basic chord progression practice

[johngray]

are these progressions for piano or can play on bass ????
bro gray
denver colorado

Here is "Amazing Grace" using 1-4-5-1 and V7:

Key of C  LH/RH

A-
C / E-G-C (1) mazing
C / G-C-E (1) grace how
F / F-A-C (4) sweet the
C / C-E-G (1) sound, that
C / E-G-C (1) saved a
C / G-C-E (1) wretched like
G / B-D-G (5) me, I
C / C-E-G (1) once was
C / G-C-E (1) lost, but
F / F-A-C (4) now I'm
C / C-E-G (1) found was
C / E-G-C (1) blind, but
G / G-C-E (5) now
G / F-G-B-D (V7) I
C / E-G-C (1) see

[T-Block]

The progression numbers is the bass notes, that's where the name progression comes from.  So, yes you can play them on the bass too.

[karltondt]

Hey T-Block,

   I truly appreciate that post with the chord progression to Amazing Grace.  I know that there are several ways to play the same song. So I'd like to offer an alternate progression to practice. I'm a beginner musician and like to BLESS other beginner musicians.  

AMAZING GRACE:
Key: C

LH/RH (Chords)
A,B,C single notes played seperately

G,A,C
 A

C-G-C/E-G-C
Ma

E,D,C
Zing

C-G-C/G-C-E
Grace

C-G-C/G-Bb-D
How

F-C/F-A-C
Sweet

C-F/C-F-A
The

C-G/C-E-G
Sound

G,A,C
That

A-E-A/E-A-C
Saved

C,E,D
A

C-G-C/G-C-E
Wretch

D,G
Like

G-D-G/B-D-G
Me

E,G
I

C-G-C/C-E-G
Once

E,D,C
Was

C-G-C/G-C-E
Lost

C-G-C/G-Bb-D
But

F-C/F-A-C
Now

C-F/C-F-A
I'm

C-G/C-E-G
Found

G,A,C
Was

A-E-A/E-A-C
Blind

E,D,C
But

C-D-C/G-C-E
Now

G-D-G/G-B-D
I

C-G-C/F-A-C
See

C-G-C/E-G-C
(ee)

I truly hope that this blesses someone and their ministry. I thank God for a site like this were we all can uplift and help one another grow into the musicians that God would have us to be.

Karltondt

[dallan855]

T-Block, thank you for your post - you blessed me.

[potatox2]

this is my first time here. I just wanted to thank you man for really making me happy and into the bass. I'm a total beginner, but thank God I won't because of people like you. God bless

[lilMsKiki]

These posts are going to keep me busy for quite some time. My printer is out but I did save this in Microsoft Word and will be printing it a the library tomorrow.

[Angua]

what great stuff. God bless you T-block

[bongcai]

Thanks T-Block, that's awesome. I will try it at home.
Anyway I think there's another progression that is played a lot, it is IV -> VI

Usually it goes like this:

461/4 ->572/4 -> 357/3 -> 361/6

But you can change it like this to make it more interesting:

461/4 -> 612#4#/7 -> 357/3 -> 361/6

or change the 4 into 2m, like these:

241/2 -> 1#47/1# ->735/1 -> 5#6#5/6

or

241/2 -> 735#/1# ->735/1 >5#6#5/6

[T-Block]

bongcai wrote:

Thanks T-Block, that's awesome. I will try it at home.
Anyway I think there's another progression that is played a lot, it is IV -> VI

Usually it goes like this:

461/4 ->572/4 -> 357/3 -> 361/6

But you can change it like this to make it more interesting:

461/4 -> 612#4#/7 -> 357/3 -> 361/6

or change the 4 into 2m, like these:

241/2 -> 1#47/1# ->735/1 -> 5#6#5/6

or

241/2 -> 735#/1# ->735/1 >5#6#5/6

Those numbers refering to scale degrees right?  If so, then yes you could use that. 

[bongcai]

Those numbers refering to scale degrees right?  If so, then yes you could use that. 

Yes T-Block, those numbers refering to the scale degrees. Also, in my humble opinion, if we moved the progression by half step and/or by the interval of 3, we can get some "jazzy" flow.

Here it how it goes with Amazing Graze.  My wish is this can be a blessing for our ministry.

Key: G


A

G Maj 7
MaZing

F# half dim
Grace

B7#9#5
How

Em
Sweet

Ebmn
The

Dm
Sound

Db 13
That

C Maj
Saved

B7#5#9
A

Em
Wretch

A7
Like

Dsus4
Me

Ab13
I

Bm
Once

Bb13
Was

Dm
Lost

Db13
But

CMaj9
Now

B7 #5#9
I'm

Am
Found

Ab13
Was

Cm7
Blind

F7
But

Am
Now

D7
I

GMaj7
See

[T-Block]

What I mean is that when you post you should explain to us how to read it.  Not everyone can understand theory so u gotta make it plain and simple.

