Chord Progressions
Chords are usually played in a repeating sequence called a chord progression. A chord progression may repeat every 2, 4, 8, 12 or 16 bars. This could mean that the progression is repeated many times within a verse (as in many Rock songs), or that it may be the same length as the verse.
The best way to learn about chords and chord progressions is to learn a bit of basic guitar or keyboard. Many singers like to accompany themselves on guitar or keyboard, so a little knowledge in this area can have a practical value as well as helping you learn more about music. Progressive Beginner Guitar and Progressive Beginner Piano will provide a good introduction to these instruments.
If you read through the music to Banks of the Ohio you will notice three different chord symbols – C, F and G. These chords all work for melodies in the key of C, because the chords themselves are created from the notes of the C major scale. Shown next are the chords F and G as they would be played on a keyboard. Look at the notes involved in these chords. If you add up all the different notes in C, F and G, you end up with all the notes of the C major scale. This means that you can use any notes from these three chords to harmonize any melody created from the C major scale.
The F Chord
An F Major chord (usually just called an F chord) is made up of the notes F, A and C.
The G Chord
An F Major chord (usually just called an F chord) is made up of the notes F, A and C, as shown in the diagram.
Here is the C Major Scale harmonized with the chords C, F and G. The notes of the chords have been re-arranged so that they are close together on the keyboard. This produces a smoother sound. Different arrangements of the notes of chords are called inversions.
