Music Theory for EDM Part 2: Advanced Chord Progressions

Welcome back to the Music Theory for EDM series! In Part 1, we covered the fundamentals. Now let's unlock the most powerful chord progressions that define EDM and create those emotional journeys listeners love.

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The Progression Formula

Understanding Chord Functions

In a key, each chord plays a specific role:

I (Tonic): The home key - most stable
ii: Subdominant - prepares return to tonic
iii: Mediant - creates movement, adds emotion
IV: Subdominant - prepares return to tonic
V: Dominant - creates tension, wants resolution
vi: Submediant - relative minor, creates emotional depth
vii° (Leading tone): Creates tension, resolves to tonic

Roman Numerals

Chord identification system:

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The Most Powerful Progressions

1. The I-vi-vi-iv (Avicii's Secret Weapon)

In C Major: C - F - G - Am - F

Why it works:

• Purely uplifting and euphoric
• Perfect for festival drops
• Creates instant emotional connection
• Used in: Avicii "Levels", Swedish House Mafia "Miami to Ibiza"

Voice leading breakdown:

C (I) → F (vi) : Step movement, common tone C
F (vi) → G (IV) : Step movement, common tone F
G (IV) → Am (vi) : Step movement, common tone G
Am (vi) → F (V) : Smooth resolution, common tone F

Emotional journey: Happy → More happy → Bright → Climax → Resolution

2. The I-V-vi-IV-vi (Modern Classic)

In C Major: C - F - G - C - F

Why it works:

• Versatile and familiar
• Works for happy and uplifting tracks
• Perfect for House and Progressive House

Common variations:

• I-V-ii-V (C - F - Dm - G - C)
• I-vi-iii-IV-vi (C - Am - Em - F - Dm - F)

3. The I-IV-V (The "Three Chord Trick")

In C Major: C - F - G

Why it works:

• Simple, direct, and effective
• Perfect for minimal tracks
• Builds tension and releases cleanly

In practice:

• Verse: I - IV - V (C - F - G)
• Pre-chorus: I - IV (C - F - G)
• Chorus: V - I (G - C) - Creates resolution

4. The Descending Fifth Progression

In C Major: C - F - B♭ - F

Why it works:

• Uses borrowed chord (B♭ from C Minor)
• More complex, interesting sound
• Creates emotional journey
• Perfect for Deep House and Trance

Analysis:

C (I) → F (IV) : Straight movement
F (IV) → B♭ (ii°) : Borrowed chord, creates surprise
B♭ (ii°) → F (V) : Strong resolution to dominant

5. The Circle of Fifths Progression

In C Major: C - G - Am - F

Why it works:

• Natural voice leading (following circle of 5ths)
• Smooth, satisfying movement
• Perfect for melodic trance

Voice leading:

C (I) → G (V) : Strong downward movement
G (V) → Am (vi) : Smooth step
Am (vi) → F (IV) : Smooth step

6. The vi-IV-V (Emotional Depth)

In C Major: Am - F - G

Why it works:

• Starts on relative minor (emotional)
• Creates contrast and depth
• Perfect for breakdowns and melodic sections

Usage:

Intro/Verse: I - V - I (C - G - C)
Breakdown: vi - IV - V (Am - F - G)
Chorus: I - IV - V - I (C - F - G - C)

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Extended Chords (7ths and 9ths)

Major 7th Chords

Formula: Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 7th

C Major 7th: C - E - G - B

Sound:

• Bright, colorful
• Opens up the progression
• Perfect for festival leads and pads

In practice:

C Maj (I): C-E-G-B → C Maj7: C-E-G-B
F Maj (IV): F-A-C-E → F Maj7: F-A-C-E
G Maj (V): G-B-D-F → G Maj7: G-B-D-F

Major 9th Chords

Formula: Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 7th + Major 9th

C Major 9th: C - E - G - B - D

Sound:

• Very bright
• Jazz-influenced
• Adds sophistication
• Perfect for lead lines

Use sparingly: 9ths can clutter a mix if overused.

