Pagode climb progression on electric guitar
What is the Pagode climb progression?
The Pagode climb progression is CmCmCmCm, F and Bb (ii–V–I), in the key of Bb major. Read as harmonic function it moves subdominant → dominant → tonic, arriving home on a cadence. With sevenths, common in this repertoire, the same path becomes Cm7Cm7Cm7Cm7, F7F7F7F7 and Bbmaj7Bbmaj7Bbmaj7Bbmaj7: there is no single required version. Play one chord per bar and let it loop.
Good music works like a good walk: you leave, get a little lost on purpose, and come back. The map of this one: Cm (ii, the stroll) → F (V, time to come back) → Bb (I, home). Press play and follow along — at the "time to come back" chord, notice the physical urge to hear Bb again — the home chord.
Electric guitar
On an electric guitar you rarely have to cover the low bass yourself, because in a band the bass player takes that job, so your chords can sit higher and cleaner. The electric guitar is not the traditional voice of samba or choro, but it fits MPB and modern arrangements well, adding smooth chords and quiet fills beside the core rhythm instruments. Its home chord Bb keeps its lowest note on A#.
Cadences: Harmony comes to rest here: hear cadences on the neck, 9 free and another one each week · use it in Chord and Fret
Save this progression in Chord and FretReharmonize: Want richer substitutions? Reharmonize's Subtle and Medium levels are free; Bold and Jazz are part of Pro · try it in Chord and Fret
Learn each chord of the trip
This is one shape of Bb. In the app, every chord in this progression comes with its other shapes and audio, free. Open in Chord and Fret →
Metronome: Drill this change in time, with tap tempo and subdivisions · see it in Chord and Fret