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How To Create A Chord Progression

Chord progressions are the bedrock of music, so whether you are a beginner or advanced musician, you will want to learn how to create and use them. They can hone your skills, broaden your repertoire and help you take your listeners on an emotional journey.

What is a chord progression?

A chord progression is at least two chords played in sequence. The pattern of chords is often repeated during a verse, chorus, or bridge of a song. The chord progression is based on the key and the scale of the song. First, the musician must establish a key or group of pitches that is the foundation for the song. Major and minor keys have seven note scales, and these notes of a scale can be combined to form chords. A scale is a specific sequence of notes that is arranged by an ascending or descending order of pitch. The scale may use whole tones, semitones, or a combination of both. For example, in the key of C major, the scale contains the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, and B (all the white notes.) The distance between two notes is called an interval.

What is a chord?

A chord is two or more different notes played simultaneously. Most basic chords are triads, which are made of three notes:

  1. A root note
  2. A third, which is four semitones above the root
  3. A perfect fifth, which is seven semitones above the root.

Triads can also be used to build more complex chords, such as seventh and ninth chords. These are made by adding notes above a triad. The intervals between the notes determine the quality of the chord. Examples of different qualities of chords include:

  • Major
  • Minor
  • Augmented
  • Diminished
  • Major Seventh
  • Minor Seventh
  • Dominant Seventh

The essence of these chords differs. Generally, major chords sound happy, minor chords sound sad, and diminished chords sound scary.

How does a chord progression work?

In its simplest form, a chord is typically three notes played together. However, these are not just random sets of notes. They help define different sections of a song, as well as develop the overall structure of a song. The chord progressions take the listener on an emotional journey. Therefore, most songwriters use more than one chord in a song.

It is not necessary to use all the chords of your chosen key. Many well-known songs only use about four chords. To create a chord progression, you have to place a few of these chords one after another, in whatever order you choose. Composers often write chords in Roman numerals. This allows a musician to play the same chord progression in another key or scale. Capital letter numerals represent major chords, while small letters indicate minor chords.

The “I” chord is the root chord and the key name. For example, the “I” chord in the key of C is the C chord. It is the “home” chord. As the music moves through different chords, the listener feels various levels of tension and release. Therefore, the “I” chord is important because all the other chords want to resolve to it. Moving away from this chord creates tension. Most progressions will also end on the “I” chord.

The IV and V chords are farther away from “home.” They tend to have more energy. It is essential to understand that chords have different feelings. They may feel resolved or tense.

Common chord progressions

It is a good idea to learn a few common chord progressions that can be used to play many songs. For example, the first, the fourth, and the fifth (I – IV – V) chords sound good together in a progression for most types of music. For instance, in the key of C, the I-IV-V chord progression would consist of the chords C, F, and G. In the key of G major, this progression would become G-C-D. Another common chord progression is the I-V-vi-IV. In the key of C major, this progression would consist of C – G – Am – F.

Many patterns often appear in genres such as popular music, rock, jazz, and classical music. Using chord progressions is a fun and instructive way to experiment with your music.

Importance of E-Learning

Importance of E-Learning

E-LEARNING

Importance of

E-Learning

Written by Devang Patel

  • 5 min read

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In light of recent events around the globe, it has impacted many individuals and their daily lives. Schools and learning institutions have been greatly affected by this. College and university administrators in some areas have chose to cancel the spring semester or close schools for the foreseeable future. In other cases we’ve seen administrators, teachers and parents have to reevaluate how their students and children are educated during this time. One of the biggest solutions for college and universities have been moving classes and asking their professors to teach segments online through e-learning.

Although e-learning has been common for college and universities for the last 10 years, for most teachers that teach elementary through high school, this concept of is new. Grade school teachers have never been asked to teach online, and students have never had to sit in front of their computers or mobile devices to learn on a regular basis from their home. Grade schools admins and teachers have had the challenge of finding the right solution and technology or software to make sure that they can teach online and make sure their students are actually learning.

Not only has it affected students and teachers, but also parents. Over night they had to reevaluate and make sure that their children are well equipped and disciplined to properly learn from their homes with the proper technology. We’ve seen schools offer laptops and mobile devices to students who may need them. Some schools have even asked parents, to hold themselves responsible to make sure their children continuing their education from home by giving them the assignments that they would normally give in class.

Some parents have been at a lost and not sure exactly what to do to make sure their children are learning. This is why E-Learning has never been as important as it has been in the past. We are seeing more and more e-learning platforms and software being offered online so that people can properly continue their education, in wake of situations like global crisis. It is important that education doesn’t come to a stand still, and that parents, students and teachers find different solutions to make sure they are continuing to educate both children and young adults.

The great thing about e-learning is that you can pretty much find online courses for almost anything. We’ve seen platforms like Udemy disrupt formal education model by offering almost any course available at every school and university for all ages. We’ve seen the likes of MasterClass offer online courses taught by professionals in different industries.

As more people flock to finding education online, we know one thing, e-learning has never been as important as before.

Learn more about YousicPlay’s Music E-Learning solutions.

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How musicians can improve during the Coronavirus Pandemic?

How musicians can improve during the Coronavirus Pandemic?

