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Chord progressions of 25,000 songs

amitkohli.com

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Re: Chord progressions of 25,000 songs

#4
> Even though there is a great variety of chords and chord progressions, progressions involving 1,4,5, and 6 are favoured, probably because they ‘sound good’ to our brain.

I drive my girlfriend nuts because of this. I don't typically listen to the pop/country songs that are popular with our local radio but when she has it on in the car, every once in a while a song will come on and I'll think "I know this" and start singing an older (wrong) song that fits the progression pretty well.

Re: Chord progressions of 25,000 songs

#7

I am confused. Is "Start" always a 1? Then how can the first chord change also be a 1?

Nope. 1 is the root (or tonic) of the key, not necessarily the first chord.

Yes, of course, but why isn't the first chord in the progression labeled in the diagram? All the others are. There's just a big wall labeled "Start".

Things like this make me feel like I am disconnected from the rest of the world. How can anyone look at that diagram for one second and not see this glaring and confusing omission?

Re: Chord progressions of 25,000 songs

#8
If anyone has interest in harmonic theory and why I/IV/V progressions are so pervasive, I highly recommend "The Harmonic Experience" by W.A. Mathieu.

He really gets into the harmonic series, and how intervals are really low prime ratios.

I read this book after being a professional musician for 15 years and it was an ear opening experience. there are lots of great singing exercises for really hearing the overtone series.

it's pretty much the "art of computer programming" for music.

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