Harmonic function of chords - How do we use chords and scales in songs? Part IV

One of the most common chord cycles is the cycle of fifths. This is created by stacking fifth intervals one after another. (an interval is the distance between each note. There are twelve notes so there are twelve intervals - more on this later) 

Starting on C then moving to G, D, A, E, B, F#, C# this is commonly called the cycle of fifths.

Each note is a fifth interval away from the previous note.

Starting on C then moving to F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb this is commonly called the cycle of fourths. Each note is a four interval away from the previous note.

Common chord progression using cycle of fifths:

C maj //// G maj //// Dm //// Am //// Em //// Bm7b5 //// C maj ////

Notice that the cycle can be applied to one or many sections of a song and then return to the origanal key.

Common chord progression using cycle of fourths:

C maj //// F maj //// Bm7b5 //// Em //// Am //// Dm //// G7 //// C ////

These two previous example stayed within the scale (diatonic). 

 

Also the chords can either stay within the family of chords (diatonic) or be a chord group outside of the tonic family of chords (tonic means original key). See below:

C maj //// F maj //// Bb7 //// Eb7 //// 

In this example the dominant chords are not within the C major scale.

This is called ascending fouths because each chord is a fourth interval from the previous. 

Also cycles can use groups of chord types:

E7 //// A7 //// D7 //// G7 //// C maj //// this is using dominant chord types. 

(sometimes called chained secondary dominants cycle).

Em //// Am //// Dm //// G7 //// C maj //// this is using minor chord types.

Cycles can be ascending (up) or descending (back). The previous was ascending.

C maj //// Ab7 //// F7 ////  This is a descending cycle.

Also it is common to move descending fifths in whole step intervals:

C maj //// G maj //// D maj //// A maj //// E maj ////

C to G is a fifth above but played lower in tone. D to A is a whole step away from C and G.

Another common chord cycle:

C //// A7 //// D //// B7 //// E //// C#7 //// F# //// Eb7 //// Ab //// F7 //// Bb //// G7 //// C ////

Also called V of I. Many times in cycles like this the bass note is moving chromatically.

C //// A7/C# ////  D //// B7/D# ////  E //// C#7/F ////  F# //// Eb7/G ////  Ab //// F7/A //// 

Bb //// G7/B //// C //// 

The / after a chord indicates which note is the lowest tone played in the chord. 

Also called inversions. More on this later. 

Also chords are moved in minor third intervals:

Cmaj7 //// Eb maj7 ////F# maj7 //// A maj7 //// C maj7/// 

Many times a cycle ends back to the original starting chord.