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C Am F G

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(@dogbite)
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Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 6348
Topic starter  

four chords, C Am F G. this chord progression came up recently. it got me to thinking.
I can think of a few songs that uses this progression.

Heart and Soul
Leader of the Pack
You Send Me

theres more. do you have any?

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(@davidhodge)
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Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 4472
 

Does it have to be in this key? Can it be I - vi - IV - V in any key?

There are probably hundreds of songs that either use this progression throughout (Last Kiss and Slave to Love come to mind immediately) and there are hundreds more that use it as the main part of have a slight variation. Stand By Me, for instance.

Seriously, you're going to get a long list...

Peace


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

It's the central progression of do-wop music: Poor Little Fool, Duke of Earl, Runaround Sue... like David said, it'll be a LONG list (there are literally thousands of tunes that use this)

Guitar teacher offering lessons in Plainfield IL


   
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(@dogbite)
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Joined: 19 years ago
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Topic starter  

I guess it does not matter the key.
C AM F G is the set I hear.

and ya, there has to be hundreds of songs that use this formula.
I find it very interesting. these chord changes work so well together.
why is that? is it part of the circle? C and Am are made in heaven. I can solo in C major using the Am penta.
etc.

good stuff.

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 KR2
(@kr2)
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Dogbite knows I'm going to post this one . . .

I e-mailed him to get the chord progression:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM

Fun song to play along with . . . and sing.

It's the rock that gives the stream its music . . . and the stream that gives the rock its roll.


   
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(@davidhodge)
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Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 4472
 

There's also the variation that uses ii instead of IV. For the key of C, that would be C, Am, Dm, G.

And I don't know why, but I just thought of The Monster Mash...

Peace


   
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(@wattsiepoops)
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Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 270
 

A lot of the acoustic versions of songs by pop punk bands use this chord progression. Well, the versions i've learned/been shown do. Like Blink 182 stuff and that.

David Watts
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Former Aftershock 24/7 Rhythm Guitarist (Band split)


   
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(@kcfenderfan)
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Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 472
 

four chords, C Am F G. this chord progression came up recently. it got me to thinking.
I can think of a few songs that uses this progression.

Heart and Soul
Leader of the Pack
You Send Me

theres more. do you have any?
One that pops into mind is "This Magic Moment" by Jay and the Americans. I can almost play it cleanly. Dang "F" chord bites me every time. Here is a youtube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDGqhnv9QTA&feature=related . This is how I have been trying to play it. It may not be exact, but it's pretty close IMO.

This magic [C]moment so [Am]different and so new
Was like any [F]other until [G]I kissed you
And then it [C]happened it [Am]took me by surprise
I knew that you [F]felt it too by the [G]look in your eyes
Chorus:
Sweeter than [Am]wine (sweeter than wine)
Softer than a [F]summer night
(softer than a summer night)
Everything I [C]want I have whenever I [G]hold you tight
This magic [C]moment while your [Am]lips are close to mine
Will last for[F]ever for[G]ever till the end of [C]time
whoa oh oh [Am]oh oh Whoa oh oh [F]oh oh Whoa oh oh [G]oh
Horns play, then
Repeat chorus, fade out with whoa oh's

Jim


   
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(@bgdaddy316)
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Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 186
 

Can't remember the name of the song, but Pearl Jam remade it.

Oh where, oh where can my baby be
The Lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good...


   
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(@kcfenderfan)
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Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 472
 

Can't remember the name of the song, but Pearl Jam remade it.

Oh where, oh where can my baby be
The Lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good...
I think it's "Last Kiss" or something like that.

Jim


   
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(@keithkr)
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Joined: 14 years ago
Posts: 21
 

There's also the variation that uses ii instead of IV. For the key of C, that would be C, Am, Dm, G.

And I don't know why, but I just thought of The Monster Mash...

Peace
The monster mash David?...... you really are as old as me. :D


   
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(@dogbite)
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Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 6348
Topic starter  

Can't remember the name of the song, but Pearl Jam remade it.

Oh where, oh where can my baby be
The Lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good...
I think it's "Last Kiss" or something like that.

Jim

yep, The Last Kiss...it was cool because there were revs, screeching brakes , and a breaking glass crash sound effects.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=644552
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 KR2
(@kr2)
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The monster mash David?...... you really are as old as me. :D

Old? How about . . .

Where Have All the Flowers Gone? (Pete Seeger)

It's the rock that gives the stream its music . . . and the stream that gives the rock its roll.


   
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(@vic-lewis-vl)
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Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 10264
 

The first chord progression I managed to learn - and recognise! - was G, Em, C and D. Same as C, Am, F and G - 7 semitons higher. Every time I came across C/Am/F/G, I'd transpose it to G/Em//D - a) it was slightly easier for me, and b) it was a better key for me to sing in.

Nowadays, I don't bother transposing - if I come across a I - VIm - IV - V progression, I'll play it as written - no matter what key it's in.

Oh, and I used the I - VIm - IV - V progression for the very first assignment I set for the Sunday Songwriters Group!

:D :D :D

Vic

"Sometimes the beauty of music can help us all find strength to deal with all the curves life can throw us." (D. Hodge.)


   
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(@joehempel)
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Posts: 2415
 

Not relating to the post, but Ken, thanks for that video, it's a great video!

In Space, no one can hear me sing!


   
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