In music, primary chords are so popular it’s almost a cliché. In fact, a lot of musicians live on a simple diet of just those three chords—the tonic (I), subdominant (IV), and dominant (V). Like a nice plate of rice and beans, we can serve these three triads up in a variety of ways … and the dish is always tasty.

For example, imagine a hot meal of burritos, tacos, or enchiladas. Each recipe is awesome. But really, they’re all made from the same ingredients. By rearranging the tonic (I), subdominant (IV), and dominant (V) chords in different ways, we can create all sorts of songs that sound new and interesting. It’s pretty cool. The ingredients are the same, but the final product is totally different.

To see what I mean, check out the next classic song. Using the same, old primary chords, we can easily play a tune that everyone needs to know … “Happy Birthday.” As you move through each measure, try getting a feel for the chord progression. And after a little practice, you’ll be ready to perform it at your next birthday party. (Get out the balloons and confetti.)

Oh, yeah … and do you notice anything special about this song? That’s right—it has a 3/4 time signature. Which means we play it as a kind of waltz. Feel free to count out the beats in each measure to hear how it sounds. With three quarter-note beats per measure, this song goes something like this:

Also, the first two notes at the very beginning are called “pick-up notes.” We don’t actually count them as part of a real measure. Instead, they’re played before the first downbeat of the first measure. To hear it for yourself, play through this song a couple of times. And the result will sound great. With another chord progression—and a new time signature—under our belts, we’re starting to get really good … fast.