Chord Progression
also called “chords”also called “changes”
The short version
The order your chords move in.
A handful of chords, repeated in a specific order, is the skeleton of most songs. I-V-vi-IV (C-G-Am-F) has carried thousands of hits.
Progressions
Same chords in a different order tell a different story.
I – V – vi – IVThe one in a thousand pop songs
vi – IV – I – VSame chords, sadder start
ii – V – IThe jazz landing
Why you'd careChange the order and the same chords tell a different story. It's the cheapest way to make a loop feel like a song.
88 words and counting in The Music Guide. Back to the guide