1. Theoretical Foundation & Acoustic Motion
Voice leading and tension-resolution mechanics
Launches directly from the shadowy minor tonic (vi - IV - I - V). Even as it climbs toward major chords seeking hope and relief, the cycle continuously returns to the weight of tender melancholy.
Listen to Deep Sadness & Vulnerability twice through
- Am
- F
- C
- G
- Am
- F
- C
- G
2. The progression, step by step
| Position | Chord | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Am | vi |
| 2 | F | IV |
| 3 | C | I |
| 4 | G | V |
3. Chord tones and interval structure
| Chord | Chord tones | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Am | A – C – E | 1 - ♭3 - 5 |
| F | F – A – C | 1 - 3 - 5 |
| C | C – E – G | 1 - 3 - 5 |
| G | G – B – D | 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 Deep Sadness & Vulnerability 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 76 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 Am, F, C and G, the progression CifraLab proposes for a “Deep Sadness & Vulnerability” feel. What follows can be checked by playing.
From Am to F, A and C stay, and two hand positions stay put. F and C keep C in common. Also, two hand positions stay put. From C to G, G stays, but no fretted position repeats. From G to Am, every note changes.
“Deep Sadness & Vulnerability” runs at 76 beats per minute, so each beat lasts 789 milliseconds. If each chord takes one bar of four beats, the full cycle lasts 12.6 seconds.
Read in C major, its degrees are vi, IV, I and V. It can also be read from A minor. In Am you hear A, C and E. F holds F, A and C. In C you hear C, E and G. G holds G, B and D.