1. Theoretical Foundation & Acoustic Motion
Voice leading and tension-resolution mechanics
An electronic pop and stadium progression (vi - IV - I - V in G Major: Em - C - G - D). It crafts big chorus drops, blending deep emotional drive with a triumphant climb.
Listen to Power & Radiant Drive twice through
- Em
- C
- G
- D
- Em
- C
- G
- D
2. The progression, step by step
| Position | Chord | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Em | vi |
| 2 | C | IV |
| 3 | G | I |
| 4 | D | V |
3. Chord tones and interval structure
| Chord | Chord tones | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Em | E – G – B | 1 - ♭3 - 5 |
| C | C – E – G | 1 - 3 - 5 |
| G | G – B – D | 1 - 3 - 5 |
| D | D – F# – A | 1 - 3 - 5 |
Check it with your ear
Two short questions to solidify what you've just read. There's no grade or record, so if you get it wrong, you can listen again and try again.
Which chord does Power & Radiant Drive start on and settle into?
Listen to both orders. Which one is the progression on this page?
Try it on your guitar
Play , , and with four beats per chord, slowly at first and then close to 120 BPM. Once you can play it without stopping, sing one long note over every chord and hear how its color changes even though you do not move it.
Acoustic Chords:
What you can check on the guitar
This reading uses Em, C, G and D, the progression CifraLab proposes for a “Power & Radiant Drive” feel. What follows can be checked by playing.
Em and C keep E and G in common. Also, one hand position stays put. From C to G, G stays, but no fretted position repeats. G and D share D, though the hand changes shape. D and Em have no notes in common.
“Power & Radiant Drive” runs at 120 beats per minute, so each beat lasts 500 milliseconds. If each chord takes one bar of four beats, the full cycle lasts 8.0 seconds.
Read in G major, its degrees are vi, IV, I and V. It can also be read from E minor. Em holds E, G and B. In C you hear C, E and G. G holds G, B and D. In D you hear D, F# and A.