Epic chord progressions

Epic progressions are about big moves: major chords climbing into minor, the dramatic V of harmonic minor, and the floating Lydian lift of film scores. Three are in A minor and one is in C Lydian.

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The epic cadence

A minor
FVIGVIIAmi

VI, VII, i. F, G, Am. Two major chords climbing into the minor home chord, heard in trailers, trance and metal.

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Heroic minor

A minor
AmiGVIIFVIGVII

i, VII, VI, VII. Am, G, F, G. Rises and falls around the home chord, a staple of film music.

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Harmonic minor drama

A harmonic minor
AmiFVIDmivEV

i, VI, iv, V. Am, F, Dm, E. The major V chord at the end pulls hard back to the start.

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The Lydian lift

C lydian
CIDII

I to II. C to D. A major chord a whole step up, used in film scores for flying and fantasy scenes.

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Making them sound like epic

  • Give each chord two bars or more, and build intensity with layers rather than more chords.
  • Voice the chords wide: a low octave in the bass, the chord in the middle, strings or choir on top.
  • Add a slow crescendo into each new chord, with timpani or a riser.

Every progression on the site, in every key, as MIDI in one zip: free MIDI chord progressions.

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Chord progressions by key

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Questions

What makes a chord progression sound epic?

Slow, strong moves between major and minor chords, a clear pull home and a big, wide sound. The VI-VII-i cadence is one of the most used.

What chords are used in film music?

Minor keys with major chords borrowed from the same key, harmonic minor for drama, and Lydian for wonder. Film composers also move between chords a third apart for colour.

What is Lydian?

A major scale with a raised fourth. It makes the chord on the second step major, so the home chord can move up to a bright major chord a whole step above.

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