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Chords & Progressions

Ninth graders learn how chords move in progressions — the classic I–IV–V–I that powers countless songs — building tension on the V and resolving home to the I.

Grade 9Theory50 minutes1 class periodArtistic ProcessExplicit teaching4 StandardsNCAS
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Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Explain a chord.
  • ✓Build a progression.
  • ✓Order the chords.
  • ✓Hear tension & resolution.
Essential Question

Thousands of songs use the same chord progression — I, IV, V! How do chords move to create tension and resolution?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Put in Order · Interactive

Order the Chord Progression

Project this and have students put the I–IV–V–I chord progression in order.

🎹 Put the chord progression in order!Try it
Tap the first chord!
The Lesson · Artistic Process (Listen · Explore · Create · Perform · Reflect)

50 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Listen — The Same Four Chords

5 min

Thousands of songs use I–IV–V — how do chords move?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Play a I–IV–V–I.
  • Ask what you heard.
  • Warm up.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Listen.
  • Wonder.
  • Get ready.
2

Explore — Chords & Progressions

12 min

Students explore.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to Order the Chord Progression.
  • Order them.
  • Note tension on V.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Order.
  • Note it.
  • Name.
3

Create — Create

14 min

Students create.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Play the I chord.
  • Play IV and V.
  • Resolve to I.

🎒 Student Actions

  • I chord.
  • IV, V.
  • Home.
4

Perform — Perform

12 min

Students perform.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Play the whole progression.
  • Feel the resolution.
  • Give critique.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Play it.
  • Resolve.
  • Critique.
5

Reflect — Reflect

5 min

Students respond.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Name the first chord.
  • Explain tension and resolution.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Name it.
  • Explain it.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the National Core Arts Standards (Music, HS Proficient).

NCAS
MU:Cr1.1.HSI

Explore chord progressions.

NCAS
MU:Cr2.1.HSI

Develop harmonic ideas.

NCAS
MU:Pr4.2.HSI

Perform chords.

NCAS
MU:Pr5.1.HSI

Play a progression.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Chord cards (I, IV, V).
  • Sentence frame: “First ___, then ___.”
  • Play at a keyboard.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with I and V.
  • Order two at a time.
  • Play one chord.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Add a vi chord.
  • Write your own progression.
  • Explain cadences.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 🎹A keyboard/guitar
  • 💻Order the Chord Progression
  • 🎼Chord charts
  • ✏️Staff paper
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

chordseveral notes played togetherprogressiona series of chordsI chordthe home (tonic) chordIV chordthe subdominant chordV chordthe dominant chordtensiona feeling of wanting to resolveresolutionreturning to restharmonyhow chords work together
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
What is a good FIRST chord in a I–IV–V–I progression?
The I chord (the home chord).
QUESTION 2
Which chord builds tension before resolving?
The V chord.
QUESTION 3
What is a chord progression?
A series of chords played in order.

Reflect: hear the resolution.

Have students play or hum a I–IV–V–I progression and notice the tension and resolution. A printable chords sheet is in the Arts library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 Chords & ProgressionsFlip
Card 1
Term
Tap to flip →
Meaning
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Nice work!

Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Chords & ProgressionsQuiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
0%

Nice work!

Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Chords & ProgressionsPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: chord, harmony, I chord, IV chord, progression, resolution, tension, V chord
  1. a feeling of wanting to resolve
  2. a series of chords
  3. how chords work together
  4. the home (tonic) chord
  5. returning to rest
  6. several notes played together
  7. the subdominant chord
  8. the dominant chord

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What is a good FIRST chord in a I–IV–V–I progression?
  2. Which chord builds tension before resolving?
  3. What is a chord progression?
Answer key — Part A: 1) tension · 2) progression · 3) harmony · 4) I chord · 5) resolution · 6) chord · 7) IV chord · 8) V chord
Part B: 1) The I chord (the home chord). 2) The V chord. 3) A series of chords played in order.