Complex harmony from one easy trick
Hey music makers! Two things happening in today's issue that'll get you fired up:
We're diving into a progression that plays with your emotions—building tension, teasing resolution, then delivering that perfect payoff. Plus, I'll show you a simple stacking trick that instantly gives you access to gorgeous, sophisticated chords.
Let's dive in!
Real Song. Real Progressions
G♯m – C♯ – G♯m – C♯ – B/F♯ – F♯6 – B
💿 "Drive" by The Cars
Break it down:
Key: B major
Roman numerals: vi – IV/vi – vi – IV/vi – I⁶₄ – iii⁶₅ – I
Why it works: This progression is emotionally sneaky.
The G♯m to C♯ back and forth feels like it's building to something big, but it keeps pulling you back into the cycle. Just when you think you're going to get relief, the B/F♯ chord gives you almostwhat you want—but not quite.
As the tonic that B chord delivers the satisfaction your ear has been craving.
Also, notice how the bass line creates the emotional journey—the movement from G♯ to C♯ and back creates anticipation, while the shift to F♯ in the bass (I⁶₄) makes the final resolution to B feel even more satisfying.
🧠 Term of the Week: Double 4ths
What it is: Double 4ths is a voicing technique where you stack two perfect fourths (5 semitones each) on top of different chord tones or extensions. It creates rich, modern sounds that feel sophisticated but are built from a simple pattern.
How it sounds: These voicings have an open, floating quality that works beautifully in everything from jazz to indie rock. They avoid the density of traditional stacked thirds while maintaining harmonic richness.
Why it matters: Instead of memorizing dozens of complex chord spellings, you learn one simple stacking pattern that works anywhere. It's like having a master key that unlocks sophisticated harmony.
How to use it: Pick any chord tone (1, 3, 5) or the extensions (6, b7, 7, 9, 11, #11) as your starting point. Stack two perfect fourths above it. This gives you 9 new voicings.
Here are three easy wins:
Stack on the 1: Creates beautiful 7sus voicings (ex. C - F-Bb)
Stack on the 5: Creates open sus sounds (ex. C - G - C - F)
Stack on the 9: Creates add9(no3) colors that sound immediately modern (ex. C - D - G - C)
The bold letters show you where the stacked fourths begin.
🎯 Challenge for the Week
Using double 4ths
Start simple: Play the "Drive" progression using basic triads
Apply the technique: Upgrade the C♯ chord with a Double 4ths voicing (try C♯–F♯–B)
Experiment: Try the same stacking pattern on different chord tones
Ask yourself: How does this change the emotional character of the progression? Does it feel more modern? More spacious?
Sophisticated harmony isn't about years of study—it's about understanding simple patterns and knowing when to use them.
The Double 4ths technique adds more colors to your palette. Sometimes you need a basic triad. Sometimes you need something more floating.
The key is having options.
✉️ That's a wrap
Quick question: when you want to spice up a basic chord progression, what do you reach for first? Sus chords? Different voicings? Something else entirely?
I love hearing about everyone's different approaches. Drop me a line.
Organize Your Favorite Progressions in One Place
The Harmony Vault is a searchable chord progression system with over 260 ready-to-use progressions — perfect for writing, producing, or sketching new ideas.
Keep your go-to sounds, creative sparks, and harmonic ideas all in one place so you can create faster and stay in flow.
