Three-chord song
A three-chord song is a song whose music is built around three chords that are played in a certain sequence. A common type of three-chord song is the simple twelve-bar blues used in blues and rock and roll.
Typically, the three chords used are the chords on the
The I (
The order of the chord progression may be varied; popular chord progression variations using the I, IV and V chords of a scale are:
- V – I – IV
- I – V – IV – V
- V – IV – I
Beside the I, IV and V chord progression, other widely used 3-chord progressions are:[1]
- I – vi – V
- I – ii – V
Quotes
Songwriter Harlan Howard once said "country music is three chords and the truth."[2]
Lou Reed said "One chord is fine. Two chords is pushing it. Three chords and you're into jazz."[3] Reed nevertheless wrote many songs with unique or complex chord progressions himself, such as the material on Berlin.
See also
- Cadence (music)
- I–V–vi–IV progression
- Twelve-bar blues
- Bergamask
References
- ^ "Chord progressions – TheGuitarLesson.com".
- ^ "Harlan Howard Quotes". BrainyQuote. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- ^ "Rhino Records: The Rhino Musical Aptitude Test, 2001". 24 November 2023.