Understanding Chord Modes
Learn how chord progressions work, how to use our chord grid, and how the Circle of Fifths helps you create musical harmony
Contents
Introduction to Chords
When creating music, the way chords are linked together forms the foundation of a song. In Motiononics, we've designed our chord mode systems to help you create chord progressions using hand gestures, even if you're new to music theory.
What are our Chord Modes?
In our application, "Chord Modes" refer to different ways you can play and interact with chord progressions:
- Auto Chord Mode: Play complete chords with a single gesture
- Arpeggiator Mode: Play the notes of a chord sequentially as a pattern
- Play-for-me Mode: Plays full chord progressions with one simple interaction
These different modes allow you to explore harmonies and expressiveness regardless of your musical background. The chord grid system organises chords that sound good together, based on music theory principles.
The Circle of Fifths
The Circle of Fifths is a music theory tool that shows the relationships between the 12 different major and minor key signatures in Western music. It's arranged in a circle where each key is a perfect fifth (or 7 steps/semitones) apart from its nearest 2 neighbors.
Why is it useful?
- Finding related keys: Keys next to each other on the circle share many notes and chords
- Chord progressions: Movement around the circle often creates nice chord changes that you will have heard lots of times before
- Modulation: The circle shows good keys to transition to during a piece
- Understanding key signatures: The circle visually organises the number of sharps and flats in each key
In motiononics, the Circle of Fifths helps you select keys and understand the relationship between different chords in your current key. Try it out by selecting a key to the right!
Understanding Roman Numerals
Roman numerals are used in music theory to indicate the position of a chord within a key, regardless of what specific key you're in. This makes it easy to learn chord progressions between different keys.
Upper-case numerals (I, IV, V) represent major chords (happier sounding), while lower-case numerals (ii, iii, vi) represent minor chords (less bright and happy). The diminished chord is indicated with a small circle (vii°).
| Roman Numeral | Chord Type | Example in C Major |
|---|---|---|
| I | Major chord built on the 1st scale degree | C in C Major |
| ii | Minor chord built on the 2nd scale degree | Dm in C Major |
| iii | Minor chord built on the 3rd scale degree | Em in C Major |
| IV | Major chord built on the 4th scale degree | F in C Major |
| V | Major chord built on the 5th scale degree | G in C Major |
| vi | Minor chord built on the 6th scale degree | Am in C Major |
| vii° | Diminished chord built on the 7th scale degree | Bdim in C Major |
In our chord grid visualiser, these Roman numerals help you identify how each chord will sound within your selected key, making it easier to understand and create nice sounding progressions.
The Chord Grid
Motiononics uses a 3x3 chord grid interface to organise chords by their function and relationship within a key. This allows you to create nice sounding progressions with your hand gestures.
How the Grid Works
The grid organizes the most commonly used chords in any key:
- Center: The tonic (I) chord, your "home base"
- Top Row: Predominant chords (ii, IV, vi) that lead toward dominant chords
- Bottom Row: Dominant chords (V, vii°) that create tension and resolution
- Sides: Additional chords including borrowed chords and variations
By moving your hand through this grid, you can create chord progressions that follow established patterns of tension and resolution in music theory.
Example chord grid layout
Tip: Try moving your hand in a clockwise pattern around the grid to create a progression with natural tension and resolution (e.g., I → IV → V → I).
Interactive Chord Grid
Try the interactive chord grid below using hand gestures! Enable your camera and use a closed fist gesture at different positions to play chords in the key of C Major.
Current Key: C Major
Enable Camera to Play Chords
Use a closed fist gesture at different positions on the grid to play chords. Your camera feed is processed locally and never uploaded.
Chord:
How to Use
- Click "Enable Camera" to start your webcam
- Position your hand in front of the camera
- Make a closed fist gesture
- Move your hand to different positions on the grid:
Cmaj
I
Dmin
ii
Emin
iii
Fmaj
IV
Gmaj
V
Amin
vi
Bdim
vii°
Emaj
I
Dmaj
V
Try to play the I-IV-V progression by moving between center, top-right, and middle-right positions.
Common Chord Progressions
Understanding common chord progressions helps you create music that sounds familiar and satisfying. Here are some popular progressions in C Major that you can try with our chord grid interface.
I-IV-V
C - F - G
The most common progression in pop and rock
I-V-vi-IV
C - G - Am - F
Used in countless pop hits
ii-V-I
Dm - G - C
The quintessential jazz progression
Try This!
Select the chord mode in Motiononics, choose C Major as your key, and try moving your hand to different positions to create these progressions. Notice how they create different emotional qualities and how they resolve back to the tonic (I or i) chord.
Practice Exercises
The best way to understand chord progressions is to practice with them. Here are some exercises you can try using our chord mode interfaces:
1. Basic Chord Progression
Practice the I-IV-V-I progression in any key. This forms the basis for countless songs.
- Select Auto Chord Mode and choose a key
- Position your hand in the top left of the grid (I chord)
- Move to the middle-left (IV chord)
- Move to the center (V chord)
- Return to the top left (I chord)
2. Arpeggiator Exploration
Use the arpeggiator mode to explore how chord notes create different patterns.
- Switch to Arpeggiator Mode
- Make an closed fist gesture at different grid positions
- Try changing the arpeggio direction (up, down, up-down) and octave span
- Notice how arpeggios outline the chord qualities
3. Play-for-me Mode
Try out some of our pre made progressions on the Play-for-me Page!
- Head to the Play-for-me page in the header at the top
- Pick your favourite genre for the chord progression
- Test out different 'root' chords with different rhythms and progressions
- Record your favourite progressions you find to listen to or use elsewhere!