NGfL CYMRU GCaD

www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk

Chord Progressions

Music Advanced Subsidiary

NGfL CYMRU GCaD

www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk

Chord Progressions

• You are required to choose chords for a melody over a series of bars and at cadence points.

• In the key stated you will need to know the chords of the – Tonic (I), – Supertonic (II), – Subdominant (IV), – Dominant (V) and Dominant seventh (V7)– Submediant (VI).

NGfL CYMRU GCaD

www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk

Name the following chords in C Major:

I =

II =

IV =

V =

VI =

Activity 1

Click forAnswer

I = C E G

II = D F A

IV = F A C

V = G B D

VI = A C E

Here are the chords also on the treble and bass stave.

NGfL CYMRU GCaD

www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk

Activity 2

1. Write the letter names below each of the notes in the following melody.

Answer

I = C E GII = D F AIV = F A CV = G B DVI = A C E

2. You need to decide which of the chords in the ‘C Major Chord Grid’ is most suitable for each bar.

Look on the first bar below to see the process.

C C E G I = C E G Full activity of next page

NGfL CYMRU GCaD

www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk

Activity 2(2)

1. Add a suitable chord for each bar.

I = C E GII = D F AIV = F A CV = G B DVI = A C E

Answer

I IV V7 I

The answer for the last bar could be chord:

I = CEG, IV = FAC, or VI = ACE, as they all include

the note C.

But, at the end of a phrase we have a cadence point.

Let’s take a closer look at the three most commonly used cadences.

NGfL CYMRU GCaD

www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk

• V followed by I (perfect cadence)

Chords most commonly used at cadences are:

NGfL CYMRU GCaD

www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk

• Any chord followed by V (imperfect cadence)

Chords most commonly used at cadences are:

NGfL CYMRU GCaD

www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk

• IV followed by I (plagal cadence)

Chords most commonly used at cadences are:

NGfL CYMRU GCaD

www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk

Activity 3

I = C E GII = D F AIV = F A CV = G B DVI = A C E

I =

II =

IV =

V =

VI =

Remind yourself of the following chords in C Major:

Click forAnswer

Write a suitable chord in the boxes for each bar in the following example.

I IV V7 I

Click for Answer

NGfL CYMRU GCaD

www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk

Activity 4

I = G B DII = A C EIV = C E GV = D F#AVI = E G B

I =

II =

IV =

V =

VI =

Click forAnswer

Write a suitable chord in the boxes for each bar in the following example.

I II VI V

Click for Answer

Name the following chords in G Major: