But as Weezer demonstrates, that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t use it in your pop-oriented song. Second, the ii chord isn’t often used in pop, which relies more heavily on the I, IV, V, and vi chords than anything. Really interesting when it works out that way! As you can hear from Weezer’s “Island In The Sun” it’s more laid-back than it is sad or serious. This chord progression is surprising for several reasons.įirst, it begins on the relative minor of the key, and when a song starts on the minor, generally it’s dark, serious, or sad sounding. And then you hear Mayer’s voice bust in and remember, “oh yes, Mayer is a bluesman himself.”Īnd the verse doesn’t get much easier than with this I – IV – I – IV chord progression:Īnd they still managed to work in a solo and a heavier part! Notes About This Chord Progression John Mayer’s “Gravity” opens just as an Eric Clapton song would (bluesy licks and all), and the intro can almost fool you into thinking it’s Slowhand’s latest hit. It will come in handy on a rainy day, and if you pay attention, you will start to notice it everywhere in music you love. What can Green Day teach us about this chord progression? Well, “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)” just goes to show that what might be considered a “happy” progression can work in sad, reflective, and even bittersweet songs.Īnd while it is cliché, it’s a good progression to understand, no matter what key you’re playing in, and to add to your arsenal. It’s a folky acoustic “ballad” of sorts, and it’s more about a bitter parting with an ex than it is about graduation or moving onto a new phase of life (although that’s basically how most people think of it). “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)” is a bit of an unusual song for Green Day, or at least it was at the time. The intro and verse parts to Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)” consist of this chord progression, and as you might expect, the song is in the key of G too. There are numerous variations on the I – I – IV – V chord progression (like I – IV – V – IV), but there’s no denying that it’s an old standby, and one of the most utilized for its consonant, happy, upbeat sound. Top G Major Chord Progressions, Final Thoughts.
Feel free to experiment and have fun! More chords will be added later. Advanced players can set an insane speed with lots of chords. Intermediate players should set the a tempo a bit higher and select more chords. Just follow the chords and play with metronome.īeginners would set the tempo low (70-80 beats per minute), set 4 beats per measure, and pick only a few chords. The tempo can be adjusted to match your own skill level. The app conains a special metronome that generates a "random next chord" two beats before the chord changes so you will have a few moments to set your fingers on the next chord. It involves knowing chord fingerings, and being able to change between them in tempo.Ĭhordtime is a little app I've created to help you practice changing chords in tempo. I know that changing chords quickly and efficiently is the basis of playing any song well, and it needs a lot of practice. I am not a professional, but I have taught several people these instruments. Hi! I'm Tamás, and I've played piano for more than 30 years ukulele and bass for about a decade. Changing chords is one of the most important skills to master in order to create your own songs or to play covers of other great compositions. Grab your ukulele, guitar, or any other instrument you want, and get ready to improve your chord-changing skills.