Cinematic chord progressions have a unique flavor that makes them stand out in the world of music composition.

Today, we’ll take a look at what it takes to bring to life those magical compositions, starting from music theory, all the way to the chord progressions that made some movies timeless classics. By the end of the piece, you'll know everything you need to write your own cinematic music, video game music, or anything else you can think of.

Understanding Chord Progressions

We can’t realistically tackle the subject of cinematic chord progressions without knowing what a chord progression is. It’s a complex topic, so I’ll just give you a brief overview. Those who are already familiar with the music theory behind chord structures can skip this section.

For those just starting out, focusing on diatonality and functional harmony is a great way to begin understanding the theory behind progressions in music.

Diatonic chord progressions use notes from a single key. For instance, if you're writing a song in A major, all the chords will come from the A major scale, which contains the notes A, B, C#, D, E, F#, and G#.

From this scale, you can create triads, or chords with three notes in them:

• A major (I): A C# E
• B minor (ii): B D F#
• C# minor (iii): C# E G#
• D major (IV): D F# A
• E major (V): E G# B
• F# minor (vi): F# A C#
• G# diminished (vii°): G# B D

Each chord is usually represented with a Roman numeral: upper-case letters are the major chords while lower-case letters are minor chords. This gives us the progression: I - ii - iii - IV - V - vi - vii°.

The tonic, or I chord (A major in this case), is a reference point for all other chords, while the V chord (E major) is what is called the "dominant function," which has a strong “desire” to resolve back to the tonic.

When we study how chords relate to each other, we talk about voice leading, which describes how individual notes move from one chord to another.

For instance, when moving from V (E major) to I (A major), we notice the following:

• E (root) resolves to A (root).
• G# (third) resolves to A (root).
• B (fifth) resolves to C# (third of I).

This resolution makes I - V - I a common progression that sounds complete and harmonious.

If V resolves nicely to I, we can look for other chords that have a similar relationship.

The ii chord (B minor) is a fifth away from V. Adding ii before V creates the progression I - ii - V (A - Bm - E), where ii is a predominant chord, leading easily to the dominant chord (V). This I - ii - V progression is one of the most frequently used in various music genres, including jazz, classical, pop, and country.

Circle of Fifths

If you’re planning to become a soundtrack composer, the logical next step in music theory is to understand the Circle of Fifths.

A "fifth" is the fifth note on a major scale. By playing a note and then the note seven pitches higher, you establish a fifth. Continuing this pattern creates a circle that represents the relationships between keys visually. The closer two keys are on this circle, the smoother a transition will sound between them; in the same way, keys that are farther apart can create a more contrasting effect.

Why do you need to know this? Because transitioning between keys is critical when creating an emotional journey.

Film composers switch between keys to follow changes in the scenes, and the circle of fifths clearly shows how closely related keys are to one another. For example, moving from C major to G major is a common transition because the two keys share some notes, which makes the music flow naturally.

The circle of fifths also allows you to explore different melodies with confidence, moving between keys that are distant yet still related; shifting from C major to F# major can be quite a drastic change, but contrasting keys can work nicely if the scene calls for sudden movement.

When it comes to orchestration, composers can also choose key signatures that work well with specific instruments simply by following the circle of fifths, while preserving the harmonic progression.

Ultimately, soundtrack composition comes down to tension and release, and understanding the circle of fifths provides composers with a structure to build tension effectively. Either by resolving from a dominant chord back to the main chord, or using secondary dominants and modal interchange, you'll be able to add more depth to your music by following this system.

Best Examples

Let's examine how some of the most iconic scores utilize these progressions:

Interstellar - Hans Zimmer

A phenomenal soundtrack by one of the greatest living composers of film music. Interstellar’s main theme is in the key of A minor, but it starts with the VI chord, Fmaj7, followed by the minor v chord, E minor, which has G in the bass.

The third chord is A minor, which gives an obvious sense of resolution. Then, the progression returns to E minor, again with G in the bass, but with a D note in the melody this time. The minor chord progression, with the occasional chord inversions, creates an atmosphere of awe and mystery, which is a perfect fit for this mind-bending, visionary space opera.

Stranger Things - Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein

Stranger Things’ main theme is another great example because it features a simple yet effective way to create tension.

The theme only uses two chords: C major 7 and C major 7/E. However, the shift between these chords is particularly smooth, with just the roots of each chord played in different octaves in the bass.

C major 7 and C major 7/E have the same four notes, but changing the bass note gives each chord a different sound. The effect of the alternating bass notes beneath a chord creates an unsettling atmosphere that works perfectly with the story.

Princess Leia's Theme (Star Wars)- John Williams

I’ve always been more of a Star Trek person, but I can’t deny that Star Wars’ movies feature some of the best music compositions made for cinema. Of all the masterpieces composed over the decades, John Williams’ Princess Leia's Theme is a pinnacle of musical storytelling.

Written in D major, the theme's chord progression follows a pattern of I-iv-I-iv-II-vi-i-VI-iv-V-II dom 7. As such, the music shifts between major and minor chords, which is what gives an aura of longing to the music.

