Many songs will use the same chord progression throughout, and with such songs, the implied key isn’t going to change. So if the progression you’re using is C-G-Am-F, the key is C major, throughout the entirety of the song.
Trying to get the chords-first songwriting process working? Your main concern with chords-first songwriting will usually be the creation of good, memorable melodies. Read “Writing a Song From a Chord Progression“, and discover the secrets to making this process work well for you.
But lots of songs will use different chords for the verse, the chorus, and for any other miscellaneous sections (the bridge, a solo instrumental section, pre-chorus, etc.). With the different chords comes the possibility that the song might visit different keys.
The songs and the progressions a songwriter might use for those different sections constitute the most common question I get regarding chord progressions, and those questions go something like, “If I’m using this progression [inserted example here] for my verse, what might I use for my chorus?” “…my bridge?”
I occasionally write about this on my blog, and it also makes up a good chunk of the chapter on chord progressions from my “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” ebook.
Back in 2017 I wrote a blog article called “Key Suggestions for Song Sections.” In that post I talk about the typical harmonic relationship that occurs in so many songs within the various pop genres.
Rather than reinventing the wheel on this topic, I’m going to suggest that if this is your current dilemma as you work out your next song, that you give that article a read. (Click the link above.)
And if you’ve got questions after reading it, please do post a question below. I’d be happy to answer your questions, and hopefully tell you why I’m giving you that particular answer.
I’ve also written a more recent article, in 2019, that I hope you might find useful: Sample Chord Progressions For the Various Sections of Your Song.
Written by Gary Ewer. Follow Gary on Twitter
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