Dominant 7th Chords

Formula: Root + Major 3rd + Minor 7th + Perfect 5th

C Dominant 7th: C - E - G - B♭ - G

Sound:

• Tense, unstable
• Creates strong desire to resolve
• Perfect for building tension

Usage:

Verse: I - IV - V7 (C - F - G7)
Pre-chorus: V7 - I (G7 - C)
Resolution: I (C Maj) - Satisfying release

Minor 7th Chords

Formula: Root + Minor 3rd + Minor 7th + Perfect 5th

C Minor 7th: C - E♭ - G - B♭ - G

Sound:

• Sophisticated
• Emotional
• Smooth voice leading

Use in: Deep House, Trance, Progressive House

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Modal Interchange (Borrowed Chords)

What is Modal Interchange?

Using chords from parallel minor keys creates complex, interesting harmonies without leaving the original key.

The ♭II from Minor

In C Major, borrow from C Minor: B♭ (F Minor chord in C Major)

Why it's powerful:

• Creates emotional surprise
• Adds unexpected beauty
• Perfect for breakdowns and emotional moments

Voice leading:

C (I) → B♭ (ii°) : Unexpected, but smooth resolution
B♭ (ii°) → F (IV) : Strong downward movement
F (IV) → G (V) : Natural dominant resolution

In practice:

I - V7 - I - IV - V7 (C Maj - F Maj7 - G7 - C Maj)
Replace V7 (G7) with: G7 (still V7) → B♭Maj7
Result: I - V7 - B♭Maj7 - I

The ♭VI from Minor

In C Major, borrow from C Minor: A♭ (F Minor chord in C Major)

Why it's powerful:

• Creates dreamy, mysterious quality
• Adds color and sophistication
• Perfect for ambient sections and atmospheric moments

Usage:

Pad chord: B♭Maj7 (F Minor's 7th)
Ambient section: Emphasize borrowed chord

The Major IV (Lydia)

In C Major: F (IV) → F (Lydian mode)

Sound:

• Bright, happy
• Different from F Major
• Creates sense of wonder

Voice leading:

I (C) → F (IV) : Bright, step up
F (IV/Lydian) → G (V) : Creates Lydian movement
G (V) → C (I) : Resolution

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Voice Leading Techniques

Parallel Motion

Definition: Parallel voices move in the same direction together.

C Maj → D Min → E♭ Maj (parallel thirds down)

Use when:

• Creating movement
• Building energy
• Transitioning between sections

Contrary Motion

Definition: Contrary voices move in opposite directions.

C (bass) → G (tenor up) vs. F (soprano down)

Use when:

• Creating tension
• Contrapuntal lines
• Dense arrangements

Oblique Motion

Definition: One voice moves while others stay stationary.

C Maj: C-E-G (holds)
Bass: F → G → F (moves against stationary)

Use when:

• Single note bassline
• Minimalist arrangements
• Creating interest without clutter

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Building Your Own Progression

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Choose your key

• Consider the mood you want
• Reference track keys
• Vocal range (if applicable)

Step 2: Start with I or vi

Uplifting: I (Major)
Emotional: vi (Minor)
Building tension: vi (Minor)

Step 3: Create movement

Follow the circle: I → IV → V → I
Or follow the circle: I → V → I (three chord trick)

Step 4: Add variation

Use different voicing (inversions)
Add extensions (7ths, 9ths)
Borrowed chords for contrast

Step 5: Test the progression

1. Play it slowly
2. Does it flow?
3. Is there tension and release?
4. Does it resolve properly?

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Progression mapping

Create these progressions in your DAW:

1. I-vi-vi-iv in C Major
2. I-IV-V in C Major
3. I-V-vi-IV-vi in C Major
4. Circle of fifths in C Major
5. vi-IV-V in C Major

Exercise 2: Variation practice

Take one progression and create variations:

