Nathaniel School of Music

How to Compose Original Chord Progressions on Piano (Songwriting Theory)

To compose original chord progressions, start with the diatonic triads of a major scale, then widen your vocabulary step by step with add chords and sevenths, slash chords, chords borrowed from parallel scales, and secondary dominants that point towards the next chord.

Video lesson by Jason Zac · Intermediate · 34 min

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Key points

What this lesson teaches

In this songwriting theory lesson, Jason Zac of Nathaniel School of Music sets out a series of levels for writing chord progressions on piano, all in the key of C major. They are less about skill grades and more about ways to grow your chord vocabulary. It suits beginner pianists, aspiring songwriters and working musicians who feel their progressions have become predictable.

Level 1: Diatonic triads

Build a triad on each note of the C major scale:

Remember the chart: I, IV and V are major; ii, iii and vi are minor; vii is diminished. A minor third between the first two notes makes a chord minor, and a major third makes it major. The diminished chord contains a tense tritone, which is why it is rare in pop songs.

Because every chord comes from the same scale, progressions such as I–vi–IV–V or I–IV–V will always work together. You can pick chords at random, or start from a tune and test which chords suit each melody note. Several may work, so choose the one that does not clash and gives the emotion you want.

Level 2: Add chords, suspensions and sevenths

Keep a chord's mood but add a note. Over C major you can add a 2 (D), a 4 (F) or a 6 (A). Sevenths are not called add chords; the diatonic sevenths in C are Cmaj7, Dm7, Em7, Fmaj7, G7, Am7 and Bm7b5 (B D F A, named for its flat fifth). These extra notes can also inspire melodies. An added G in an F add2 chord, or the 4 in a sus4 chord, can suggest a tune, so you can sometimes compose the chords first. You are still using only the seven notes of C major.

Level 3: Slash chords

A slash chord is a chord over a different bass note. Changing the bass transforms how stable a chord feels:

This gives a progression built from C major slash chords: C/E, F, C/G, G, C. The bass need not be a chord tone either. F major in the right hand over a G bass sounds sophisticated and also pulls towards C.

Level 4: Borrowed chords

Borrow chords from a parallel scale, one with the same root. C minor (Aeolian) brings Eb, Ab and Bb, giving bIII (Eb major), bVI (Ab major), bVII (Bb major), ii° (D diminished), iv (F minor) and v (G minor). F minor to C is the minor plagal cadence, a lovely ending. An Eb chord in a chorus can make it heavier. When you borrow, adjust your melody to avoid singing E over an Eb chord. You can also borrow from C Mixolydian (Bb major) or C Lydian, whose F# adds colour.

Level 5: Secondary chords

Choose a chord based on the next chord. Between C and A minor, play the chord a perfect fifth above the target: E major or E7, the V of A minor. It lies outside C major, which is why it is called a secondary chord.

Level 6: Adding chords between chords

If each chord lasts four beats and feels boring, fill the space. Put the V of each target before it: E7 before A minor, C before F. Go further by placing the ii of the target before that V: B, E, A minor, following neighbours on the Circle of Fifths. The ii can be major, minor or diminished depending on the vibe. For F, use G minor then C, then F.

How to practise

  1. Write out the diatonic chart and the borrowed-chord chart for C.
  2. Try each level on one progression and sing or play a melody over it.
  3. Start with whatever comes naturally: melody, chords, groove or lyrics.
  4. Go with the flow, refine the next day, and always record and back up your work.

Questions about this lesson

What are the diatonic chords in C major?

C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major, A minor and B diminished. These are the I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi and vii° chords.

What is a borrowed chord?

It is a chord taken from a parallel scale with the same root, such as C minor while you are in C major. Examples include Eb major, Ab major, Bb major and F minor.

How do I choose a secondary dominant?

Look at the chord you are heading to and play the major or dominant seventh chord a perfect fifth above it. For A minor, that is E or E7.

Should I write the melody or the chords first?

There is no fixed order. Start with whatever comes naturally, whether that is the melody, the chords, the groove or the lyrics.

Practise it

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