Harmony in Popular Music

The I-IV-V chord progression is the most common chord progression in popular music because it is easy to remember and sing along to.

The tonic chord in a major key is the home chord. It is the chord that the music resolves to at the end of a phrase or section.

The dominant chord in a major key is the dominant chord. It is the chord that creates a sense of tension and leads to the tonic chord.

The subdominant chord in a major key is the subdominant chord. It is the chord that provides a sense of stability and leads to the dominant chord.

The mediant chord in a major key is the mediant chord. It is the chord that provides a sense of color and interest.

The perfect cadence is the most common type of cadence in popular music because it provides a strong sense of resolution.

A perfect cadence ends on the tonic chord, while an imperfect cadence ends on the dominant chord. The perfect cadence is more conclusive than the imperfect cadence.

A plagal cadence ends on the tonic chord, while a deceptive cadence ends on the subdominant chord. The plagal cadence is more relaxed than the perfect cadence, while the deceptive cadence is more surprising.

Root position is the most common type of chord inversion in popular music because it is the easiest to play and sing.

A root position chord has the root note in the bass, while a first inversion chord has the third note in the bass. The first inversion chord is often used to add color and interest to a chord progression.

A first inversion chord has the third note in the bass, while a second inversion chord has the fifth note in the bass. The second inversion chord is often used to add tension and drama to a chord progression.

A second inversion chord has the fifth note in the bass, while a third inversion chord has the seventh note in the bass. The third inversion chord is often used to add color and interest to a chord progression.

Passing tones are the most common type of non-chord tone in popular music because they are easy to play and sing.

A passing tone moves between two chord tones, while a neighboring tone moves between a chord tone and a non-chord tone. Passing tones are usually played quickly, while neighboring tones are usually played more slowly.

An appoggiatura is a non-chord tone that is played before the chord tone, while a suspension is a non-chord tone that is played after the chord tone and resolves to a chord tone. Appoggiaturas are usually played quickly, while suspensions are usually played more slowly.