What is a chord progression?

What is a chord progression?

• A. A chain of triads, each pulling to the next.
• B. A single triad that repeats identically.
• C. A sequence of notes in a scale.
• D. A melody line with rhythmic variations.

Answer: (A)

A chord progression is the sequence of chords that move from one to the next in a piece of music, creating harmonic motion and a sense of direction. This is best described as a chain of triads, each pulling to the next, so the harmony feels like it’s flowing toward a resolution. For example, in C major, moving from C major to F major to G major and back to C major shows how the chords guide the listener forward and back home. Why the other descriptions don’t fit: a single triad that repeats identically sounds static and lacks progression; a sequence of notes in a scale describes melodic movement rather than harmony; a melody line with rhythmic variations focuses on tune rather than the harmonic backbone that chords provide.

A chord progression is the sequence of chords that move from one to the next in a piece of music, creating harmonic motion and a sense of direction. This is best described as a chain of triads, each pulling to the next, so the harmony feels like it’s flowing toward a resolution. For example, in C major, moving from C major to F major to G major and back to C major shows how the chords guide the listener forward and back home.

Why the other descriptions don’t fit: a single triad that repeats identically sounds static and lacks progression; a sequence of notes in a scale describes melodic movement rather than harmony; a melody line with rhythmic variations focuses on tune rather than the harmonic backbone that chords provide.