Quick chord progression guide
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- KVRian
- 1408 posts since 9 May, 2003 from Manchester, UK
Guys, firstly, thanks for posting that chart. Interesting, and first time I have seen it. However, there have been a few (rather spicy) threads aound technicalities in music recently, and whilst I argued very much against a requirement for the knowledge, I also took on board a lot of the positive aspects for knowing more re scales/harmony etc. Therefore, please don't take this the wrong way:
This circle would seem to directly contradict any aspirations of creativity.
For instance, why would I need to know where to go for the next chord?
My way of working is to come up with a melody - something will pop into my head - then pick up a guitar/keyboard and find the root chord. The melody will dictate where I go next, NOT a conventional tool like this circle.
For example, I wrote a guitar based tune recently, that started on Emaj. The next chord - to compliment the melody - was actually C. So, a 2 chord verse riff of Emaj - Cmaj. IF ... I were to have been guiided by this circle, then I would have gone to A - - and presumably changed the melody to suit? Thereby being bounded by convention and avoiding gut instinct/raw creativity.
As I said, not looking for an argument, just a considered response to my concern. Unless .... this circle is to be used purely alongside a 'Bert Weedon for beginners' book????
This circle would seem to directly contradict any aspirations of creativity.
For instance, why would I need to know where to go for the next chord?
My way of working is to come up with a melody - something will pop into my head - then pick up a guitar/keyboard and find the root chord. The melody will dictate where I go next, NOT a conventional tool like this circle.
For example, I wrote a guitar based tune recently, that started on Emaj. The next chord - to compliment the melody - was actually C. So, a 2 chord verse riff of Emaj - Cmaj. IF ... I were to have been guiided by this circle, then I would have gone to A - - and presumably changed the melody to suit? Thereby being bounded by convention and avoiding gut instinct/raw creativity.
As I said, not looking for an argument, just a considered response to my concern. Unless .... this circle is to be used purely alongside a 'Bert Weedon for beginners' book????
Last edited by Manc Chris on Thu Jan 20, 2005 5:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
http://chrisamusic.bandcamp.com/
"It's square to be hip"
"It's square to be hip"
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Reverse Engineer Reverse Engineer https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=9129
- KVRAF
- 4968 posts since 23 Sep, 2003 from Glasgow
I've heard some of the music from some of the people on here who seem to know a great deal about the technicalities of music, but what they make is utter shite.
I don't think i need to add any more to that.
Edit: ...Although I ought to add this applies in the professional world too.
I don't think i need to add any more to that.
Edit: ...Although I ought to add this applies in the professional world too.
Last edited by Reverse Engineer on Thu Jan 20, 2005 5:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- KVRAF
- 7879 posts since 16 Apr, 2003 from -on the outside looking in
any tips about how to get this to fromat correctly in word for a cut/paste/print?
Should I just print the webpage?
Eitherway, thank you.
Should I just print the webpage?
Eitherway, thank you.
..what goes around comes around..
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- Banned
- 12367 posts since 30 Apr, 2002 from i might peeramid
what.. the ecstasy of 'working withing the confines of a set of impositions' doesn't translate?Makeshift Hammer wrote:I've heard some of the music from some of the people on here who seem to know a great deal about the technicalities of music, but what they make is utter shite.
you come and go, you come and go. amitabha neither a follower nor a leader be tagore "where roads are made i lose my way" where there is certainty, consideration is absent.
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- KVRian
- 534 posts since 18 Mar, 2002 from france
if you print the webpage make sure to click the 'printable version' link underneath the last post on the page... that way you just have b+wouroboros wrote:any tips about how to get this to fromat correctly in word for a cut/paste/print?
Should I just print the webpage?
Eitherway, thank you.
galaxy rayyys! powerful.
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- KVRian
- 534 posts since 18 Mar, 2002 from france
1 not everything has to be extasyxoxos wrote:what.. the ecstasy of 'working withing the confines of a set of impositions' doesn't translate?Makeshift Hammer wrote:I've heard some of the music from some of the people on here who seem to know a great deal about the technicalities of music, but what they make is utter shite.
and
2 sometimes guidelines = efficiency
edit: i rushed this without reading the whole thing.
but don't let me get in the way of your fight against being a human being.
Last edited by splattabreakz on Thu Jan 20, 2005 5:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
galaxy rayyys! powerful.
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Reverse Engineer Reverse Engineer https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=9129
- KVRAF
- 4968 posts since 23 Sep, 2003 from Glasgow
Whatever...... These debates arise here continuously and end up meaning f**k all in the long run (that's why they keep coming back time and again.)
I'm away to get some sleep.
I'm away to get some sleep.
