From “Three Chords” to Color: Make Simple Progressions Sing

What You’ll Learn

• Progress starts with belief + clarity: yes, you can change quickly when you focus on the process.
• Hear the function, not just the letter: C = I (home/tonic), F = IV, Dm = ii. Feel each chord’s gravity.
• Add color with tenths (1 & 3), first inversions (e.g., C/E), and 9ths/maj7s to make simple shapes lush.
• Practice in time: isolate the exact hard motion (e.g., Dm → C/E), loop slowly, and lock to a click.
• Use micro-tactics: count in, lift early to land on 1, slow the tempo, then nudge it up.
• Connect to familiar ground: double-stops and lines can come right out of A minor pentatonic over this key center.

Action Steps (Do This Today)

1. Name the Function Aloud (2 min)
   • Play C–F–Dm and say: “I … IV … ii.”
   • Strum each and feel the role (home → lift → lean).
2. Build the Lush Version (8–10 min)
   • Swap open chords for colors:
   • C first inversion (C/E) → optionally add maj7 (B) and 9 (D) → Cmaj7(9)/E.
   • Fmaj7(9) voicing (add the 9 on top for shimmer).
   • Dm7(9) shell (lean, clear, modern).
   • If shapes are new, start with tenths: play (1 & 3) for each chord (C–E, F–A, D–F).
3. Isolate the Beast (5–8 min)
   • Find the one tough handoff (e.g., Dm7 → C/E).
   • Loop just that motion on a click: 60–70 bpm, count “1-2-3-4”, aim to land on beat 1.
   • Use Rotem’s trick: lift slightly early on beat 4 to set the next grip cleanly on 1.
4. Lock It to Time (5 min)
   • Run the full progression in time. If it’s messy, downshift the tempo by 10–15 bpm.
   • Two clean loops > one rushed mess.
5. Add a Top-Line (5 min)
   • Over the chords, add simple double-stops or a pentatonic melody (A minor flavor sits great here).
   • Aim for 2–4 bar phrases that resolve to C (I).
6. Micro-Upgrade Tomorrow (2 min to plan)
   • Choose one enhancement for the next session (e.g., push tempo +2 bpm, add a 9th, smooth Dm → C/E).
   • Write it in your notebook so progress compounds.