Chordpiano-Workshop Part III

Chord progressions 7
The chord progression I-IV-V-I, also known as classical cadenza
In the classical cadenza you put the subdominant on the IV. step in front of the
dominant on the V. step. It is said that traditionally these three chords were taken
out of a key to make music with, because they are the only major chords in the
musical scale of a given key. This is what the chord progression looks like:
I
maj7
- IV
maj7
- V
7
- I
maj7
Lesson 20
The chord progression I
maj7
- IV
maj7
- V
7
- I
maj7
in the F key is F
maj7
- B
b maj7
- C
7
-F
maj7
.
Play these chords in such a way that they are all close to each other not all of
them in their root position, it sounds better. You can play the three chords in the
F key on the left side:
B
b
F C
7
Third Root note Fifth Minor seventh Fifth Third Root note Third Root note
I

tonic V
7
dominant IV

subdominant

5
2
1
B

5
2
1
C7

F
Fig.: I
maj7
- IV
maj7
- V
7
- I
maj7
in the key of F with fngering - left hand
Look at the position in the following sheet. You can practice the I - IV - V - I
chord progression very well across 4 beats. The calm tonic often starts and ends
a piece.
Calm Tension lead to tension
Chordpiano-Workshop Part III
Chord progressions 8
The chords sound best in the middle position. When they are played too high,
they sound too thin. On the other hand, played too low, everything gives off a
kind of buzz and the clarity of the sound is gone. Play the triads with your right
and left hand and do the same for tetrads. Use both hands at once to play them
without using the same note twice. Try to fnd the most comfortable position for
yourself. It should feel and sound good while playing, so pay close attention to
the sound. Here are some suggestions for good positions of the I IV V I
chord progression with various keys in mind.
Overview for the I-IV-V-I chord progression in all keys
Chord progression I

-

IV - V
7
- I
Key F:/ F B
b
C
7
F
Key B
b
:/ B
b
E
b
F
7
B
b
Key E
b
:/ E
b
A
b
B
b7
E
b
Key A
b
:/ A
b
D
b
E
b7
A
b
Key D
b
:/ D
b
G
b
A
b7
D
b
Key G
b
:/ G
b
C
b
(B) D
b7
G
b
Key B:/ B E F
#7
B
Key E:/ E A H
7
E
Key A:/ A D E
7
A
Key D:/ D G A
7
D
Key G:/ G C D
7
G
Key C:/ C F G
7
C
A noticeable quality of this chord progression is the fact that all included chords
stem from a single musical scale. This means you can play all of the chords with
notes from the same musical scale.
Fig.: (I) - IV - V - I
To give you an easier time fnding the dominant on the step V7, a minor seventh
was added just for this chord. The other chords are given as triads.

Fmaj7

maj7

5
2
1

C7

5
2
1

Fmaj7

I
maj7
tonic V
7
dominant I
maj7
tonic IV
maj7

Calm Tension lead to tension Calm
Chordpiano-Workshop Part III
Chord progressions 9
If you want to learn more about:
- Chord progressions
- How to fnd out which musical scale fts which chord
- Harmonizing the melody with chords
- Bass accompaniment
- A cool groove at the piano
Then click here and fnd out using
the Chordpiano-Workshop