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Chords progressions

Emotional Chord Progressions for EDM

Mostly from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yw85rAb6cw

Quick reference:

Name Scale Progression Chords
Uplifting, joyful, euphoric D# minor 5,6,7,1 Bbmin - Bmaj - C#maj - D#min
Deep and serious B minor 6,7,1,7 Gmaj - Amaj - Bmin - Amaj
Tense and suspenseful G major Just one chord Gmaj
Sad like really sad G minor 1,7,4,6 Gmin - Fmaj - Cmin - Ebmaj
Feel good, euphoric B minor 6,3,7,1 Gmaj - Dmaj - Amaj - Bmin
Feel good but kinda sad G# minor 6,1,7,5 Emaj - G#min - F#maj - D#min
Pump up G minor 1 (for 2 bars), 6, 4 Gmin (2 bars) - Ebmaj - Cmin
Pump up but kinda happy G minor 1 (for 2 bars), 3, 6 Gmin (2 bars) - Bbmaj - Ebmaj
Chill and relaxed C# minor 6,1,7,1 Amaj - C#min - Bmaj - C#min
Happy Every major 4,5,1 (for 2 bars) IV - V - I (e.g. Fmaj - Gmaj - Cmaj)

  1. Uplifting, joyful and euphoric

    • Scale: D# minor
    • Notes: D# - E# - F# - G# - A# - B - C# - D#
    • Progression: 5,6,7,1
    • Chords: Bbmin - Bmaj - C#maj - D#min
    • Roman numerals: v - bVI - bVII - i
    • Tips:
      • Add pedal notes
      • Put 3rds one octave higher

  2. Deep and serious

    • Scale: B minor
    • Notes: B - C# - D - E - F# - G - A - B
    • Progression: 6,7,1,7
    • Chords: Gmaj - Amaj - Bmin - Amaj
    • Roman numerals: bVI - bVII - i - bVII

  3. Tense and suspenseful

    • Scale: G major
    • Notes: G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G
    • Progression: Just one chord
    • Chord: Gmaj (held as drone/pedal)
    • Note: Consider adding tensions (sus2, sus4, add9)

  4. Sad like really sad

    • Scale: G minor
    • Notes: G - A - Bb - C - D - Eb - F - G
    • Progression: 1,7,4,6
    • Chords: Gmin - Fmaj - Cmin - Ebmaj
    • Roman numerals: i - bVII - iv - bVI
    • Tips: Add pedal tone tonic

  5. Feel good, euphoric

    • Scale: B minor
    • Notes: B - C# - D - E - F# - G - A - B
    • Progression: 6,3,7,1
    • Chords: Gmaj - Dmaj - Amaj - Bmin
    • Roman numerals: bVI - III - bVII - i
    • Tips: Add pedal tone on the 3rds

  6. Feel good but kinda sad

    • Scale: G# minor
    • Notes: G# - A# - B - C# - D# - E - F# - G#
    • Progression: 6,1,7,5
    • Chords: Emaj - G#min - F#maj - D#min
    • Roman numerals: bVI - i - bVII - v
    • Tips:
      • Pedal tone on 3rd tone
      • Pedal note 7 steps above 3rd

  7. Pump up

    • Scale: G minor
    • Notes: G - A - Bb - C - D - Eb - F - G
    • Progression: 1 (for 2 bars), 6, 4
    • Chords: Gmin (2 bars) - Ebmaj - Cmin
    • Roman numerals: i - bVI - iv
    • Tips: Double 3rd note using another instrument (after putting it one octave higher)

  8. Pump up but kinda happy

    • Scale: G minor
    • Notes: G - A - Bb - C - D - Eb - F - G
    • Progression: 1 (for 2 bars), 3, 6
    • Chords: Gmin (2 bars) - Bbmaj - Ebmaj
    • Roman numerals: i - bIII - bVI

  9. Chill and relaxed

    • Scale: C# minor
    • Notes: C# - D# - E - F# - G# - A - B - C#
    • Progression: 6,1,7,1
    • Chords: Amaj - C#min - Bmaj - C#min
    • Roman numerals: bVI - i - bVII - i
    • Tips: Add note on the tonic of the scale

  10. Happy

    • Scale: Every major scale
    • Notes: Works in any major scale (example: C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C)
    • Progression: 4,5,1 (for 2 bars)
    • Chords: IV - V - I (example: Fmaj - Gmaj - Cmaj)
    • Roman numerals: IV - V - I
    • Tips:
      • Add pedal tone on the tonic
      • Get rid of the 5ths and the 3rds
      • Get base tones and put them up an octave
      • Double the pedal tone

Production Notes

Resources

Youtube