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Chord progressions

Progressions and cadences: the patterns behind songs you already know.

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Piano keyboard and staff showing a chromatic inner line descending through four minor chord shapes
Chord progressions· 7 min read

What Are Line Clichés in Music and How Do You Use Them?

Line clichés in music are recognizable patterns involving chromatic movement in chord progressions. These patterns often feature smooth, descending melodies, adding drama and flow to a piece. Line…
A keyboard showing an A flat major triad highlighted inside the C major scale, with the chord spelling labelled
Chords· 5 min read

What Makes the Flat 6th Chord So Intriguing?

The flat 6th chord, a lesser-known gem in music theory, captivates both musicians and listeners with its exotic and mysterious sound. Known for adding a sense of depth and intrigue, it serves as a…
Two-stave example showing C and G moving to D and A, with the parallel fifths circled in red
Music theory· 6 min read

What Are Parallel Fifths in Counterpoint and Why Avoid Them?

Parallel fifths occur when two musical voices move in the same direction, maintaining an interval of a perfect fifth between them. This creates a uniform sound that can flatten the harmony's…
Four chord boxes labelled I, V, vi and IV with the C, G, Am and F shapes shown beneath them
Chord progressions· 9 min read

Why Pop Songs Rely on Four Chords: Theory & Simplicity

Have you ever noticed that many pop songs, from chart-toppers to feel-good tunes, share a certain familiar sound? It's not just you! This is the magic of the four-chord formula, a simple yet…
A four-part Bach chorale phrase with the weak-beat passing chords circled and their Roman numerals written below
Chords· 7 min read

Understanding Bach’s Passing Chords in Chorale Harmony

When I first explored Bach's music, it was like uncovering a treasure trove of musical wisdom. Johann Sebastian Bach’s impact on classical music is monumental, with his chorales serving as a…
Four minor chord voicings on a piano keyboard with one inner note stepping down chromatically
Chord progressions· 7 min read

Line Cliché: The Secret Behind Pleasing Progressions

Imagine walking into a room and hearing a melody that feels oddly comforting. That's the magic of line cliché—a simple yet powerful technique in music where a repeated pattern creates a familiar…
Grand staff showing a C major chord with G in the bass resolving to a G major chord and then to C major
Chords· 7 min read

Cadential 6/4 Chords in Classical Harmony

Picture this: you're at the piano, drawn in by a beautiful piece of classical music, its harmony pulling at your heartstrings. Often, a subtle hero is at play—the cadential 6/4 chord. This…
A lyric sheet with chord symbols written above the words and the key change marked
Music theory· 8 min read

Exploring Songs: Music Theory in Lyrics and Melodies

Music theory acts as the secret ingredient in songwriting, adding depth and structure to a song. It explores the practices and possibilities of music, helping songwriters craft melodies and…
A piano score with a long tied bass note under changing chords, annotated with Roman numerals and a pedal label
Music theory· 7 min read

Pedal Points in Roman Numeral Analysis

Roman Numeral Analysis is the secret language that reveals music's structure, allowing musicians to understand chords within a piece using Roman numerals to indicate scale degree and chord quality…
A score excerpt showing the same chord written twice with different accidentals, one before and one after a key change
Music theory· 7 min read

Exploring Brahms’ Enharmonic Modulation in Scherzo Op. 4

Johannes Brahms, a master of the Romantic era, skillfully infused emotion into his compositions. His works often blend traditional forms with innovative twists. One such twist is enharmonic…
A chord chart in C major with the borrowed chords F minor, A flat and B flat marked in a second colour
Chords· 7 min read

Mastering Modal Interchange Beyond Traditional Theory

Modal interchange, also known as modal mixture, is like adding unexpected spices to a familiar dish. It involves borrowing chords from parallel modes to create expressive colors in music…
Two final cadences side by side, one ending on a major tonic chord and one on a minor tonic chord
Music theory· 7 min read

Can a Major Key Resolve to a Minor Key? The 'Reverse Picardy Third'

Imagine listening to a cheerful piece in a major key, only for it to conclude on a minor chord. Intrigued? That's the "Reverse Picardy Third" at play. Traditionally, the Picardy Third resolved minor…