Popular Chord Progression in G (Circle of Fifths) + Sheet Music

In this video, I present one of the most popular chord progressions featured across many piano tutorials on social media. However, as we’ll see shortly, this progression has some unique characteristics, especially in the second section. When centered on a major tonal center, this progression often starts on the fourth degree and features, as the second chord, a distinctive pedal-point bass effect - meaning the bass note stays on the root of the previous chord while the harmony above changes, creating tension and interest. Video index: 00:00 Preview 00:18 Brief explanation 01:27 Progression with two variants (110 BPM) 02:11 Progression with two variants at a slower tempo (65 BPM) Why is this chord sequence so popular on social media? Primarily because it’s based on the well-known circle of fifths progression, which sounds smooth and pleasing. More importantly, it evokes a sense of familiarity in listeners, as it underpins many famous pieces across classical, jazz, and pop music. Here are three notable examples from each genre: Classical: Passacaglia in G minor by G. F. Handel from the "Suite de pieces pour le clavecin", Vol. 1 No. 7 (HWV 432) Jazz: "Autumn Leaves" (music by Joseph Kosma) Pop: "I Will Survive" (Gloria Gaynor; music by Freddie Perren & Dino Fekaris) We call it a “circle of fifths” progression because the roots of the chords move down by fifths, though the circle is “shortened” to stay within the diatonic framework. Depending on whether the progression is in a major or minor key, or whether it includes sevenths, the overall feel varies slightly, but the fundamental structure remains the same. In this video, we explore the major key variant (G major). The melody shown here is a personal arrangement and may differ from typical melodies associated with this progression. Highlights of the two sections: Section N. 1 (Measures 1 to 8). The “standard” progression with two twists: The chord in second place is a fully diminished chord (F♯°7 over C), unlike the more commonly seen minor sixth chord (which I use myself in the second section of the progression). This diminished chord fits the circle of fifths movement because its root (F♯) is a diminished fifth below the previous chord’s root (C) and a fifth above the following chord’s root (Bm7). For visualization, the enharmonic chord symbol C°7 is also indicated, but the score accidentals reflect the F♯°7/C chord. The bass remains on C (the same as the preceding Cmaj7), which can be seen as a “melodic” choice (even if the bass as melodic is debatable) to add tension and variety. The last chord here is a secondary dominant G7, preparing the return to the fourth degree, whereas often a diminished chord would serve this function. Section N. 2 (Measures 9 to 16): The chord in second place is the more commonly found minor sixth chord (Cm6). This can be viewed as a minor coloration of the chord on the fourth degree (modal interchange), or as a substitute for the F#°7/C chord from the first section. Cm6 and C°7 differ mainly by the diminished fifth in the latter, while the diminished seventh is enharmonic to the sixth. The chord in fourth place is an E major (E7), non-diatonic in G major, replacing the diatonic E minor of the first section. The root E respects the descending fifths root movement, but the E7 chord functions as a temporary dominant resolving to Am7. The chord in sixth place is a D9sus4 instead of the usual D7. Rather than resolving immediately to the tonic G, it is followed by an Ab7, a “subV” chord (a substitute dominant sharing the tritone interval). The progression then resolves regularly to the tonic, with the ninth added as a color tone. Note: The slowed-down version at 65 BPM is the original recording played back at a reduced speed to facilitate learning—not a re-recording. Conventions: Regarding harmonic analysis, the chord symbols consider only the “core” of the chord - that is, the triad and the possible seventh. Stay Connected: Check out my music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/63q1W... Follow me also on TikTok for more music and tutorials:   / haltber   If you enjoy my content and want to support my work, please consider making a donation: https://ko-fi.com/haltber https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/haltber #chordprogression #pianomusic #sheetmusic #pianoplayer #pianotutorial #jazzchords #musictheory #haltber #jazzy