Chord Sequences

The succession of chords needed for a piece is known as a chord sequence. Some sequences will work for a number of songs, for instance the much-used progression C C | Am Am | Dm Dm | G7 G7. This was affectionately known to studio musicians as “we want Cantor,” a reference to the introductory music to an old radio program called The Eddie Cantor Show. You might try it with “Blue Moon,” “Heart and Soul,” or “La Mer.” You will be surprised how much of these and other songs this popular sequence will fit.

Chord sequences are often written in simple “lead sheet” form, like this:

The diagonal lines (known as hash marks) mark the beats. Sometimes more elaborate hash marks show a specific rhythm.