Chord combinations are the backbone of songwriting. Understanding how major, minor, and 7th chords interact allows you to create progressions that evoke emotion, tension, and resolution. This lesson focuses on building a chord palette for writing compelling songs.
Major chords generally provide brightness and stability, forming the foundation of most progressions. Minor chords add contrast, melancholy, or tension, creating emotional depth. Seventh chords introduce a bluesy or jazzy color, making transitions more interesting and providing a natural pull toward resolution.
Start by experimenting with simple progressions: C → G → Am → F. Notice how the C and G major chords give a sense of stability, while Am adds tension and emotional shading. F acts as a bridge, preparing the ear to return to C. This combination works well in many pop and folk songs.
Add 7th chords for color. For example, try C → G7 → Am → F. G7 introduces tension that naturally resolves to C, creating a smooth, musical flow. Experiment with placing 7th chords at different points in the progression to discover how they affect mood and direction.
Recognizing which chord combinations sound good comes from listening and experimenting. Pair a major chord with its relative minor (C → Am) or use dominant 7th chords to resolve to a major chord (G7 → C). Trust your ear: if a progression feels balanced and expressive, it likely works musically.
Practice exercises: choose three chords from different categories, such as G (major), Em (minor), and D7 (dominant seventh). Play each in various orders, strumming slowly and listening to which sequences create tension, release, or emotional movement. Write down the combinations that resonate most.
Explore minor-major contrasts: Am → F → C, Em → G → D, Dm → G → C. Notice how the minor chord introduces emotion while the major chords provide resolution. Adding 7th chords to these sequences enhances interest and allows for smoother transitions.
Combine dynamics with chord choices: emphasize a minor chord with a stronger strum to highlight emotional tension, then soften the following major chord to create a sense of release. This interplay between chord type and dynamic expression enriches songwriting.
Mini progressions for experimentation: C → C7 → F → G7, Am → Dm → G → C, G → Em → C → D7. Practice strumming these sequences, paying attention to voice-leading, tension, and resolution. Modify fingerings, inversions, or add suspended chords to further personalize your progressions.
In summary: mixing major, minor, and 7th chords expands your songwriting palette. Experiment with combinations, listen carefully for emotional effect, and practice creating smooth transitions. Recognizing which chord sequences sound good develops your musical intuition and allows you to craft expressive, engaging songs.