Change inversions:

Root position → First inversion → Second inversion
C Maj (C-E-G) → E-G-C → G-C-E

Add extensions:

Major triad → Major 7th → Major 9th
C Maj → C Maj7 → C Maj9

Exercise 3: Voice leading

Focus on smooth connections:

Practice: I - IV - V - I
Check: Do all chords resolve naturally?
Avoid: Chromatic jumps (C → F♯ → G)
Use: Common tones when changing

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Progression in Context

Verse Progressions

Goal: Tell the story, build to chorus

Common patterns:

I - V - I (resolution)
I - IV - V - I (build up)
I - ii - V - I (shorter build up)
I - vi - IV - V - I (emotional build up)

In FL Studio:

• Use piano roll to program
• Keep it simple (1-2 chords per bar)
• Bass follows root movement

Pre-Chorus Progressions

Goal: Build tension and anticipation

Powerful patterns:

I - IV - V7 → I (builds to dominant 7th)
IV - V - I (resolution)
vi - IV - V - I (emotional build up)

Famous examples:

• Avicii "Wake Me Up": I-IV-V7-I
• Calvin Harris "Summer": I-V7-I

Chorus Progressions

Goal: Release the tension

The most important moment in your track

Powerful patterns:

I - IV - V - I (complete statement)
I - V - vi - IV - V - I (with emotional depth)
I - V - vii° - III - IV - I (dramatic)

In practice:

• Make the chords fuller (add extensions)
• Use more instruments
• Add energy with rhythm

Breakdown Progressions

Goal: Strip down, create tension

Minimalist patterns:

I - V (only two chords, repeating)
I - IV - V - I (stripped down)
i - vi - V - I (emotional breakdown)

Effective breakdowns:

• Gradually remove instruments
• Add filter sweeps
• Keep rhythmic elements
• Introduce atmospheric elements

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Advanced Techniques

Chord Reharmonization

Take an existing melody and find new chords:

1. Identify scale degree of each note
2. Find new chords that fit those notes
3. Follow voice leading rules
4. Test different voicings

Example:

Original: C - D - E (I - ii - iii)
Reharmonization: Am - Em - F (vi - ii° - IV)

Modulation (Changing Keys)

Techniques for smooth transitions:

Pivot chord modulation:

C Maj → D Maj (II) (pivot) → C Maj (back home)

Common tone modulation:

C Maj → Dm (iii) → G Maj (V) → C Maj (I)

Relative major/minor modulation:

C Maj → Am (vi) → F Maj (V) → C Maj (I)

Voice Crossing

What is it? When a voice moves into another's range:

In EDM (rare, but possible):

Bass: C (bar 1-4) → D (bar 5-8) → E (bar 9-12)

Use for:

• Counterpoint lines
• Atmospheric pads
• Fills

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Your Action Plan

This Week's Goals

Day 1-2: Progression mastery

• Memorize 5 most common progressions
• Practice voice leading
• Learn extensions and borrowed chords

Day 3-4: Analysis

• Analyze 3 favorite tracks
• Map out their progressions
• Note chord qualities

Day 5-6: Creation

• Create 3 original progressions
• Test different variations
• Record what works best

Day 7: Application

• Use a progression in a new track
• Write a melody following the chords
• Add bassline with proper voice leading

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Download Resources

Free tools for chord work:

• FL Studio Template - Set up for chord work
• Music Production Checklist - Don't miss production steps
• Suno AI Masterclass - Generate ideas

Watch Video Tutorials

See these techniques demonstrated in action on my YouTube channel:

Subscribe @livvux

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Next Steps

In Part 3 (final part), you'll learn:

• Melody and bass writing techniques
• Rhythm and groove
• Putting everything together in a full production

Continue to Part 3: Melody, Bass & Rhythm →

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Questions?

What chord progression topics are you struggling with? Let me know in the comments or reach out on social media!

Ready to master the language of EDM harmony?