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- KVRAF
- 13444 posts since 14 Nov, 2000 from Hannover / Germany
Last time I used it it's been some Eb7/#9. Didn't resolve to Abmaj7 properly though...Makeshift Hammer wrote: It's very melodic, pleasant on the ears, but so is silence. what chord is that in?
There are 3 kinds of people:
Those who can do maths and those who can't.
Those who can do maths and those who can't.
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- Banned
- 12367 posts since 30 Apr, 2002 from i might peeramid
splattabreakz wrote: but don't let me get in the way of your fight against being a human being.
you come and go, you come and go. amitabha neither a follower nor a leader be tagore "where roads are made i lose my way" where there is certainty, consideration is absent.
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- KVRAF
- 7879 posts since 16 Apr, 2003 from -on the outside looking in
Thanks!splattabreakz wrote: if you print the webpage make sure to click the 'printable version' link underneath the last post on the page... that way you just have b+w
..what goes around comes around..
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- KVRAF
- 8389 posts since 11 Apr, 2003 from back on the hillside again - but now with a garden!
for myself, I'll use whatever is around. I know the circle of fifths well, and it is useful when stuck..
for instance, I've used the aforementioned E->C transition (going C->E is quite Beatles btw..), but then followed convention with an F->G, but then defyed it with A, but that allows a plagal cadence back to E. At a later point it moves to a B to make more tension that is broken by returning to the E.
Generally you'll find that you write stuff that works, and later find out why: either because it obeys some rules, or because it breaks them.
Taking the E->C thing, the C could be being used as a replacement for Am7, which could suggest an altered I-IV progression (movement by 5th), rather than the I-VI (movement within the same chord group). Who cares! Play what works!!
DSP
for instance, I've used the aforementioned E->C transition (going C->E is quite Beatles btw..), but then followed convention with an F->G, but then defyed it with A, but that allows a plagal cadence back to E. At a later point it moves to a B to make more tension that is broken by returning to the E.
Generally you'll find that you write stuff that works, and later find out why: either because it obeys some rules, or because it breaks them.
Taking the E->C thing, the C could be being used as a replacement for Am7, which could suggest an altered I-IV progression (movement by 5th), rather than the I-VI (movement within the same chord group). Who cares! Play what works!!
DSP
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Stupid American Pig Stupid American Pig https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=4753
- KVRAF
- 7065 posts since 25 Nov, 2002 from not sure
That doesnt mean that you arent playing in some key. The circle of 5ths is very much a beginners tool. Once you learn that, you build on that. And when you add different scales, Mixolydan, blues, etc. that is when you start adding different chords that modulate the key...Manc Chris wrote:Guys, firstly, thanks for posting that chart. Interesting, and first time I have seen it. However, there have been a few (rather spicy) threads aound technicalities in music recently, and whilst I argued very much against a requirement for the knowledge, I also took on board a lot of the positive aspects for knowing more re scales/harmony etc. Therefore, please don't take this the wrong way:
This circle would seem to directly contradict any aspirations of creativity.
For instance, why would I need to know where to go for the next chord?
My way of working is to come up with a melody - something will pop into my head - then pick up a guitar/keyboard and find the root chord. The melody will dictate where I go next, NOT a conventional tool like this circle.
For example, I wrote a guitar based tune recently, that started on Emaj. The next chord - to compliment the melody - was actually C. So, a 2 chord verse riff of Emaj - Cmaj. IF ... I were to have been guiided by this circle, then I would have gone to A - - and presumably changed the melody to suit? Thereby being bounded by convention and avoiding gut instinct/raw creativity.
As I said, not looking for an argument, just a considered response to my concern. Unless .... this circle is to be used purely alongside a 'Bert Weedon for beginners' book????
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- Banned
- 717 posts since 18 Feb, 2004
hey wheres my thank you im the one who revived this thread

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- KVRAF
- 7879 posts since 16 Apr, 2003 from -on the outside looking in
Damn it, the technicality of this thread has killed my creativity!hitman8081 wrote:hey wheres my thank you im the one who revived this thread![]()
..what goes around comes around..
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- KVRian
- 1408 posts since 9 May, 2003 from Manchester, UK
Actually, in the fuller picture,it WAS an Am7. I have the bass line playing E,A, against the E, C chords.duncanparsons wrote:Taking the E->C thing, the C could be being used as a replacement for Am7, which could suggest an altered I-IV progression (movement by 5th), rather than the I-VI (movement within the same chord group). Who cares! Play what works!!
DSP
As you say though, play what works. THEN mebee take time to find out why it works
http://chrisamusic.bandcamp.com/
"It's square to be hip"
"It's square to be hip"
