7 super common chord progressions and why they work

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  • čas pƙidĂĄn 14. 05. 2024
  • Thanks to Hooktheory for sponsoring this video. Use this link to get 20% off your first year of Chord Crush.
    : www.hooktheory.com/davidbennett đŸŽŒ
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    Some chord progressions are just so good and so effective that they get used time and time again, so let's today take a look at seven of the most commonly used chord progressions and perhaps shine a bit of light on why they work so well.
    Axis of Awesome four chord song: ‱ Axis of Awesome - 4 Fo...
    And, an extra special thanks goes to Douglas Lind, Vidad Flowers, Ivan Pang, Waylon Fairbanks, Jon Dye, Austin Russell, Christopher Ryan, Toot & Paul Peijzel, the channel’s Patreon saints! 😇
    SUPPORT ME ON PATREON: / davidbennettpiano đŸŽč
    0:00 Introduction
    0:22 the Axis Progression
    3:46 the OTHER Axis Progression
    6:29 the Andalusian cadence
    8:32 the Aeolian vamp
    11:05 the Doo-wop changes
    14:22 the Major Scale vamp
    16:38 the Mixolydian vamp

Komentáƙe • 2,7K

  • @DavidBennettPiano
    @DavidBennettPiano  Pƙed 2 lety +212

    Use this link to get 20% off your first year of Chord Crush www.hooktheory.com/davidbennett đŸŽŒ

    • @nethercreature1624
      @nethercreature1624 Pƙed 2 lety +8

      Pancakes or waffles?

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  Pƙed 2 lety +14

      @@nethercreature1624 pancakes

    • @nethercreature1624
      @nethercreature1624 Pƙed 2 lety +6

      @@DavidBennettPiano ooh ok personally i prefer waffles but i respect your opinion 🧇🧇🧇

    • @aylbdrmadison1051
      @aylbdrmadison1051 Pƙed 2 lety +7

      @@DavidBennettPiano I've always found it easy to figure out what chords singularly are being played, but recognizing the entire chord progression itself as it's own "color" is far more efficient. Giving names to all of these familiar sounds is helping my ear training a lot.
      Thank you David !! 😊

    • @aylbdrmadison1051
      @aylbdrmadison1051 Pƙed 2 lety

      @@nethercreature1624 : It's just mean to ask that question in the first place. 💔😭
      lols

  • @shvgvrqv6888
    @shvgvrqv6888 Pƙed 2 lety +302

    10:13 Gotye: "You didn't have to cut me off..."
    David: *cuts the song off*

  • @mikaoleander
    @mikaoleander Pƙed 2 lety +2166

    many people often try to frame common chord progressions like they're automatically bad because they're common, and i think it's great that this video doesn't do that. these progressions are common for a reason

    • @dentoncrimescene
      @dentoncrimescene Pƙed 2 lety +14

      Totes.

    • @lucasratti
      @lucasratti Pƙed 2 lety +12

      Facts

    • @oblivionpro69
      @oblivionpro69 Pƙed 2 lety +75

      Yea they’re certainly not automatically bad, but a lot of these great songs use those progressions, but use others in the song as well. Whereas a lot of cheap pop songs that come out consist of only a standard 1/4/6/5 or whatever the entire song, no creativity

    • @bigoldick-digoldbick
      @bigoldick-digoldbick Pƙed 2 lety +125

      @@oblivionpro69 a lot of those cheap pop songs put a lot more emphasis on the actual production rather than the harmonic structure of the song.

    • @ethanvelazquez6077
      @ethanvelazquez6077 Pƙed 2 lety +22

      They're definitely not bad but they're not as interesting as other progressions. You can get tired of them faster.

  • @marcelo_afonso
    @marcelo_afonso Pƙed 2 lety +925

    I studied music theory, music production, and I've been a musician for a long, long time. I stumbled on this video and I just want to point out this is one of the most brilliant ways to explain chord progressions. Entertaining, with perfect examples and explanations. Congratulations!