[bongcai]

Alright, I will make it plain and simple next time so everyone can understand. 
T-Block, I like your chord progression that you posted for the open worship (the 1 -> 1/7b -> 4m/6 -> 6m/4 -> 5 -> 1).
Can you share to us more of that stuff, please. My church plays a lot of open worship 
Thanx in advance.

[bongcai]

 1 -> 1/7b -> 4/6 -> 6m/4 -> 5 -> 1

If play in C, it is:

RH/LH

351/1 -> 351/7b -> 614/6 -> 613/4 > 572/5 > 351/1

[bongcai]

Man ... how do we edit posts in this board? Please ignore my post above

 1 -> 1/7b -> 4/6 -> 6m/4 -> 5 -> 1

If play in C, it is:

RH/LH

EGC/C -> EGC/Bb -> ACF/A -> ACE/F -> GBD/G ->EGC/C

[cathymerideth]

Thank you so much for the Basic Progressions you posted. I was wondering, I have seen a lot of musicians play their bass hand with at least two fingers (c-c) for instance, how can I do that?

[sjonathan02]

Thank you so much for the Basic Progressions you posted. I was wondering, I have seen a lot of musicians play their bass hand with at least two fingers (c-c) for instance, how can I do that?

The short answer is practice. You will begin to build "muscle memory" and thusly your fingers will be able to hit various numbers of notes. But, it takes practice.

I'm trying to practice playing shell chords in my left hand, and playing runs in my right. It feels hopeless sometimes.

[T-Block]

Thank you so much for the Basic Progressions you posted. I was wondering, I have seen a lot of musicians play their bass hand with at least two fingers (c-c) for instance, how can I do that?

Just use your pinky and thumb in your LH.  Some people like to play 2 roots and the 5th.  For example: C-G-C  To play this with you left hand, use your pinky, index finger, and thumb.  And there are those who like to chord with their LH also.  Fingerings switch depending on the chord.

[fibro]

BASIC PROGRESSIONS

A progression is simply a group of 2 or more chords.  Each chord u play leads, or progresses, to the next chord.  The ultimate goal is to get back to the 1 chord of the key u in.  Progressions get their name from the bass / left hand notes u play.  This is based off the circle of 4ths, which is the circle of 5ths in reverse.  Here are the progressions that are used the most in gospel music.  I'll put them in the key of C:

First, the members of C:
C=1  D=2  E=3  F=4  G=5  A=6  B=7


1-5-1

This progression is usually found at the end of a song.  As u are playing this, once u play the 5, u should feel a strong urge play the 1.:

C / C-E-G (1)    C / C-E-G (1)     C / E-G-C (1)    C / G-C-E (1)
G / G-B-D (5)    G / B-D-G (5)     G / D-G-B (5)    G / G-B-D (5)
(repeat)            (repeat)              (repeat)            (repeat)


1-V7-1 progression

This is just a little variation of the 1-5-1 progression.  By adding in the minor 7th, it creates an even stronger urge to go to 1.  Now, u don't add the 7th of the key u in, u add the 7th of the chord.  The correct term for the V7 chord is the dominant 7th chord:

C / C-E-G (1)      C / C-E-G (1)       C / E-G-C (1)
G / G-B-D-F (5)   G / B-D-F-G (5)    G / D-F-G-B (5)
(repeat)              (repeat)               (repeat)

C / G-C-E (1)       C / G-C-E (1)
G / F-G-B-D (5)    G / G-B-D-F (5)
(repeat)               (repeat)


1-4-1 progression

This progression is also called the "Amen" progression:

C / C-E-G (1)    C / C-E-G (1)     C / E-G-C (1)     C / G-C-E (1)
F / F-A-C (4)     F / C-F-A (4)       F / F-A-C (4)      F / A-C-F (4)
(repeat)            (repeat)             (repeat)             (repeat)


1-4-5-1 progression

This is the most basic progression that can be used to play a whole song.  A lot of the hymns follow this progression:

C / C-E-G (1)       C / C-E-G (1)      C / E-G-C (1)     C / G-C-E (1)
F / F-A-C (4)         F / C-F-A (4)       F / F-A-C (4)      F / A-C-F (4)
G / G-B-D (5)       G / B-D-G (5)      G / D-G-B (5)     G / G-B-D (5)
(repeat)               (repeat)              (repeat)             (repeat)


1-4-V7-1 progression

This is a variation of the 1-4-5-1 progression.  Instead of playing a regular 5 chord, you can play a V7 chord:

C / C-E-G (1)      C / C-E-G (1)       C / E-G-C (1)
F / F-A-C (4)        F / C-F-A (4)        F / F-A-C (4)
G / G-B-D-F (5)   G / B-D-F-G (5)    G / D-F-G-B (5)  
(repeat)              (repeat)               (repeat)

C / G-C-E (1)      C / G-C-E (1)
F / A-C-F (4)        F / A-C-F (4)
G / G-B-D-F (5)   G / F-G-B-D (5)
(repeat)              (repeat)


