Chords, keys and why songs feel the way they do
Most songs you know use three or four chords. The feeling comes from which ones, and in what order.
Part of your national curriculum
- Musical notation and theory: Understand chords, keys and scales, and how harmony is used within different styles of music
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand chords, keys and scales, and how harmony is used within different styles of music
Key learning points
- • Building a chord
- • Keys and the home chord
- • Common progressions
This lesson at a glance
- 25 minutes
- 16 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 16
Visual introductionPicture this
Chords, keys and why songs feel the way they do
Most songs you know use three or four chords. The feeling comes from which ones, and in what order.
In a nutshell
Understand chords, keys and scales, and how harmony is used within different styles of music
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 16
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Building a chord
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 16
Learn
Building a chord
A triad stacks the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of a scale. A major third sounds bright, a minor third sounds darker — one semitone is the whole difference.
Reset break
Part 4 of 16
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 16
Learn
Keys and the home chord
A key is the family of notes a piece uses. The chord built on the first note feels like home, which is why most songs end there.
Quick check
Part 6 of 16
Quick check
Part 7 of 16
Reset break
Part 8 of 16
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 16
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Common progressions
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 16
Learn
Common progressions
I–V–vi–IV appears in hundreds of pop songs because it leaves home, adds a minor shade, then leans back towards resolution.
Quick check
Part 11 of 16
Reset break
Part 12 of 16
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 16
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 16
Game · Recall cards
Which notes of a scale make a basic triad?
Card 1 of 3
Mastery quiz
Part 15 of 16
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Chords, keys and why songs feel the way they do
3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Which notes of a scale make a basic triad?
2. What is the difference between a major and a minor triad?
3. Why do songs usually end on the chord of the key?
Lesson round-up
Part 16 of 16
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
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Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 16 · Watch & discover
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Understand chords, keys and scales, and how harmony is used within different styles of music