    • @CarlosCastilloproactivos
      @CarlosCastilloproactivos Pƙed rokem +4

      completely agree. Incredible how many different songs nd melodies are made out of the exact same chords.

    • @mfrench711
      @mfrench711 Pƙed rokem +4

      I also agree. Well done. I am musically illiterate, even though I play. Beautifully done. I just wish I could understand what it all means.

    • @StephanyMoraMusic
      @StephanyMoraMusic Pƙed rokem +1

      Agree

    • @colleenprinssen
      @colleenprinssen Pƙed rokem +1

      did you know, there is a gender that involves music theory. and nobody is inventing new genders, just finding new names for ideas that existed for thousands of years

    • @stephendevore
      @stephendevore Pƙed rokem +1

      @@mfrench711 What didn't you understand?

  • @knuteboy3778
    @knuteboy3778 Pƙed rokem +156

    That Mixolydian vamp (I-bVII-IV-I) is such a timeless and effective chord progression. It was especially prominent in the circa 1967-1975 classic rock era. It's dramatic and lends itself to a bluesy inflection very well.

    • @MikoRalphino
      @MikoRalphino Pƙed 4 měsĂ­ci +1

      as told by ginger anyone? anybody see that one chris cornell video? no? ok

  • @moko8237
    @moko8237 Pƙed 2 lety +1824

    It’s incredible that you can use Beatles music in almost every music theory video!

  • @angielo8515
    @angielo8515 Pƙed 2 lety +765

    “The combination of these 3 chords (I, IV, V) gives us 3 shades of tension, allowing for that sense of movement.”
    Best description of the purpose of chord progression! I am a elementary music teacher and always wonder how to explain that to my students. Thank you!

    • @ryananthony4840
      @ryananthony4840 Pƙed 2 lety +13

      This was the best video I've seen regarding chord progression right!

    • @noriaki.shinya
      @noriaki.shinya Pƙed 11 měsĂ­ci

      、

    • @bobf5360
      @bobf5360 Pƙed 5 měsĂ­ci

      I don't think Take On Me is 156m7.

  • @iandavies7991
    @iandavies7991 Pƙed rokem +89

    I love the Doo Wop or stand by me progression. It’s so soulful

    • @rashotcake6945
      @rashotcake6945 Pƙed rokem +10

      it feels like the hero’s journey. The comfortable beginning, the inciting incident that turns the hero’s world upside down, the comeback of the hero, and finally, the triumph over the villain

    • @thepierre396
      @thepierre396 Pƙed 8 měsĂ­ci

      @@rashotcake6945 the vi chord is way too comfy to be the incident. I would say Hero at home, hero begins his journey, inciting incident, triumph

    • @rayres1074
      @rayres1074 Pƙed měsĂ­cem

      I love it as well. After listening to a lot of doo wop you get that progression subconsciously ingrained in your mind

  • @andystephens8048
    @andystephens8048 Pƙed 2 lety +43

    In the Air Tonight is a great example of the Aeolian Vamp. It just lingers around until the drum fill halfway through that still blows me away after hearing the song a million times.

  • @jonnyboi2967
    @jonnyboi2967 Pƙed 2 lety +1890

    This is such a great video. You don’t just list of the most used chords. You also give examples and tell us what we feel in this chord and why.

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  Pƙed 2 lety +81

      😊

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  Pƙed 2 lety +81

      Thanks!

    • @stevesobot5372
      @stevesobot5372 Pƙed 2 lety +15

      I'll second that! Why did "San Francisco" surprise me ? Brilliant video David, bravo !!!

    • @johnny_w_morris
      @johnny_w_morris Pƙed 2 lety +5

      I agree! Really practical and useful approach to dissecting the emotion behind particular progressions, using familiar examples. Perfect, really!

    • @moose6781
      @moose6781 Pƙed 2 lety +16

      Love all the examples but this must have been sent into copyright hell!

