A sequence of chords played in order that forms the harmonic backbone of a song.
A chord progression is the sequence of chords a piece of music moves through over time, providing the harmonic foundation that the melody sits on top of. Progressions create a sense of motion, tension and resolution as the harmony travels away from and back toward the home chord of the key. A huge amount of popular music is built from a small set of well-worn progressions — the I–V–vi–IV pattern alone underpins countless hit songs — which is why learning a few common progressions lets a beginner play along with an enormous range of music. The order and rhythm of the chords shape a song's entire emotional arc.
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