Chord progression nomenclature?

[Cecil6243]

So a chord progression is where the chords fall in the note sequence of a scale for the particular key, i.e. in the key of C if the chords in a song are C, F, and G it'a a I IV V right?

But what if let's say the chords in a song are EM C D and G in that order in the key of G what is it? Is it a I, IV, V, vi even though the chord progress is not in that order? I assume you start out with the chord that corresponds with the key which in this case would be a G?

Anybody have a iink that explains this well?

[rick-slo]

The progression is the series of chord that occur in the music.
So for Em-C-D-G in the key of G you will have vi-IV-V-I.
Of course this is probably in the key of Em and not G.
In that case you have i-VI-VII-III.

[Cecil6243]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

The progression is the series of chord that occur in the music.
So for Em-C-D-G in the key of G you will have vi-IV-V-I.
Of course this is probably in the key of Em and not G.
In that case you have I-VI-VII-III.

Thanks Rick. I think you're right it probably is in the key of Em.

Wouldn't the Em be a lower case i though?

[rick-slo]

Originally Posted by Cecil6243

Thanks Rick. I think you're right it probably is in the key of Em.

Wouldn't the Em be a lower case i though?

yes, i not I. Updated my prior post.

[Andyrondack]

No that chord progression resolves to G, it's in the key of G. Theres no rule that states a chord progression has to begin on the tonic chord, try playing Mr Tambourine man.

[Fatfinger McGee]

Here's a link that explains chord progressions in detail. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chord_progression

For a practical guide to music theory, I recommend this book: https://www.amazon.com/Musical-Princ.../dp/0966502906

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by Andyrondack

No that chord progression resolves to G, it's in the key of G. Theres no rule that states a chord progression has to begin on the tonic chord, try playing Mr Tambourine man.

Absolutely.

But I wouldn't be quite as dogmatic as that. It's possible Em-C-D-G is in the key of E minor. It's just a lot more likely that G will sound like the key chord, which (as you say) means it IS the key chord.

But if the sequence continued as Em-C-D-G-Am-B7-Em, then we'd say the whole thing was in the key of E minor, because that's where it ends up; despite the brief IV-V-I to G in the middle.

[Andyrondack]

Yes, I just assumed that G was the last chorď in the piece.

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by Cecil6243

So a chord progression is where the chords fall in the note sequence of a scale for the particular key

No. Sometimes people describe a harmonized scale as a chord "progression". E.g., the key of G would be G Am Bm C D Em F#dim, which is just the scale harmonized into ascending triads.

In fact, the term "chord progression" properly refers to the sequence of chords in a piece of music.

Naturally we can also use "chord sequence" to mean the same thing, and sometimes "progression" is used to make a distinction between a chord sequence in any random order, and a sequence which sounds like it "progresses" towards the tonic, with a kind of forward momentum.

E.g., Em-C-G-Bm-D-Am is a chord "sequence" (no clear movement forward), while Bm7-Em7-Am7-D7-G has a strong sense of forward motion that we might call a "progression", resolving to G in a "perfect cadence".

Still, this is not a terminological rule! "Progression" and "sequence" are used pretty much interchangeably; and you could make an argument that "sequence" also implies forward motion! (In fact, in classical theory, "sequence" has a specific meaning to do with repetition of a melodic phrase; nothing to do with chords at all.)

[nightchef]

I’ve never heard the term “chord sequence” used before, only “sequence” in the classical sense.

In all the uses I’ve ever encountered, a “chord progression” simply means a series of chords found in a piece of music. Whether the progression has a strong sense of movement toward a harmonic goal depends on the musical style and the skill of the composer.

[merlin666]

Originally Posted by Andyrondack

No that chord progression resolves to G, it's in the key of G. Theres no rule that states a chord progression has to begin on the tonic chord, try playing Mr Tambourine man.

I agree with this. Also if it was em then I would also expect at least some am and/or bm in there.

[Cecil6243]

Thank you for the responses! I can always count on informed and lively debate with great information here!