Synths, notes and chords
Chord progressions that always work (and how to play them free)
A handful of chord progressions sit under thousands of songs, such as I-V-vi-IV in pop, ii-V-I in jazz and vi-IV-I-V for something sadder. Roman numerals name each chord by its position in the key, so a progression works in any key. POLY-6, the free chord synth in EASY RAVE, has these progressions as presets and keeps every chord in your key.
How do Roman numerals work in chord progressions?
Every key has 7 chords, one built on each note of its scale. Musicians number them with Roman numerals so a progression can be written once and played in any key:
| Numeral | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In C major | C | Dm | Em | F | G | Am | Bdim |
| In G major | G | Am | Bm | C | D | Em | F#dim |
Upper case means a major chord, lower case a minor chord, and the small circle a diminished one. So "I-V-vi-IV" in C is C, G, Am, F, and in G it is G, D, Em, C. Same shape, different starting point.
Which chord progressions always work?
These 9 are the ones POLY-6 has in its PRESETS menu, with the chords in C major:
| Preset | Numerals | In C major | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pop | I-V-vi-IV | C, G, Am, F | Countless pop songs: bright and familiar |
| Sad | vi-IV-I-V | Am, F, C, G | The same 4 chords, starting on the minor one |
| Lo-fi | I-vi-ii-V | C, Am, Dm, G | Jazzy and looping, the lo-fi staple |
| Jazz | ii-V-I-vi | Dm, G, C, Am | The ii-V-I, the core move of jazz |
| Neo-soul | IV-iii-vi-I | F, Em, Am, C | Warm and bittersweet |
| Dream | I-iii-vi-IV | C, Em, Am, F | Floating, hazy |
| Deep | ii-V-vi-IV | Dm, G, Am, F | Late night deep house |
| Chicago | vi-IV-ii-V | Am, F, Dm, G | Soulful, classic house |
| Epic | i-VII-VI-VII | Am, G, F, G (in A minor) | Big minor-key anthem |
Why do they work? Each one moves between chords that share notes, and most end on a V or a IV that pulls the ear back to the start. That pull is what makes a loop of 4 chords feel like it could go on forever.
How do you play a chord progression in EASY RAVE?
- Open EASY RAVE and find CHORDS (POLY-6).
- Open PRESETS on its sequencer bar and pick a progression. It is written into the sequencer and loops with the rest of the track.
- Choose a ROOT and SCALE at the top of the screen. POLY-6's presets are stored as positions in the scale (1st chord, 5th chord and so on), so they follow whatever key you pick.
- Try different CHORD SETS: Basic, Classic, Lush, Dreamy, Deep and Chicago give the same 7 chords different voicings, from plain triads to 7ths and 9ths.
To play chords by hand, use the 7 chord pads under the sequencer, or press LIVE and play them on keys 1 to 7: each key is one chord of the key, in order. Hit ● REC for a one bar count-in and POLY-6 remembers each chord exactly as long as you held it.
What are CHORD SETS?
A chord set is a palette of voicings for the 7 chords of the key. In Basic, the chords are simple. In Lush or Dreamy, every chord gets extra notes such as 7ths and 9ths, picked so the whole set shares one colour.
Because every voicing is built from notes of your scale, any chord in any set fits with the others and with the bass. Like a chord? The ★ on each pad saves it into the Favorites set on that key, so you can build your own palette.
What do the CHORDS, NOTES and SLOTS tabs do?
| Tab | How you write | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| CHORDS | Each row is a whole chord: click to place it on the grid | Fast progressions |
| NOTES | Each row is a single note | Building your own voicings note by note |
| SLOTS | Fill slots with chords and give each a length in bars (1, 2, 4 or 8) | Writing a whole song's chords quickly |
What if the progression is in a minor key?
The same numbers work, but the chords change quality. In a natural minor key, the 1st, 4th and 5th chords are minor and the 3rd, 6th and 7th are major. EASY RAVE starts in C Natural Minor, so the presets sound moodier until you switch SCALE to Major. Neither is wrong: try a progression in both and keep the one that suits the track. Music scales for beginners explains the scales.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common chord progression?
I-V-vi-IV is one of the most common progressions in pop music: C, G, Am, F in the key of C. Its rotation vi-IV-I-V (Am, F, C, G) is just as common and sounds a little sadder because it starts on the minor chord.
What chord progression is used in lo-fi?
Lo-fi often uses jazz-style loops of 7th chords, such as I-vi-ii-V or ii-V-I. Playing them with 7ths and 9ths and a soft, filtered sound gives the lo-fi colour. POLY-6 in EASY RAVE has a Lo-fi I-vi-ii-V preset.
Can I use a chord progression in any key?
Yes. Roman numerals describe each chord's position in the key, so a progression keeps its sound in every key. In EASY RAVE, changing ROOT moves every chord, the bass and the lead together.