  • @samuelmarger9031
    @samuelmarger9031 Pƙed 2 lety +64

    I'm thinking of another one: i-bIII-bVll-IV.
    "Wonderwall", "Mad World", "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", "New Divide", "Pumped Up Kicks", etc.

    • @blahdelablah
      @blahdelablah Pƙed 2 lety

      You could add "D'you know what i mean?" to that list, Oasis ended up using the same main chord progression for that song that they'd used in Wonderwall.

    • @jacobkilstrom
      @jacobkilstrom Pƙed 2 lety

      I was also thinking of that! It's also used in "Not Too Late for The Wine" and "Vilse i skogen".

    • @NeminemMashups
      @NeminemMashups Pƙed 19 dny

      Was wondering if that one's been bugging anyone but me. Btw there is a super famous mashup called Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Wonderwall vs Boulevard) by someone way more well known than me... I decided last year to extend it to a bunch more songs. czcams.com/video/Yds95Pbsx5k/video.html (though I like my more recent circle of 5ths progression compilation mashup even more. :))

  • @daveschachne
    @daveschachne Pƙed rokem +141

    The doo-wop chord progression (1/6/4/5) is also referred to as the "ice cream change". Seventy five years and still used in current pop music.

    • @kdeggraham895
      @kdeggraham895 Pƙed rokem +1

      I love 1645!!

    • @OlYables
      @OlYables Pƙed rokem +3

      "In the Still of the Night" is the prototypical doo-wop song to use this progression.

    • @frankjuggaloheathen1035
      @frankjuggaloheathen1035 Pƙed 11 měsĂ­ci

      This progression can even be rotated to form 6/4/5/1, sort of a minor version of it. Three examples are: the chorus from "Nobody's Fool" by Cinderella, "Defenders of Legacy" from the Bloody Roar OST, and the chorus from "An Angel Came Down" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

    • @TonyLovell
      @TonyLovell Pƙed 10 měsĂ­ci +1

      The most over-done progression of them all. Best example (maybe): Please Mr. Postman

    • @thenoseguy
      @thenoseguy Pƙed 9 měsĂ­ci

      ​@@kdeggraham895Too much black plague for me, but to each their own.

  • @rossstewart9475
    @rossstewart9475 Pƙed rokem +37

    Thank you for this David: As an old man who let his instruments sit idle because he had an ear but no drive to learn the basics, this short lesson reminded me of something I didn't want to do when I was 15: *actually learn and practice scales*.
    At the time, it seemed more useful (or perhaps just enjoyable...) to learn songs and licks. This small demonstration reminded me that 15 year me was a dafty, and those licks are worthless if you can't fit them into the key you're playing in.
    If you find yourself in Edinburgh, I owe you a coffee/beer at the least.

  • @matrixphijr
    @matrixphijr Pƙed 2 lety +247

    'Let It Be' is probably the perfect example to use at 2:48, as its words mirror its chord progression perfectly as based on your explanation:
    I - 'When I find myself' - Something incomplete. It could be the whole story, but that would be incredibly boring.
    V - 'in times of trouble' - The introduction of tension.
    vi - 'Mother Mary' - A partial resolution, but still something incomplete.
    IV - 'comes to me' - A total and complete resolution of the idea that leads perfectly into the next phrase.

    • @bencleners6655
      @bencleners6655 Pƙed 2 lety +6

      Wow I never realised that!

    • @drawntothefire
      @drawntothefire Pƙed 2 lety +17

      Would be great if that was true, but the I chord is the most complete in a major progression, and the IV is not complete, it's unresolved. But it sounded good.

    • @horrorhahn
      @horrorhahn Pƙed 2 lety

      I was thinking of that song when he played the chords the first time. It was very obvious. Love the Beatles

    • @marlithornton7530
      @marlithornton7530 Pƙed 2 lety

      @@bencleners6655 Probably cause it was only used for one line and every other song in this list flogged it for 3 and a half minutes!!

