Harmonic Progression for Dummies

Harmonic Progression is a term used in music to describe a series or sequence of chords that are played one after another. It's like a musical journey where you take steps from one chord to another, creating a sense of movement and progression.

Think of it as walking up a flight of stairs. Each step you take brings you closer to the top, and with each new step, you can see a little more of what's above. In a harmonic progression, each chord you play takes you closer to the next one, building up the musical tension and eventually resolving to a satisfying conclusion. It's like climbing those stairs and finally reaching the top, feeling a sense of accomplishment and completion.

Now, let's break it down a bit further. In music, chords are made up of three or more notes played together. Each chord has a different character or feeling to it, just like different colors can evoke different emotions. For example, a major chord might sound happy and bright, while a minor chord might sound sad or mysterious. When we talk about a harmonic progression, we're referring to the order in which these chords are played.

Imagine you have a series of different colored paint cans, and you decide to paint a beautiful picture. You start by dipping your brush into one can of paint and making a mark on the canvas. Then you move to the next can of paint and make another mark, and so on. The way you choose and arrange the colors determines the overall effect of your painting. You might decide to start with a warm and inviting color, and then gradually introduce cooler tones to create contrast and interest. This is similar to how a musician selects and arranges chords in a harmonic progression to create a particular mood or atmosphere in a piece of music.

So, in a nutshell, harmonic progression is the sequence or order of chords in a piece of music. It's like a musical journey that takes listeners from one chord to another, building tension and resolution. Just like climbing stairs or painting with different colors, each chord adds something unique to the overall sound and feeling of the music. By understanding harmonic progression, we can appreciate the artistry and craft behind the music we listen to and even create our own harmonic journeys in compositions or improvisations.