4.4 · Chords of the Key

Every chord has a job

A numeral says where a chord sits in the key. Its job is what your ear expects next: some chords rest, some pull, and one, the V, points straight at home.

Every chord has a job

Each row plays the same setup, I · IV · V, then lands on its chord. The higher a landing sits on the hill, the harder it pulls back toward I.

Progressions are named by these jobs, not by pitches.

Why V pulls: the leading tone

Why does V pull so hard? It holds ti, the note one half step under do, the leading tone from 2.3. Hear the lean by itself, then inside the chords.

B · ti, leaning C · do, home

Game · Home or hanging?

1 / 5

A short phrase. Did it land home on I, or stop hanging on V?

Listen first. Then answer.

Quiz

1 / 4

The V chord's job is…

Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson. A perfect run sticks: a later miss never undoes it.Home and away