Hook Theory mined data to see how chords are used, then mapped them.
By Colin Lecher Posted 03.22.2013 at 3:29 pm 4 Comments

C Major Chord
C Major Chord Wikimedia Commons

Pop music might come off as formulaic sometimes, and, to some extent, that's probably true. Hook Theory is a song database, and after analyzing 1,300 popular songs, looking at the chord progressions in each, it spit back some pretty cool visualizations.

It's a lot of fun to look at, and there's a blog post you can read about the statistics uncovered from it, but the most interesting part is probably that it can predict what chord will come next in a song.

For example: If you're playing in the key of F and move to an A minor chord from an F major, popular songs are 67 percent likely to follow it up with a D minor chord. The Beatles' "A Day In The Life" follows that progression; so does "Float On" by Modest Mouse. (You can play the songs on the Hook Theory site if you want to hear the progression for yourself.)

Hook Theory Trends
Hook Theory Trends:  Hook Theory

Interesting stuff, and could be useful to musicians wanting to learn more about what works, or who are intent on doing something different. Or who just want to watch the chord progressions in "Call Me Maybe."

[Hook Theory]

4 Comments

Link to this comment
NicolasKrito
03/22/13 at 5:34 pm

This is pretty interesting, but it doesn't necessarily mean that just "pop music" is formulaic. A lot of music theory actually does follow certain formulas. The one in question here is the circle of fourths (or fifths, however you prefer). A D minor chord most likely follows an A minor chord in the key of F because that's the circle progression (in this case, it's the beginning of iii-vi-ii-V-I).

It's not just pop music, it's nearly all kinds of music. Plenty of classical composers used circle progressions too (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_progression).

And while music theory is really, really cool (and allows for plenty of creativity) this isn't really big news for anyone who has already studied music a bit.

Link to this comment
david_forbus
03/22/13 at 8:02 pm

Yes, first thought that came to me was; haven't these people ever heard of the circle of fifths? How is this news?

Link to this comment
quasi44
03/23/13 at 5:50 pm

While it is certainly true that often the most popular songs are exceedingly simple, and borne out of lack of real originality; those songs are rarely considered important work. Important work changes the game. Would this give a musician who actually makes their bread this way something worthwhile and new at changeup time? Would it EVER give anything new? Or just tell you what everyone else generally does?


140 years of Popular Science at your fingertips.



Popular Science+ For iPad

Each issue has been completely reimagined for your iPad. See our amazing new vision for magazines that goes far beyond the printed page



Download Our App

Stay up to date on the latest news of the future of science and technology from your iPhone or Android phone with full articles, images and offline viewing



Follow Us On Twitter

Featuring every article from the magazine and website, plus links from around the Web. Also see our PopSci DIY feed


April 2013: How It Works

For our annual How It Works issue, we break down everything from the massive Falcon Heavy rocket to a tiny DNA sequencer that connects to a USB port. We also take a look at an ambitious plan for faster-than-light travel and dive into the billion-dollar science of dog food.

Plus the latest Legos, Cadillac's plug-in hybrid, a tractor built for the apocalypse, and more.


Online Content Director: Suzanne LaBarre | Email
Senior Editor: Paul Adams | Email
Associate Editor: Dan Nosowitz | Email
Assistant Editor: Colin Lecher | Email
Assistant Editor:Rose Pastore | Email

Contributing Writers:
Rebecca Boyle | Email
Kelsey D. Atherton | Email
Francie Diep | Email
Shaunacy Ferro | Email

circ-top-header.gif
circ-cover.gif