Chord Progressions
Chord Progressions
Progressions. Not necessarily specific chord voicings/shapes, just the chord movements.
When I Come Around
- Green Day -
Song is mostly a loop, although the chorus changes.
Tennessee Whiskey
- Chris Stapleton -
Song is a loop. Don't get thrown off by the notey bassline.
You Belong With Me
- Taylor Swift -
A few different sections. All easy.
If you want to build your ear to hear the most common progressions, just learn every Taylor Swift song. If you cannot figure out these songs instantaneously, your ear needs work.
Levitating
- Dua Lipa -
Sort of busy arrangement, but very simple loop for the entire song. The bassline of this song is your friend.
Blank Space
- Taylor Swift -
Same idea as the above Swift song. However, this one might be slightly trickier as the arrangement is thinner, which may mask the progression for some people. Very common in modern pop.
Simple Man
- Shinedown -
Simple tune, but the picked guitar part might throw some people off.
You Shook Me All Night Long
- ACDC -
Very simple and obvious arrangement, although the actual guitar parts might mask the progression for some people.
Redemption Song
- Bob Marley -
Mostly strumming acoustic, but a good amount of chords and sections, as well as inversions. Everything is very simple though.
7 rings
- Ariana Grande -
A loop, but does contain an (extremely common) out of key chord.
Badfish
- Sublime -
Simple, although there is a very very mild mixture of keys happening.
Larger Than Life
- Backstreet Boys -
Typical of this genre, but does feature a mild mixture of "keys".
Better Together
- Jack Johnson -
Decent amount of chords, including inversions. But extreeeeemmmeelllyy common progression.
Beyond
- Leon Bridges -
Mostly very simple, but there are some sections that grab a decently common out-of-key chord.
Mixer
- Amber Mark -
Two sections, contains out of key chords (common ones). Arrangement is also somewhat thin.
The Difference
- Circa Survive -
Guitars are basically never playing chords, which can be tricky for some people. Must listen to the bass. Out of key stuff and inversions happening as well.
No Tears Left To Cry
- Ariana Grande -
Some out of key stuff to keep your ears open for.
Ponponpon
- Kyary Pamyu Pamyu -
Very busy arrangement, good amount of chords.
The Zookeeper's Boy
- Mew -
Decent amount of movement, and key changes.
Golden
- Jill Scott -
It's a loop for the entire song, so you don't have to worry about different sections. However there are a bunch of chords that pretty smoothly borrow from different keys.
Don't Stop Me Now
- Queen -
Pretty Chordy, with a few out of key transition chords.
Spice
- Perfume -
Simple harmony, but a lot of it. Busy arrangement and a lot of movement.
Freaking Out The Neighborhood
- Mac Demarco -
Slightly out of tune, and some pretty varied chord choices.
Mottai Night Land
- Kyary Pamyu Pamyu -
Just a lot of chords to memorize. Out of key stuff, inversions, etc. The bridge in particular
German Requiem,
1st Movement
- Johannes Brahms -
Orchestral work, which may be difficult for some people. Tons of harmony, key changes, transition chords, etc. However, all chords/harmony being used are pretty simple and traditional.
The Way Up
Introduction
- Pat Metheny Group -
Very busy arrangement, and often times chords aren't blatantly played and are instead implied via the various melodies and parts. Lots of movement.