Thread: Chord Progressions for EDM?

Originally Posted by HUCK FINN

I've been playing around with some Chord Progressions as of late and was wondering what chord progressions do you find that work best for EDM?
Or does this just depend on the style your going after (duh).

The ones that work best on the piano and guitar and every other musical instrument DUH!

every chord should be diminished.

and played on an organ patch.



and a scary story should be told over it.

Originally Posted by G Insignificant

The ones that work best on the piano and guitar and every other musical instrument DUH!

Dood, shut it.

Originally Posted by MicahB

every chord should be diminished.

and played on an organ patch.



and a scary story should be told over it.

You too

Originally Posted by HUCK FINN

You too

lol

I think I, IV, V (roman numerals for chords) is considered the most pleasing progression - used a lot in pop tunes.

Also popular for EDM is D-Dorian or Key of D(major or minor)

If all else fails, sample a bunch of great music and rearrange it and make it unrecognisable - that always works a charm

Originally Posted by MicahB

every chord should be diminished.

and played on an organ patch.



and a scary story should be told over it.

hehehehehe. You know, as soon as I read this thread that's actually the first thing that came to mind.

When it comes to deep house, I'd say that 75% of the songs I hear are written in minor chords and played with a Rhodes-like organ.

When it comes to upbeat uplifting house, I'd say that 75% of the songs I hear are in major chords and played on a piano.

pretty funny, but it seems to be the standard for those two.

I think alot of the House producers must think that when major chords are used, it starts to sound to poppy or gay. Who knows.

I like rhoads...and organs but its drumandbasse so how does that compute?

Originally Posted by BigBallinColin

I like rhoads...and organs but its drumandbasse so how does that compute?

No chord progressions in drum and bass, just potz and panz

Originally Posted by Stefan Anion

I think I, IV, V (roman numerals for chords) is considered the most pleasing progression - used a lot in pop tunes.

Also popular for EDM is D-Dorian or Key of D(major or minor)

If all else fails, sample a bunch of great music and rearrange it and make it unrecognisable - that always works a charm

Right on I'll try those out.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Roos

hehehehehe. You know, as soon as I read this thread that's actually the first thing that came to mind.

When it comes to deep house, I'd say that 75% of the songs I hear are written in minor chords and played with a Rhodes-like organ.

When it comes to upbeat uplifting house, I'd say that 75% of the songs I hear are in major chords and played on a piano.

pretty funny, but it seems to be the standard for those two.

I think alot of the House producers must think that when major chords are used, it starts to sound to poppy or gay. Who knows.

Thanks you sir.

Thanks BTW I will try.

Originally Posted by Suck_Farty

Hybrid: If I Survive= i, III, VII, IV (x2) bVI, VII, i

Great EDM progression, because scale degree six is raised to make the major IV chord and then lowered to make the bVI chord, shifting the mode back and forth between Dorian and natural minor. Also notice that every one of those chords is major except for the i chord, but the i chord is so important that resolving to it instead of major I keeps the progression serious, yet driving and somewhat uplifting.

i don't like that track (hate the beat both on the original and the WOW mix), although i'd say that was a pretty good analysis.

in my opinion, a lot of edm doesn't even have full harmony, or true progressions, many just has one HUGE hook in the bass (a TON of dNB, breaks, techhouse, techno) that occupies a few notes in a scale, and a bunch of the other sounds constantly reinforce the tonic chord. (i or I)

i do agree with stefan that the I, IV V occurs often in pop music, but i would say is rarely actually seen in it's that form anymore. EDM is very fond of substituting and in natural minor...you will most often see that progression (or regressions) in the substitutions below. Often they'll include some extended harmonies on these chords, but it's very rarely chromatic...almost always diatonic.

there are exceptions like jazzy housey shit (possibly I, ii V...i don't really listen to that) and dark dNB uses a lot of chromaticism for dissonance. DNB though (contrary to popular belief) does often stick to a key/mode and heavily reinforces a tonic. (EX: messiah = i, VII in the bass with a V pedal)

anyways, assuming I,IV, V is still a standard for organizing most functional harmony progressions, here are some common natural minor variations:

I = i, VI, III (#III, #iii)
IV = iv, ii, II, bII
V = v, VII, III