chord progression

Noun

Meaning

chord progression (plural chord progressions)

(music) A pattern of two or more chords, often chords diatonic to a particular key.
2005, Michael Miller, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Music Theory, 2nd edition, Alpha, →ISBN, page 142:You don’t have to start with a melody; you can base your tune on a specific chord progression and compose a melody that best fits the chords.

Source: en.wiktionary.org

Synonyms

cadence progression ostinato pedal point ground bass chord changes

Examples

The first thing that inspires any song is a chord progression. When I have one I really like, I get into the lyrics even more. Black Francis

I'd have these weird experiences where I'd just be walking down the street with this chord progression in my head, this happened more than a few times, and I'd walk home and find a fax in my machine and it would match the music in my head. Duncan Sheik

I can't remember the first song I learned to play on bass, but the first song I learned to play on guitar was 'For Your Love' by the Yardbirds. That kind of was the beginning for me. I thought it was a great song and I loved the open chord progression at the beginning of that song. Geddy Lee

Close letter words and terms

chord line chord notation chord organ chorda chorda dorsalis chorda spermatica