord, and one measure of the V chord. And then repeat as many times as you want, or until some adult says "Would you kids please stop banging on

that piano?"

So in the key of C, that would translate to:

I=C

VI=A

II=D

V=G

In the key of F:

I=F

VI=D

II=G

V=C

In the key of G:

I=G

VI=E

II=A

V=D

In the key of Bb:

I=Bb

VI=G

II=C

V=F

In the key of Eb:

I=Eb

VI=C

II=F

V=Bb

In the key of Ab:

I=Ab

VI=F

II=Bb

V=Eb

In the key of Db:

I=Db

VI=Bb

II=Eb

V=Ab

In the key of Gb:

I=Gb

VI=Eb

II=Ab

V=Db

In the key of B:

I=B

VI=G#

II=C#

V=F#

In the key of E:

I= E

VI=C#

II=F#

V=B

In the key of A:

I= A

VI=F#

II=B

V=E

In the key of D:

I=D

VI=B

II=E

V=A

(And of course, the same would be true in enharmonic keys such as C#, F#, and so on.)

There are many variations to this progression. Usually the two "middle chords -- the VI and the II -- are played as minor chords, and are then known as vi and ii (use small Roman numerals for minor chords). Usually, too, all the chords except the I chord have a 7th in them --in other words, in the key of C:

C Am7 Dm7 G7

You can experiement around and find combinations you like -- you're not obligated to use the same exact chords as everyone else!

You know by know, too, that you can use 1/2 step slides as connective chords between the main chords. For example, if I was playing the progression listed above,

I might insert a Bb7 between C and Am7. That would let me "slide in" to Am7 in a smooth fashion. Or I might slide into G7 from below -- Gb7 up to G7 -- or from above --Ab7 to G7. Or I might slide into C the second time around: G7 Db7 C.

So starting with this:

C Am7 Dm7 G7

....I might end up with this:

C Bb7 Am7 Eb7 Dm7 Gb7 G7 Db7 C

Quite a difference!

Experiment around and see what you can come up with. Slide up to chords and down to chords. Make some minor and some major. Add 7ths, and if you know how, add 9ths.

But whatever you do, get this chord progression down cold so you can play it in any key, and recognize it when you hear it. It's used in a thousand songs, and you can be sure that it will continue to be used in the future in new and creative ways!

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