Le cycle diatonique

Music Lesson: Chord Progressions in the Key of F

When you played "Open Up," you used all the chords in the key of F at some point in the tune. We divided them into three tonal areas:

• Based on the root
• Based on the fourth
• Based on the fifth

Very often, you'll find all the chords of a key used in the same tune in this way. A common way they're organized can be referred to as the Diatonic Song Cycle. This occurs when all the chords progress up in fourths.

Example in the Key of C

In the key of C, starting on C, the next chords would be:

• F
• B half diminished
• E minor 7
• A minor 7
• D minor 7
• G7
• C major

I'm moving alternately up a fourth and down a fifth. This is because going down a fifth is the same as going up a fourth, you arrive at the same note. Continuing to go up would raise the bass too high. Therefore, we alternate movements up and down.

Right Hand Technique

Notice that my right hand was moving all over the place, alternating up and down as well. However, that's not a very practical way to play the cycle. Let's try alternating inversions:

1. Root Position: C
2. Second Inversion: F
3. B Half Diminished
4. Root Position: G
5. E Minor 7
6. A Minor 7
7. Root Position: D Minor 7
8. Second Inversion: G Major
9. Finishing on C Major: Second Inversion

We started on root position and ended up quite a bit lower on the second inversion. Now, these chords flow really well, focusing on voice leading.

Voice Leading

Notice how two notes stay the same? You can see that on the figure. The parallel lines join the notes that don't change alternately, whether it's the bottom two notes or the top two notes.

The chord progression we've been discussing is:

• 1
• 4
• 7
• 3
• 6
• 2
• 5
• 1

Left Hand Technique

Now, in the left hand, you need to play those chords as well. Perhaps down here? Did you notice how it started too low? I've moved it down an octave, but it's still too low. Therefore, it would benefit you to learn this in the opposite inversions:

• Starting on the Second Inversion
• Root Position
• Second Inversion: B Half Diminished
• Root Position: E Minor
• Second Inversion: A Minor 7
• Root Position: D Minor
• Second Inversion: G7
• Root Position: C Major

Practice Tips

Get in the habit of doing this in time. Aim for 120 beats per minute, with a whole bar on each chord:

• Count: 2, 3, 4

If that feels easy, try it with two clicks per chord or increase the speed. Your goal is to play the chords confidently on the first beat of the bar, taking control of both the timing of the chords and the notes.