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chord progression help

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(@vanhalenwannabe)
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Joined: 12 years ago
Posts: 27
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After working on the fundamentals and basic chords for the past few months, I'm now learning that all progressions - even complex ones - need a harmonic goal. This was new to me, but It makes perfect sense because it give a sense of direction to where the melody/song is going. :D

So my question is, what are some good ways to shorten up a more complex chord progression, or provide harmonic mini-goals throughout the progression?


   
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(@noteboat)
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Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 4921
 

The harmonic goal is reached by cadences, like a V-I (authentic or perfect cadence) or IV-I. Intermediate goals are often incomplete or half cadences - where you end on the V, or substitute some other chord for I.

It's hard to draw up a standard list of rules, because there are a couple of wild cards: the duration of each chord, and the interaction of the melody line with the chords. But I wrote a lesson for GN a few years ago that might help a bit: Untangling chord progressions

Guitar teacher offering lessons in Plainfield IL


   
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(@vanhalenwannabe)
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Joined: 12 years ago
Posts: 27
Topic starter  

Awesome, thanks man!


   
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