I-V-I progression
Definition
The I-V-I progression is a common chord progression in music theory, particularly in the major key. It involves moving from the tonic (I) to the dominant (V), and then back to the tonic (I) again.
Analogy
Think of the I-V-I progression as a musical "roller coaster." Starting at the tonic is like slowly climbing up, reaching the dominant is like being at the top, and returning to the tonic is like coming down smoothly and safely.
Related terms
IV-V-I progression: Similar to I-V-I, this progression adds an extra chord before resolving back to the tonic. It starts with subdominant (IV), moves to dominant (V), and finally resolves on tonic (I).
Cadence: A cadence refers to a sequence of chords that creates a sense of resolution or finality. The I-V-I progression is often used as a cadential formula.
Circle of fifths: The circle of fifths is a visual representation of how keys are related based on their dominant relationships. It helps musicians understand progressions like I-V-I by showing how different keys connect through dominants.
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