JAMB Music · Section B
Study notes for (a) Basic chord progressions in four parts — part of the JAMB UTME Music syllabus. 2 learning objectives with explanations and exam tips.
A chord progression is simply a sequence of chords played one after another. When we arrange these chords in four parts, we're writing music for four different voice types: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. Each voice sings or plays a different note of the chord at the same time.
The most common progressions you'll encounter are I-IV-V-I and I-VI-IV-V. Think of popular Nigerian highlife songs like those by Ebenezer Obey—they often use these basic progressions to create that familiar, pleasing sound. When writing in four parts, you follow voice-leading rules: keep voices close together, avoid large jumps, and ensure smooth movement between chords.
The purpose is to create harmony that sounds complete and natural. Each voice should move logically to the next chord, making the progression flow easily from beginning to end.
The dominant 7th chord is built on the fifth note of any scale and includes a flattened seventh interval. Think of it as the V chord with an extra note added that creates tension. In the key of C major, the dominant 7th chord is G7, made from G-B-D-F. This chord has a pulling quality that naturally wants to resolve back to the tonic chord, which is why composers love using it. You'll hear this progression constantly in highlife music, where the dominant 7th creates that characteristic tension before resolving home. The G7 pulling toward C is like a question waiting for an answer. Understanding this progression helps you recognize song structures and predict where melodies are heading. The dominant 7th is absolutely essential in four-part harmony because it provides harmonic movement and keeps music sounding interesting and purposeful.