Dominant 7th chord to 4

Whenever u have any kind of major chord, you can add the minor 7th of that chord.  Once u do that, it becomes a dominant 7th chord.  It naturally wants to go to 4 of the chord.  Key does not matter here:

C / C-E-G-Bb          C / C-E-G-Bb          C / E-G-Bb-C  
F / F-A-C (4 of C)    F / C-F-A (4 of C)    F / F-A-C (4 of C)  
(repeat)                 (repeat)                  (repeat)

C / G-Bb-C-E          C / Bb-C-E-G
F / A-C-F (4 of C)    F / A-C-F (4 of C)
(repeat)                 (repeat)


7-3-6 progression

This is a progression that by itself doesn't mean much.  But, when u add other progressions to it, it sounds really good:

B / B-D-F (7)     B / B-D-F (7)      B / B-D-F (7)
E / E-G-B (3)     E / G-B-E (3)      E / B-E-G (3)
A / A-C-E (6)     A / A-C-E (6)      A / C-E-A (6)
(repeat)            (repeat)             (repeat)

B / D-F-B (7)     B / F-B-D (7)
E / E-G-B (3)     E / G-B-E (3)
A / E-A-C (6)     A / A-C-E (6)
(repeat)            (repeat)


2-5-1 progression

This progression can be used instead of the 1-4-5-1 progression.  Sort of like a substitute progression.  I like this one better than 1-4-5-1 cuz it sounds better to me:

D / D-F-A (2)     D / A-D-F (2)      D / D-F-A (2)     D / F-A-D (2)
G / G-B-D (5)    G / B-D-G (5)     G / D-G-B (5)     G / G-B-D (5)
C / C-E-G (1)     C / C-E-G (1)     C / E-G-C (1)     C / G-C-E (1)
(repeat)            (repeat)              (repeat)             (repeat)


3-6-2-5-1 progression

This progression is the musical ZIP CODE.  If you want your chords to flow smoothly and naturally from chord to chord, follow this pattern as much as possible:

E / E-G-B (3)      E / G-B-E (3)      E / B-E-G (3)      E / E-G-B (3)
A / A-C-E (6)      A / A-C-E (6)      A / C-E-A (6)     A / E-A-C (6)
D / D-F-A (2)      D / A-D-F (2)      D / D-F-A (2)     D / F-A-D (2)
G / G-B-D (5)     G / B-D-G (5)     G / D-G-B (5)     G / G-B-D (5)
C / C-E-G (1)     C / C-E-G (1)      C / E-G-C (1)     C / G-C-E (1)
(repeat)             (repeat)              (repeat)            (repeat)


7-3-6-2-5-1 progression

As you can see from the name, it just combines all of the progressions above into one big progression:

B / B-D-F (7)     B / B-D-F (7)     B / B-D-F (7)
E / E-G-B (3)     E / G-B-E (3)     E / B-E-G (3)
A / A-C-E (6)     A / A-C-E (6)     A / C-E-A (6)
D / D-F-A (2)     D / A-D-F (2)     D / D-F-A (2)
G / G-B-D (5)    G / B-D-G (5)    G / D-G-B (5)
C / C-E-G (1)    C / C-E-G (1)     C / E-G-C (1)
(repeat)            (repeat)            (repeat)

B / D-F-B (7)      B / F-B-D (7)
E / E-G-B (3)      E / G-B-E (3)
A / E-A-C (6)     A / A-C-E (6)
D / F-A-D (2)     D / A-D-F (2)
G / G-B-D (5)    G / B-D-G (5)
C / G-C-E (1)    C / C-E-G (1)
(repeat)            (repeat)


Get familiar with all these progressions.  Listen to how each one sounds.  Also, pay attention to the inversions used.  I tried to use inversions of each chord that allow u to flow to the next chord w/out moving your hands too much.  It is very important to use the nearest inversion of a chord so u don't have to jump around the keyboard, unless u want to.  Since these are just basic progressions, i will be back with more familiar variations of these progressions that you hear in almost all gospel music today.

Hi,

T-Block you have got it going on. Thank you for the lesson. I understand concepts better than I can play them, but I know I must practice.

Thank you so much for the blessing.

God bless
Leresa

[rjthakid]

Thank you so much for the Basic Progressions you posted. I was wondering, I have seen a lot of musicians play their bass hand with at least two fingers (c-c) for instance, how can I do that?

I practice going up the keyboard in half steps using the 1-5-1:

Left Hand:

C-G-C

Db-Ab-Db

D-A-D

Eb-Bb-Eb

E-B-E

F-C-F

Gb-Db-Gb

G-D-G

Ab-Eb-Ab

A-E-A

Bb-F-Bb

B-Gb-B

Then go back down in half-steps, which I've found to be a little harder than going up.

Once I get to the point where it's automatic, I'll add Right Hand chords to  it   

[lfifega]

I know this is not new post, but it's new to me.  I must stop and thank you for your obedience to God.  This is really a blessing to me.   GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME...!!!!