    • @psychedelic5290
      @psychedelic5290 Pƙed 2 lety

      theres ii used slightly after IV. but they are almost identical chords

  • @rome8180
    @rome8180 Pƙed 2 lety +302

    I was surprised that you didn't include the Pachebel Canon progression. You can hear it or (something close to it) in Green Day's "Basket Case," Blues Traveler's "Hook," Fastball's "The Way," Oasis's "Don't Look Back in Anger," Spacehog's "2nd Avenue" and a bunch of others.

    • @peterkelley6344
      @peterkelley6344 Pƙed 2 lety +35

      Actually I was surprised David stayed from the 1950's and forward. I kept expecting music from further back to pop up to show that Musical Generations ARE connected to each other. Personally I think he lost a great chance to show that.

    • @RugbyLeaguePassport
      @RugbyLeaguePassport Pƙed 2 lety +10

      Could do a whole clip on that

    • @MarksUkuleleTips
      @MarksUkuleleTips Pƙed 2 lety +29

      @@peterkelley6344 He did the Andalusian Cadence, which goes back as far as Baroque music.

    • @lannyfuller8367
      @lannyfuller8367 Pƙed 2 lety +7

      And most recently in Maroon 5's Memories. (Transposed to B.)

    • @nwimpney
      @nwimpney Pƙed 2 lety +11

      I know I saw a video somewhere showing all those comparisons, and most of them are different in musically significant ways. Don't look back in anger, transposed into d for example is:
      D A Bm F#7 G A D Bm A
      vs canon:
      D A Bm F#m G D G A
      Sure, the first 3 chords are the same, but then Oasis goes to 7th chord instead of a minor, which has a very different sound, and then the rest of the progression is not all that similar.
      You could argue that the A and Bm are just passing chords, which is fair enough, it's a small difference, but then we also don't hit the G chord, which gives a very different feeling to looping back to the start.
      When you add up all those small differences, you essentially just have a song that happens to also start with I-V-vi , which I think is not that unusual.

  • @lebronzejames9738
    @lebronzejames9738 Pƙed rokem +61

    I'm speechless! I've been looking for this video for ages, just no way to know how to "find it" online. I love how you gave us the most common, described how they worked together w tension and resolve and boring vs less boring and played them as examples songs that we've all heard and loved before. Thank you for taking a very "overly academic" subject like music theory, and breaking it down to 5yr old level understanding and no analysis paralysis. Perfect balance keep it up! Edit: In another video, could you break down the "strumming"/"vamping" on how to take a given chord and strumm/vamp properly? So I could apply these chord changes, Love the roman numerals the explanation of the flat 7s and the tension/resolve I think you touch on all of the essentials wo overcomplicating it in a good balance!

  • @davidnotonstinnett
    @davidnotonstinnett Pƙed rokem +38

    Found this trying to track down why “Dear Maria” fits so well with anime openings,
    I think I’ve decided the reason is that vi IV I V has a similar vibe to the Royal Road progression, where, while we do get resolution with the V, there is this ability to kind of revolve through the chords over and over.

  • @Tremaine26
    @Tremaine26 Pƙed 2 lety +17

    Some more I - V - vi - IV that I've found:
    5SOS "She Looks So Perfect" in E
    Adele "Easy On Me" in F
    Aerosmith "Cryin" in A
    Alanis Morissette "Head Over Feet" in C
    Alicia Keys "No One" in E
    Blink 182 "Feeling This" in E
    Christina Aguilera "Just A Fool" in G
    John Legend "So High" in D
    Jonas Brothers "When You Look Me In The Eyes" in D
    Jordin Sparks "Tattoo" in D
    Kanye West "Runaway" in E
    Kelly Clarkson "Already Gone" in A
    NSYNC "Merry Xmas, Happy Holidays" in F
    One Direction "Perfect" in D
    P!nk "Please Don't Leave Me" in Db
    Taylor Swift "Love Story" in D
    Taylor Swift "Wildest Dreams" in Ab
    The Script "Man Who Can't Be Moved" in Bb
    Few more vi - IV - I - V
    Adele "Hello" in Ab
    Avril Lavigne "My Happy Ending" verse in D
    Beyonce "If I Were A Boy" in Gb
    Coldplay "The Scientist" in F
    Enrique Iglesias "Bailando" in G
    Kelly Clarkson "Stronger" in C
    Sia 'Bird Set Free" in Ab

