You've mastered the basics: I-IV-V, ii-V-I, and maybe even some jazz standards. But now you're ready to dive deeper into the world of advanced harmony. These five chord progressions will open new creative doors and add sophistication to your compositions.
1. The Neapolitan Sixth (♭II⁶)
The Neapolitan sixth is one of the most dramatic harmonic devices in classical and modern music. It's essentially a major chord built on the flattened second degree of the scale, typically used in first inversion.
In C Major: D♭/F - G - C
This progression creates an intense, almost cinematic quality. The D♭ major chord (with F in the bass) resolves to G, then to C, creating a powerful cadential motion.
Try this in your next composition when you want to add drama or tension before a resolution.
2. The Augmented Sixth (♯4⁶)
The augmented sixth chord is another classical device that creates incredible tension. It's built by raising the fourth degree of the scale and adding a major third above it.
In C Major: F♯/A♭ - G - C
The F♯ and A♭ create a dissonant augmented sixth interval that desperately wants to resolve outward to G and E respectively.
This chord is perfect for creating moments of high tension before a release.
3. Secondary Dominants (V/V, V/vi, etc.)
Secondary dominants are dominant chords that temporarily tonicize a chord other than the tonic. They add color and forward motion to your progressions.
In C Major: C - D7 - G7 - C
Here, D7 is the V7 of G (V/V), and G7 is the V7 of C. This creates a chain of dominant motion that drives the harmony forward.
Try: C - A7 - Dm - G7 - C for a classic jazz progression using secondary dominants.
4. Modal Interchange (Borrowed Chords)
Modal interchange involves borrowing chords from parallel modes. This technique adds emotional complexity and harmonic interest.
In C Major: C - F - A♭ - G - C
The A♭ major chord is borrowed from C minor (the parallel minor). This creates a moment of darkness before returning to the brightness of C major.
Other borrowed chords: ♭VII (B♭), ♭VI (A♭), ♭III (E♭), ♭II (D♭).
5. Extended Harmonies (9ths, 11ths, 13ths)
Extended harmonies add richness and complexity to your chord progressions. They're essential in jazz, R&B, and modern pop music.
Cmaj9 - Dm11 - G13 - Cmaj9
Notice how the extensions (9, 11, 13) add color without changing the basic harmonic function. The 9th adds warmth, the 11th adds tension, and the 13th adds sophistication.
Try voicing these chords with the extensions in the upper register for a more open, airy sound.
Putting It All Together
The real magic happens when you combine these techniques. Here's a sophisticated progression that uses multiple advanced concepts:
Advanced Progression Example
Cmaj9 - D♭/F (Neapolitan) - Dm11 - A7 (V/vi) - Dm - G13 - Cmaj9
This progression combines extended harmonies, the Neapolitan sixth, and secondary dominants for a rich, sophisticated sound.
Practice Tips
Start Simple
- • Learn one progression at a time
- • Practice in multiple keys
- • Start with triads, add extensions later
- • Focus on smooth voice leading
Make It Musical
- • Don't rush the harmony
- • Listen to how melodies interact
- • Experiment with different rhythms
- • Record yourself and listen back
Putting It All Into Practice
Theory is just the beginning. The goal is to internalize these progressions so they become part of your natural musical vocabulary. Here's how to make that happen:
- 1. Choose one progression per week - Master it completely before moving on
- 2. Transpose to different keys - This builds real understanding
- 3. Write melodies over them - See how they support different melodic ideas
- 4. Analyze your favorite songs - You'll start hearing these progressions everywhere
- 5. Experiment with variations - Change one chord, add extensions, try different inversions
🎯 Challenge Yourself
Use ComposerDeck to generate random constraints, then try to incorporate one of these advanced progressions. The combination of random elements plus sophisticated harmony often leads to surprising and beautiful results.
Beyond the Basics: Your Harmonic Journey
These five progressions are just the beginning of advanced harmony. Each one opens doors to related concepts: secondary dominants, augmented sixth chords, chromatic mediants, and more. The key is to learn them not as isolated formulas, but as expressions of musical ideas.
Remember, sophistication doesn't mean complexity for its own sake. The best composers use advanced harmony to serve the music, not to show off their theoretical knowledge. A well-placed Neapolitan sixth can transform a simple melody into something magical, while overuse of complex chords can muddy the musical waters.
Ready to Expand Your Harmonic Vocabulary?
ComposerDeck's challenge system can help you practice these progressions in creative contexts. Try generating challenges and see how these advanced harmonies fit into different musical scenarios.
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