probably a really dumb question but....

[chrism2sych]

when were talking chord progression like I iv v
are we really saying I(root) then from root to the Iv(4th interval) then to the v (fifth interval). If so where is the information on what were playing from each of these positions like for oversimplification sake playing all fifth chords from the I Iv V positions

[EADG mx]

Assume that "I" is the tonic chord of the key signature you're in. All other roman numerals correspond to the major or minor scale of that key. To notate a chord that is not diatonic, you could use a flat sign

uppercase is major, lowercase minor

I = C
IV = F
iv = Fm
vi = Am
bVII = Bb
bvii = Bbm


in minor it's the same idea except the chord qualities change and the V chord is usually altered to make it major.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chord_(music)#Scale_degree

[mambo4]

I -VI-V : describes a 3 chord sequence all in one key, the key of the root of the I chord. (i.e., all built from the same scale)

I = Major Chord played on the First scale degree (scale tones 1,3,5)

IV=Major Chord played on the Fourth scale degree (scale tones 4,6,1)

V=Major Chord played on the Fifth scale degree (scale tones 5,7,2)

I, IV, V= major chords ( Caps)
i, iv, v = minor chords (Lower case)

and it's not a dumb question, it's one of the smartest a musician can ask, IMHO this chord progression stuff is the real meat of music theory, the truly useful stuff. Especially for a sideman/ accompanist.

[DudeistMonk]

Okay I think I understand half your question....

First of all I think you mean I - IV - V (lowercase implies minor for future reference).

If your I chord is G major (G-B-D)
Then your IV chord is C major (C-E-G)
and your V chord is D major (D-F#-A)

and each chord would last 4 beats (1 bar)

These chords are typical of blues progressions and if you want to understand how chord progressions work I suggest you play some 12 bar blues. Just get out on u-tube and search 12 bar blues bass.

[Skywalker83]

the only dumb question is a question that isn't asked.

That is all, carry on!

[chrism2sych]

so then..... playing eights its all golden if.....you start on the root and are back by eight to go to the next? IV, V



I think that I "get" this a little better than I can "write" it out here.

[DocBop]

Originally Posted by chrism2sych

If so where is the information on what were playing from each of these positions like for oversimplification sake playing all fifth chords from the I Iv V positions

Also this has nothing to do with positions like positions on as guitar neck. They are scale degrees and the chords come from harmonizing the scale.

So you have a scale and number each note starting with root as I. Then harmonize the scale using the notes of the scale. That gives you chords that relate to each scale degree. Next musicians use those harmonized scale degrees in many ways and one is to say what chord moves to another in a chord progression.

So lets say your I IV V progression was to be played in C Major. You would have I = CMa. Go up to the 4th degree of C, F for IV = FMa. Last go up to the 5th degree of scale G for V = GMa.

That quick and dirty harmony and theory lesson.

[DudeistMonk]

so then..... playing eights its all golden if.....you start on the root and are back by eight to go to the next? IV, V



I think that I "get" this a little better than I can "write" it out here.

Well it would depend on what type of music you where playing.

The idea is to be on the Root note when the chord changes for the most part, there are exceptions but your not Paul McCartney so you want to be on the root when the chord changes (the 1 beat).

You could play: G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G | C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C

or you could play: G-G-G-G-G-G-A-B | C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C

or you could play: G-G-B-B-C-C-B-B | C-C-E-E-G-G-C-C

or a million other things...

A good way to start is to know you are going to play the root of the chord on the 1 beat and try to use notes from the chord you are currently playing to fill the space in-between. Sometimes you'll want a sharp transition like in my first example, sometimes you'll add a little walk to bring the song to the next chord like in my second and sometimes you'll be doing full out walking bass lines like my 3rd example. Just play around and use a drum machine or garage band loops and it will all start to make sense...and play the blues once you can play blues rock will start to make sense too.

[EADG mx]

Where did 8th notes come into this?

The harmony is the harmony is the harmony. Rhythms are kind of irrelevant at this point

[Stumbo]

Good blues riffs/progressions

[mambo4]

It seems like the OP is confusing his terminology

Generally:
Roman numerals (I,ii,iii, IV, V, vi,vii) refer to chords
(specifically the chords in the key of the I chord)

Arabic numerals most often refer to Scale tones or Chord tones
('Nashville numbers' being the exception:those are chords as above)

Chords vs. scales tone terminology is easily confused..

so then..... playing eights its all golden if.....you start on the root and are back by eight to go to the next? IV, V

"playing eights" would most likely be interpreted as "playing eighth notes" as someone above has already done. If that's what you meant then you should realize rhythm and harmony are kinda apples and oranges. What you play in any 4 beat measure is determined by the chord(s) within the measure. beyond that, the roman numerals have nothing to do with rhythm.

In context I suspect what you mean is either "playing all eight notes in the scale" or "playing octaves" . Playing octaves is usually fine since they are the same note. Playing all eight notes in a scale under a certain chord, on the other hand, is not always wise, because certain scale tones will clash with certain chords ( even so, some musicians will choose 'clashing' tones for deliberate harmonic effect)

My favorite non-notated, non-tabbed, plain English explanation of harmony (in a jazz context) is here

[DudeistMonk]

Yeah the OP's posts are kind of confusing, thats why I said...

Well it would depend on what type of music you where playing.

Which I meant in regards to rhythm however I think OP just wants to play a bare bones punk kind of bassline. (IE: I have a I-IV-V progression what can I pedal over these changes?) So that's how I answered the question (albeit with a little more info thrown in so he would begin to understand what the next step is)

I very well might have misinterpreted him. Hey chrism2sych can you be more specific about what you are trying to do? What kind of music are you trying to play? How did your original question come up?