  • @Rome.Monroe
    @Rome.Monroe Pƙed 2 lety +169

    The Mixolydian vamp is why I always say that harmonically, mixolydian is wayyyy brighter and happier sounding than Ionian major. Every song that uses that progression makes me feel dreamy and happy.

    • @user-oy7gz5bf2h
      @user-oy7gz5bf2h Pƙed 2 lety +19

      Interesting. A Major7th chord always sounds nostalgic and sort of sad/dreamy to me. Never thought of ionian like that, though. But yeah, mixo can be very bright.

    • @C0SMICP0PE555
      @C0SMICP0PE555 Pƙed 2 lety +2

      Isn’t Fire and Rain Mixolydian? At least I could hear it during the piano outro David did.

    • @robharris6874
      @robharris6874 Pƙed 2 lety +1

      @@user-oy7gz5bf2h Exactly it`s a blues scale a flat 7th of the major scale !

    • @Tsskyx
      @Tsskyx Pƙed 2 lety +8

      I have my own interpretation of musical theory. I don't think any other modes aside from the Ionian and Aeolian actually exist, as the music pulls you back to the Ionian/Aeolian tonic anyways if you accidentally mis-emphasize the chords. For example, notice how in that last song David played, it's much easier to think of the IV as the tonic, rather than the I. Interpreting it this way, the progression just becomes V-IV-I-V, or I-V-IV if you rearrange it, which is related to the I-V-vi-IV progression, but since it's all major chords, it's actually very happy, and THIS I believe is the root of that happy sound you were referring to. The reason why I think those other modes do not exist is because of the vii° chord, which can pull you back to the I chord if you add the 5th scale degree (thus transforming it into V7, i.e. BDF -> GBDF), or to the vi if you add the 6th degree (BDF -> BDFA). But this vii° can NEVER pull you back to any other scale degree, because it just won't sound resolved. This is the reason why in mode theory, people often talk about "avoid chords", which are chords that one must avoid if one wants to stay in a given mode, because again, modes present false/unstable tonics.

    • @MehYam2112
      @MehYam2112 Pƙed 2 lety +6

      Yeah, the major 7th has a sadness to it. Minor 7th comes to party

  • @SunshineMix101
    @SunshineMix101 Pƙed rokem +29

    David's videos are a masterclass in music theory. He ties so many loose ends together that things start to make sense.

  • @blerst7066
    @blerst7066 Pƙed 2 lety +29

    Showing examples of songs using those chord progressions was genius. It gives you a good idea of how that chord progression sounds and what emotions it evokes.

    • @LedByGrace
      @LedByGrace Pƙed 2 měsĂ­ci

      Yes. Excellent video. I agree.

  • @wailshark
    @wailshark Pƙed 2 lety +213

    Love the mixolydian one. It's basically a cheat code to writing music that sounds 'anthemic'. It just makes people want to shout along with it. Primal Scream and that newer Lorde song a great examples, too.

    • @MisterL777
      @MisterL777 Pƙed 2 lety +10

      I see mixolydian as the "rock and roll" one (read that somewhere), so it makes sense.

    • @DMSProduktions
      @DMSProduktions Pƙed 2 lety +2

      @@MisterL777 ACDC!

    • @johnny_w_morris
      @johnny_w_morris Pƙed 2 lety +6

      If you like Mixolydian, then I'm sure you love Mixolydian/b6. It's like an automatic connection between bright-ish Rock and minor-sounding phrases.

