Learn · chords
Chords and progressions
Chords do more than name a key. Their bass movement, shared notes, and rhythm change how the same melody feels. Start with the notes and movement you can actually hear, then compare a few harmonic possibilities.
Start here
A small exercise
Hold one melody note while playing two different chords beneath it. Listen for the note becoming stable, tense, or unexpectedly bright.
Questions to explore
- How to find chords for a melodyFind chords beneath a melody by listening to its strong notes, testing bass movement, and comparing more than one harmonic reading.
- Different ways to play a chord progression on guitarUse guitar chord voicings, inversions, register, and rhythm to give one progression several distinct shapes.
- How to write a chord progression on guitarBuild a guitar chord progression from a musical idea using a clear starting chord, purposeful movement, and a convincing return.
- How to continue a chord progressionChoose what chord comes next by hearing whether your progression needs return, contrast, or more tension.