Chord Progressions

Isus - I - I2 - I

This progression was made popular in the 70s in Barry Manilow’s song, “Can’t Smile Without You”. In it, the third note of a chord is altered by starting with the suspended 4th, then resolving to the major chord, then changing to a suspended second, and resolving again with the major chord. Try it in the following examples:

Dsus-D-D2-D

Listen to this progression in the key of D:

Dsus - D - D2 - D

Asus-A-A2-A

Listen to this progression in the key of A:

Asus - A - A2 - A

Familiarizing yourself with different chord progressions is a great way to help develop your ear for music. You will begin to recognize these progression in various songs.

3 Comments

Oluj Jemiraye on October 23, 2011 at 5:31 pm

Thanks
i like chord layout diagrams

can you pleas send me others the way you’ve
layed them out such as
Asus A A2 A
Bsus B B2 B
Csus C C2 C
Dsus D D2 D
Esus E E2 E
Fsua F F2 F
Gsus G G2 G
Thank you
Reply
David on August 3, 2011 at 2:04 pm

These progressions listed so far often start on a major chord. The bass line progressions in the other section can be started anywhere, consequently on a minor chord and proceed from there.
Reply
Martin Bur on August 3, 2011 at 1:32 pm

These progressions are really useful and very nice. I play tango which is often in minor keys. Are your progressions also for minor keys?
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