    • @daveduffy2823
      @daveduffy2823 Pƙed 2 lety +5

      That flat major 7 is all over classic rock.

    • @seejayjames
      @seejayjames Pƙed 2 lety +2

      @@MisterL777 -- really it's the blues one first, with I7, IV7, V7, rock drew from that.

  • @Luxalpa
    @Luxalpa Pƙed 2 lety +16

    Some more interesting 4 chord progressions:
    JPop / Anime progression: IV-V-(major)III-VI
    Another pop progression: I-(major or minor)III-VI-IV
    More melancholic: I-VI-II-IV
    Get Lucky: II-IV-VI-V
    Melancholic variant: I-V-II(with 7)-IV
    Modern Pop: VI-I-V-IV
    Some other pop variant: VI-IV-(major)II-(major)III

    • @MisterL777
      @MisterL777 Pƙed 2 lety

      A while ago I listened to some anime songs thinking "what's the "anime" ingredient in there?" as chord progression couldn't be the only thing.
      If some of you have more insight on this one I'll be glad to listen.

    • @emrylmusic
      @emrylmusic Pƙed 2 lety

      @@MisterL777 Adam Neely has a good video on it that might help answer that question czcams.com/video/gFXcwv9XISc/video.html . it might also be the type of instruments used, or that it uses more extensions to be jazzier

    • @MisterL777
      @MisterL777 Pƙed 2 lety

      @Zeffo Thank you

    • @KeripiK_CTMM
      @KeripiK_CTMM Pƙed 2 lety

      imma pitch in vi-iii-IV-I

  • @methyod
    @methyod Pƙed rokem +5

    Man, I went through like three of these videos looking for my beloved 1-b7-4 progression. My absolute favorite thing in the world is banging out some 1-b7-4 with my buddies. Like half the songs my band play use that progression and every time I hear a song with it it makes me happy.

  • @LemonesqueStudio
    @LemonesqueStudio Pƙed 2 lety

    Coming from a guitar/bass background only playing by ear for the last 35 years and now wanting to understand composition a lot more this has been the most useful thing I've seen online in the past 5 years. Thanks for sharing.

  • @jamescree6732
    @jamescree6732 Pƙed 2 lety +226

    Terrific.
    I love seeing the chords changing in real time with on screen graphics, makes it stick better.
    Great job dude

  • @Neoverse105
    @Neoverse105 Pƙed 2 lety +649

    0:25 I - V - vi - IV ("Axis")
    3:47 vi - IV - I - V
    6:29 i - ♭VII - ♭VI - V (Andalusian cadence)
    8:32 i - ♭VII - ♭VI - ♭VII ("Aeolian vamp")
    11:05 I - vi - IV - V ("Doo-wop / 50s")
    13:31 I - vi - ii - V ("Blue moon")
    14:21 I - IV - V
    14:15 I - V - IV - V
    16:41 I - ♭VII - IV - I ("Mixolydian vamp")

    • @johnelder3978
      @johnelder3978 Pƙed 2 lety +21

      I clicked translate to english and it still has roman numerals? CZcams translate is broken.

    • @Mabbdaa
      @Mabbdaa Pƙed 2 lety +21

      @@johnelder3978 That's because the Roman numerals in the comment are English characters.

    • @bobdobbs7828
      @bobdobbs7828 Pƙed 2 lety +4

      @@Mabbdaa Why doesn't he write them in the original latin then? Lazy.

    • @Mabbdaa
      @Mabbdaa Pƙed 2 lety +18

      @@bobdobbs7828 You should know what Roman numerals are. Especially if you're a musician. If not, learn them now, it's extremely easy to understand.

    • @bobdobbs7828
      @bobdobbs7828 Pƙed 2 lety +3

      @@Mabbdaa Why should I? I don't speak no foreign language and I use google translate with anything that is written in one.

