Lesson 6: Progressions and Cadences
Chords rarely sit still - they move from one to another in a sequence called a progression. Musicians usually describe a progression with Roman numerals instead of fixed chord names, because a numeral describes a chord's role relative to the key, not one specific pitch. That means the same progression works in any key, just built on different roots.
A Roman numeral's case tells you the triad quality built on that scale degree: uppercase (I, IV, V) means a major triad, lowercase (ii, iii, vi) means a minor triad, and a lowercase numeral with a small circle (vii°) means diminished - the same four qualities from Lesson 5, just labeled by scale degree instead of by root note.
Related to Primary (Cadential) Progression
Tonic, subdominant, dominant, tonic - the three primary chords of a key in their most basic cadential order.
- frequently used with: C Major (key)
- frequently used with: C# Major (key)
- frequently used with: D Major (key)
- frequently used with: D# Major (key)
- frequently used with: E Major (key)
- frequently used with: F Major (key)
- frequently used with: F# Major (key)
- frequently used with: G Major (key)
- frequently used with: G# Major (key)
- frequently used with: A Major (key)
- frequently used with: A# Major (key)
- frequently used with: B Major (key)
I-IV-V-I is the single most common progression in Western music: it starts at home (I), moves away in two steps of increasing tension (IV, then V), and resolves back home (I). Once you can hear that shape, you'll start noticing it everywhere.
Related to 12-Bar Blues
A 12-measure form built from the tonic, subdominant, and dominant chords in a fixed, repeating pattern.
- frequently used with: C Major (key)
- frequently used with: C# Major (key)
- frequently used with: D Major (key)
- frequently used with: D# Major (key)
- frequently used with: E Major (key)
- frequently used with: F Major (key)
- frequently used with: F# Major (key)
- frequently used with: G Major (key)
- frequently used with: G# Major (key)
- frequently used with: A Major (key)
- frequently used with: A# Major (key)
- frequently used with: B Major (key)
A progression can also end mid-phrase with a cadence - a short, specific chord pairing that acts like punctuation, signaling whether a musical thought is finished or just paused. Different cadences create different kinds of endings.
Related to Authentic Cadence
The dominant chord resolving directly to the tonic - the strongest, most conclusive cadence in tonal music.
Related to Half Cadence
Any phrase that ends on the dominant chord rather than the tonic, leaving the harmony unresolved.
Related to Plagal Cadence
The subdominant chord resolving to the tonic, without passing through the dominant - the 'Amen' cadence.
Related to Deceptive Cadence
The dominant chord resolving to the relative-minor-substitute (vi) instead of the expected tonic.
In a progression, what does the Roman numeral 'V' represent?
Which cadence moves IV to I, and is sometimes called the 'Amen cadence'?
You've now walked the full path from a single pitch to a full progression: notes, intervals, scales, keys, chords, and the way chords move. From here, the Reference Library has everything you've learned and much more to explore, and Practice will help it stick.