Pop 101
View chords used in this chart
Intro: D G Bm A
verse 1:
D
Pop music 101
Some simple instructions
G
For a good first impression
Now let’s start with a first one:
Bm
A minor chord, tensions grow;
Fade in the bass like so;
G
Now with momentum go “stop”
And bring the beat back
D
It’s called Four-on-the-floor
A beat you can’t ignore
G
I’ll bring sexy back once more “yeah!”
They’ll love that “yeah!” fo’ sho’!
Bm
The chords are 1-4-6-4
Now I’m talkin familiar
G
Harmony in thirds, not fourths
Will take you into the Pre-Chorus
Pre-Chorus
Bm
Real quick now, don’t you bore us
A
Hurry up and get to the Chorus!
G
Dumb down, they won’t ignore us
Chorus:
G
Get to the floor!
Bm A G
And here’s some words you should know:
D A G
Like “DJ never let me go”
Bm A G
"pour shots", and then I’ll "lose control"!
D A
Or “baby baby baby baby baby”
G A
How about one more last word like
G Bm A
"Hey girl, we’ve only got tonight"?
G A
Some things just go together like:
G Bm A
"higher", "desire" and "fire;" "higher", "desire" and "fire"
verse 2:
D
Guitar and strings like these
To sound like Black Eyed Peas
G
This one’s a filtered swing
This one’s a legend key
Bm
Hipster music on cassette
But you probably don’t know that yet
G
808’s-… “hey! ho!” Hell yeah!
D
Heartfelt pop anthems
From Mumford and his Sons
G
Gang vocals here we come
Bm
“I…
Will…
A
Always wait”
wobble bass
Pre-Chorus
'Kay, slow down…
Take it to the Chorus!
Chorus
Bridge:
D
I can pitch and shift my voice if I want
G
I can pitch and shift my voice if I want
Bm
I can pitch and shift my voice if I want
A
I can make my voice low
D
The bridge is
The part when
You bring in
A rapper friend. “Sup?”
G
You simplify, you slow the beat
Abbreviate, feature defeat
Bm
Quick now, fill in the gaps. “Okay!!”
Right up and down, eliminate that which you
A
Really would rap an’
Give them a classic like “Get-get-get-get…”
Chorus
random dance music and beat-boxing weirdness
How to play Pop 101
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is D. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.