What is a 'chord progression'?

A chord progression refers to a sequence of chords played in succession. This term encapsulates the fundamental framework upon which much of Western music is built. Chord progressions establish the harmonic structure of a piece, guiding the listener's emotional experience through the changes in chords over time.

For instance, common progressions like the I-IV-V-I or ii-V-I create a sense of movement and resolution that is essential in genres ranging from classical to popular music. By understanding chord progressions, musicians can create and analyze the flow of music, identifying how different chords relate to each other within a key and how they contribute to the overall mood of a composition.

Other options, while related to music, do not accurately define a chord progression. A combination of notes played simultaneously refers to a chord but does not convey the concept of progression over time. A style of singing pertains to vocal techniques or techniques regarding performance, and a tempo marking indicates the speed at which a piece is to be played, neither of which are relevant to the idea of chords being played in a sequence.