What I love the most about Leia's Theme is the way it transitions from a D major chord to a minor iv chord (G minor). The shift gives the music a bittersweet, nuanced, and majestic texture.

Williams uses G minor instead of a G major chord, to give a darker and more emotional tone to the soundtrack. Furthermore, as the theme progresses, the key shifts down by a half step, which magnifies the depth of the piece. The theme cycles through these chords twice, before going back to D major.

9 Cinematic Chords You Can Use for Your Soundtracks

I - V - vi – IV: Best for Pop Soundtracks

Example: C - G - Am - F

I - V - vi - IV is by far the most popular progression in Western music. It starts with the I chord (the tonic), moves to the V chord (the dominant), drops to the vi chord (the minor sixth), and ends with the IV chord (the subdominant).

Aside from being perfect for interchanging the tonal center, this progression intrinsically creates a feeling of upliftment, with a flow of emotions that moves gradually towards hope. The whole vibe feels complete and empowering, which is why it's been used countless times over the decades.

vi - IV - I – V: The Epic Piece

Example: Am - F - C - G

Another common sequence is vi - IV - I - V, which follows a similar pattern to I - V - vi – IV but starts with the submediant chord, the vi chord, before building up to a strong resolution.

It creates an emotional tone shift that's rather poignant, especially because the V provides a powerful emotional release to a character's journey.

vi - iii - V - II: Positivity and Hope

Example: Am - Em - G - D

This sequence works well for emotional moments, when the balance between sadness and hope is crucial.

The vi - iii - V - II chord progression takes listeners on an emotional journey. It starts with a vi chord that exudes solemnity, and the iii chord continues this feeling but begins to suggest a change. When the progression reaches the V chord, there's a sense of longing which culminates in the II chord, adding a surprising and positive twist.

vi - IV - V - iii: Sadness with Acceptance

Example: Am - F - G - Em

This progression starts again with the vi chord, but the IV chord that follows brings a temporary sense of stability. The next V chord creates tension, but the progression ends with the iii chord, which gives a bittersweet feeling.

The two minor chords make it sound sad, and especially the iii chord is responsible for the moving feeling that defines the progression.

To me, this structure is perfect for moments of acceptance and loss. It leaves the audience with a sense of unresolved emotion, which can work well when depicting the struggle of a main character.

I - IV - vi - V: The Hero’s Soundtrack

Example: C - F - Am - G

The I - IV - vi - V progression is another standard in movie storytelling that works well with heroic characters. It starts strong with the I chord, and then the IV chord further enhances the powerful feel of the music.

Next, the vi chord adds a subtle element of vulnerability to this major chord progression, and the V chord creates tension before returning to the foundational I chord.

ii - IV - vi - V: Majestic Progression

Example: Dm - F - Am - G

This progression is perfect for epic scenes. It starts with the ii chord, which gives it a sense of movement. The IV chord adds stability, while the vi chord brings some vulnerability. Finally, the V chord resolves with strength.

vi - IV - V - II: Uplifting Vibe

Example: Am - F - G - D

This progression is present in probably all YouTube videos featuring nature and relaxing music!

It starts with the vi chord, which in itself exudes a thoughtful and sad vibe. However, the IV and V chords build a sense of anticipation that’s inspiring and positive. The sequence ends with the II chord, which adds a sense of hope to the progression.

I - IV - ii - V: A New Adventure

Example: C - F - Dm - G

Here’s a progression that works great for scenes of action and travel.

The I - IV - ii - V progression is quite upbeat and starts with the I chord, which gives a strong foundation. The next IV chord expands the music, while the ii chord adds some tension. Finally, the progression resolves in the strong V chord, which gives a sense of excitement and energy.

I - iii - V - II: Expansive

Example: C - Em - G - D

The I - iii - V – II progression starts with the powerful I chord, moving on to a more unexpected iii chord. The V chord builds anticipation, while the II chord finally brings a sense of endless possibilities.

The two major chords at the end of this progression create a positive vibe that can be used in many cinematic contexts.

Final Tips

Creating a cinematic chord progression that resonates with people requires a sonic vocabulary that sounds both deep and familiar, so make sure you write music that people will be able to connect with and that will expand the meaning of what's happening on screen.

When it comes to movie soundtracks, options are virtually endless: for instance, learning more about minor keys can add a lot of emotional depth to your score, or switching from a major key to its minor version to create a strong contrast that can increase drama.

The same goes for borrowed chords from the parallel minor, like replacing a vi chord in a major key with the iv chord from the minor scale. Or mastering root movement to move between chords that share a common note.

Finally, adding a diminished chord into your progressions can create suspense and lead to a meaningful resolution, especially when you use it as a transition between two chords in traditional harmony.

Many soundtracks used diminished chords to add surprise to simple progressions. This trick, together with secondary dominants and key changes, will help you build a sonic palette that'll bring new emotions to life.

Good luck, and stay creative!