  • @amybradley2514
    @amybradley2514 Pƙed rokem +2

    I took piano for many years, never really had formal music theory, but some things stick in your head. I love watching your videos because you elucidate what my mind subconsciously understands and recognizes. AND I start listening to favorites songs and music in sort of a new way.

  • @ryoko65
    @ryoko65 Pƙed rokem +7

    One feature of the Dr. Demento radio show was to string together a medley of song snippets that all used the same chord progression like these songs do.... It's great to hear how versatile a few chords can be.

  • @gwalla
    @gwalla Pƙed 2 lety +65

    Honorable mention to the ƌdƍ or "Royal Road" progression, IV△7-V7-iii7-vi, which is ubiquitous in Japanese popular music. It's associated with the 1950s enka style, but is used in practically everything from '60s-'70s bubblegum to modern synth-heavy hip-hop-influenced pop, like if the doo wop progression had never fallen out of fashion. It perfectly balances major and minor chord qualities, and is sometimes described as sounding "floaty", possibly because it avoids the tonic. The name "royal road" implies that it's the path to guaranteed success (a more idiomatic translation might be "easy street"). It's less common in Western pop but there is an example that shows how reliable it is: it's never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and desert you.

    • @azb2a
      @azb2a Pƙed 2 lety +10

      A recent use of this progression is Leave the Door Open by Silk Sonic. Also in western music it was quite common in 70s soul music. But it is indeed in Japanese music that it is the most frequent.

    • @NagoyaHouseHead
      @NagoyaHouseHead Pƙed 2 lety +1

      What does the triangle represent ? Anyway I feel this progression is weak. Going 4 to 5 is strong. But 5 to 3 minor is definitely weak. And 3 minor to 6 minor is weak also. No strength of direction. If the 3 chord was major it would be strong.

    • @gwalla
      @gwalla Pƙed 2 lety +4

      @@NagoyaHouseHead The triangle is the symbol for major. The IV chord is a major 7th.
      Honestly I think the lack of strong resolution may be part of the point. It just kinda hangs out, avoiding the tonic for 8 or so bars (sometimes nearly the entire tune), until the songwriter brings it home with a ii-V-I or IV-V-I.

    • @diananoelle1968
      @diananoelle1968 Pƙed 2 lety +8

      😂 I can’t believe I just got rickrolled in the comments. Nice. And I’m still singing it in my head.

    • @eloiseripley
      @eloiseripley Pƙed 2 lety

      What's the name of this one
      IVMaj7 - III7 - vi - v?? (EG. JUST THE TWO OF US) very similar...

  • @jesperv.laustsen4923
    @jesperv.laustsen4923 Pƙed 2 lety +20

    I was actually doing some work, and accidently fell into this rabbit hole. Some times rabbit holes just steals your time away, but this was actually quite soothing and enlightning. Thanks David - best rabbit hole all day 🙂

    • @jcolby298
      @jcolby298 Pƙed 2 lety +1

      same here! it showed up in my recommendations and I had to click it. awesome.

  • @The9mmProfessor
    @The9mmProfessor Pƙed 2 lety +3

    đŸ€Ż Thank you so much for this...I learned quite a lot and gained some CRAZY insight into what can make a song a song. Keep this going man!

  • @jessicalee333
    @jessicalee333 Pƙed 5 měsĂ­ci +3

    13:44 that cut made it look like Marty McFly was looking at a photo of the Beatles. 😆

  • @aptudo
    @aptudo Pƙed 2 lety +34

    Your explanations really inspire me to try things in my own musical explorations. I think your “secret sauce” is that you focus on the way chords and progressions translate into *feelings*. Music is all about making people feel things, and yet many people who try to explain theory focus very little on the emotion. Thank you!

  • @keithdavies100
    @keithdavies100 Pƙed 2 lety +50

    Oh, that was just absolutely brilliant. I can't believe all that had just passed me by all the years I've been playing. These videos are fantastic, David - thanks very much indeed.

