How To Predict Which Chord Comes Next

 Part 2

 

     Last issue we set the framework for understanding which are the most likely chords to occur next in any given situation. (In case you missed the last issue, it is re-printed below so you will have access to it.)

      This issue we will focus on each "Family of Chords" for each key.

      If you don't know these, you should commit them to memory, so you won't have to hesitate when the time comes.

     Here are the "family members" for each key -- the I, IV, and V chords. We'll take up the "cousins", "neighbors", and "strangers" in later issues.

Key of C: C F G

Key of F: F Bb C

Key of G: G C D

Key of D: D G A

Key of E: E A B

Key of A: A D E

Key of B: B E F#

Key of Db: Db Gb Ab

Key of Eb: Eb Ab Bb

Key of Ab: Ab Db Eb

Key of Gb: Gb Cb Db

Key of Bb: Bb Eb F

     Memorize these. Take them to bad with you. Dream about them. Practice playing them and moving between them until the cows come home.

     Why?

     Because these are "home base". The fam. Point zero. If you don't know these, you can't possibly progress to advanced chord prediction, because these primary chords are the foundation on which everything else is built.

     See you next issue where we'll meet the "cousins".