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Music Theory Lesson Seven
Category: Music Theory
Analyzing Chord Progressions
In the last lesson we talked about the harmonized scale. In this lesson we will put that knowledge to use and learn how to analyze chord progressions. Being able to analyze a chord progression is the key factor in determining which scale to choose when soloing. Use the reference guide as we work through the following examples.
Consider the following chords:
D E minor B minor G A minor
How do we determine which scale these chords come from? Let’s do an analysis and find out.
Remember that major chords occur in the 1, 4 and 5 positions in the major scale.
The D chord could be the 1 chord in the key of D, the 4 chord in the key of A and the 5 chord in the key of G.
The G chord could be the 1 chord in the key of G, the 4 chord in the key of D and the 5 chord in the key of C.
The minor chords occur in the 2, 3 and 6 positions in the major scale.
The E minor chord could be the 2 chord in the key of D, the 3 chord in the key of C and the 6 chord in the key of G.
The B minor chord could be the 2 chord in the key of A, the 3 chord in the key of G and the 6 chord in the key of D.
The A minor chord could be the 2 chord in the key of G, the 3 chord in the key of F and the 6 chord in the key of C.
Looking through our analysis and list of chords can you find the winner? All of these chords are found only in the key of G so you would use a G major or G major pentatonic scale to solo over these chords.
Here it is in table form to make it a little easier to see and read.
Let’s do another one! Look at the following progression.
E A E F# minor C# minor A B
The E chord is the 1 chord in E, the 4 chord in B, and the 5 chord in A.
The A chord is the 1 chord in A, the 4 chord in E and the 5 chord in D.
The F# minor chord is the 2 chord in E, the 3 chord in D and the 6 chord in A.
The C# minor chord is the 2 chord in B, the 3 chord in A and the 6 chord in E.
The B chord is the 1 chord in B, the 4 chord in F# and the 5 chord in E.
Once again, here’s a table containing this info.
Sometimes you run into a situation like this. Suppose we have the following chords.
D B minor A F# minor
The D could be the 1 chord in D, the 4 chord in A and the 5 chord in G.
The B minor could be the 2 chord in A, the 3 chord in G and the 6 chord in D.
The A chord could be the 1 chord in A, the 4 chord in E and the 5 chord in D.
The F# minor could be the 2 chord in E, the 3 chord in D and the 6 chord in A.
Here it is in table form.
All of these chords appear in both the key of A and the key of D. What do you do now? In some cases by using your ear one chord will tend to feel like the home base or the key center. It may be the first chord of the song and often it will be the last chord of the song.
You can also take advantage of this ambiguity and switch back and forth between the two different keys as you solo. This can create some interesting tension and variation in your solos. Ultimately you have to let your ear be your guide.
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