What you’ll learn
- Learn the seven degrees of a major key.
- Hear tension and resolution.
- Recognize recurring progressions.
Before you practice
Diatonic chords are built from notes in a scale. In C major the basic chords are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and B diminished. Each has a scale degree.
The I, IV, V and vi chords appear in many popular songs. Listen for rest, preparation and return.
Transposing changes the chord names while keeping the relationships between degrees. This helps you recognize the same progression in different keys.
Lesson exercise
- Loop C → Am → F → G.
- Transpose it to G: G → Em → C → D.
- Listen for the chord that pulls you back to the first one.