What musicians can learn from the Coronavirus Pandemic

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A New Era of Music

The current epidemic is affecting entertainers all over the world, from actors, to comedians and musicians. With government enforced ‘stay home’ policies and an increasing number of businesses forced to close, most musicians have had to put their talents on hold.  It’s been the most difficult for musicians who host and play frequent live performances. Others have found ways to utilize the live features in their social media platforms to engage, stay in touch, and entertain their fans.

Television networks have partnered with music labels and celebrity musicians to creatively use means of telecommunication to provide ‘at home concerts’ for viewers of all ages and demographics.

YousicPlay - Coronavirus pandemic

A New Era of Music

We’ve witnessed things like Hip-Hop music producers and DJ’s host live “Beat Battles” on Instagram. Even Chris Martin joined in, he was the music feature on Saturday Night Live’s latest “At Home” episode, along with other similar ‘live from home’ performances.

This has been great for musicians and performers who already have a following and a big fan base. However, that isn’t the case for up-and-coming musicians or even for student musicians. For those performers who depend on local gigs and opening acts to grow their fan base and earn the attention of established music professionals, they’re at a loss. For some student musicians the situation has hindered their ability to learn and further their talent through on sight education.

YousicPlay is very aware of this situation for all musicians, and we’ve come up with a few ways for how they can use this time wisely. The following list will not only help improve their musical abilities, but it will also help them learn about the different ways to market, better self promote, and successfully navigate through this current climate.

1. Use music E-Learning platforms that help musicians learn new songs, music theory, and improve their technique.

2. Take the time to create audio and video content and build your personal music portfolio. This can be done with any smartphone, GoPro, or affordable video camera.

3. Find affordable tools to create a home studio.

4.Create a website or utilize social media platforms to upload and share your content.

5. Network with other unsigned musicians and music venues to establish relationships so that when the lockdown is over, you will be considered to play with these musicians or at these venues.

It is a very difficult time for many people, but it doesn’t mean that it should go to waste. There are ways to improve your own brand and get ready for things you may not have time to do when you’re busy with actually playing and creating new music.

     

    Written by Tom Martin

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    Why is E-Learning The New Standard of Education?

    Why is E-Learning The New Standard of Education?

    E-LEARNING

    Test Devang

    Written by Devang Patel

    • 5 min read

    Follow us:

    In light of recent events around the globe, the effects of COVID-19 have impacted many individuals and their daily lives. Schools and learning institutions have been greatly affected by this. College and university administrators in some areas have chosen to cancel the spring semester or close schools for the foreseeable future. In other cases, we’ve seen administrators, teachers and parents have had to reevaluate how their students and children are being taught during this global epidemic. One of the biggest solutions for colleges and universities has been moving from the traditional classroom setting, to a virtual online education experience through E-Learning.

    Although E-Learning has been common for colleges and universities for the past 10 years, for most teachers that teach elementary through high school – this concept is new. Grade school teachers have never been asked to teach online, and students have never had to sit in front of their computers or mobile devices to learn on a regular basis from their home. Grade school admins and teachers have had the challenge of finding the right solution and technology or software to teach online and ensure that their students are actually learning.

    E-Learning with YousicPlay

    Not only has it affected students and teachers, but also parents. Overnight, parents had to reevaluate and make sure that their children were well equipped and disciplined to properly learn from their homes with the newly required technology and software. We’ve seen schools offer laptops and mobile devices to students who may need them. Some schools have even asked parents to hold themselves responsible in making sure their children continue their education from home by giving them the assignments that they would normally give in class.

    Many parents are at a loss and struggle with how to ensure their children are learning and staying up-to-date with their class material. E-Learning is more important now than it’s ever been. We are seeing more and more E-Learning platforms and software being offered so that people can efficiently continue their education – in wake of situations like this global crisis. It is important that education doesn’t come to a stand still, and that parents, students and teachers find different solutions to confidently continue to educate both children and young adults.

    The great thing about E-Learning is that you can pretty much find online courses for almost anything. We’ve seen platforms like Udemy disrupt the formal education model by offering almost every course available at schools and universities. We’ve seen the likes of MasterClass offer online courses taught by elite professionals in different industries.

    As more people flock to finding education online, we know one thing – E-Learning is quickly becoming the new standard for education.

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    Drums & Musicality Masterclass Instructed By Robert “Sput” Searight

    Drums & Musicality Masterclass Instructed By Robert “Sput” Searight

    E-LEARNING

    Drums & Musicality Masterclass Instructed By Robert “Sput” Searight

    Written by Devang Patel

    • 5 min read

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    YousicPlay presents Robert “Sput” Searight’s Masterclass Course, available now!

    We are thrilled to bring you YousicPlay’s Drums & Musicality Masterclass Course instructed by Robert “Sput” Searight.

    Our Grammy Award Winning Drumming instructor takes you through his experiences and keys to success to help you find your voice in music with these 23 individual video lessons.

    Learn everything from Sput’s rudiment exercises to his leadership skills and methods for leading a band from behind the drum set. Each lesson takes you through Sput’s personal approach to drumming and the disciplines that have made him a successful musician.

    YousicPlay founder Alain Merville sat down with Robert “Sput” Searight for a very interesting and extensive interview. Sput shares his life story and the growth of his passion for drumming. Watch the full interview below.

    To learn more about Robert “Sput” Searight’s Drum & Musicality Masterclass Course, click here

    Robert-Searight-Masterclass-YousicPlay

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