  • @soniachapple3141
    @soniachapple3141 Pƙed rokem

    The best chord progression vid I’ve ever seen. You make the theory so easy to follow along, understand so much better and implement. Thank you xx

  • @sarahsuarez8616
    @sarahsuarez8616 Pƙed rokem +1

    I have truly been enjoying your videos, extremely well researched and presented. As a private music teacher your videos are so informative to remind me of so many things that I learned in music school on music theory and history. THANK YOU! Keep posting!

  • @alansturgess1324
    @alansturgess1324 Pƙed 2 lety +118

    David makes even the most complex themes and theories crystal clear - this is an easier example, but the crystal clarity is still there. Perfectly explained and illustrated.

    • @jamesmayle3787
      @jamesmayle3787 Pƙed rokem

      The Bible is truth.
      Please read at least three books of the Bible, Genesis, Mathew, and one of personal choice. As you do practice forgiveness. This is an important key step. To be forgiven we must forgive. You must do the inner work Jesus Christ taught. Start by forgiving your parents. They’ve loved you. They should be easiest. Look inside for those grievances we all build up and genuinely within your heart, forgive. Mean it. That’s they key. This step is crucial. Breaking down before Jesus Christ and asking for forgiveness really only works once you’ve put his teachings into practice in your life. Please trust me.
      Jesus Christ is the way truth and life

    • @theverseshed
      @theverseshed Pƙed rokem

      @@jamesmayle3787 What on earth has that got to do with either this upload or my comment? . . . Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
      This is a perfect example of zealotism flying in the face of all rationality or reasonableness.
      Pointless and irrelevant for anything at all to do with David's upload.

  • @thebestcc12
    @thebestcc12 Pƙed 2 lety +67

    Probably one of the best chord analysis videos I've seen on YT. Thanks for this bro!

  • @alexdelarge8772
    @alexdelarge8772 Pƙed rokem +14

    Nice job! helps explain why a lot of pop music sounds so similar when the progression is simply looped over and over with out breaking out of it with more bridges and choruses. Also, just interesting in general, and the best thing you did were the examples of well known songs while highlighting the progression. Thanks!

  • @andrewsnow5007
    @andrewsnow5007 Pƙed 10 měsĂ­ci +1

    Amazing video. So we’ll presented. It’s actually presented in a way where I can learn. I love that you show the chords on screen, say why they work, and give multiple examples. So good. New subscriber here

  • @importedloser
    @importedloser Pƙed 2 lety +4

    This is a fantastic video, I've heard these progressions in music before but it was awesome to see them broken down and analyzed in such a careful and well explained way

  • @sophovot5079
    @sophovot5079 Pƙed 2 lety +7

    Dude that's so interesting! Fascinating how all the songs with the same chord progressions are so different on the surface but actually sound pretty similar when you pay attention

  • @Nawnish-Pawnish
    @Nawnish-Pawnish Pƙed rokem +1

    You are amazing! Your interpretations of chord progressions make so much sense as do your examples which really bring it home. You are quite exceptional. You really impress me.

  • @Midi-olo-gist6758
    @Midi-olo-gist6758 Pƙed rokem +7

    Awesome video. I love that you embraced the semi modular with the DAW marring them together. This is what I always thought should happen. Not like a lot of these people wanting to throw out the DAW for live looping. Thanks and keep up the great work. Really innovative. Stay creative!!

  • @petercohen3966
    @petercohen3966 Pƙed 2 lety +13

    Amazing lesson. I'm gonna watch over and over. I don't think I've ever done a piano lesson this informative, especially in 21 minutes.

  • @PewciSlayer
    @PewciSlayer Pƙed 2 lety +84

    There’s also one established progression and it’s gotten a bit of a resurgence in recent releases which is the ii-IV-I-V (and it’s rotational variant I-V-ii-IV).
    Excellent video, by the way!

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  Pƙed 2 lety +27

      I love that progression
 I think it’s the progression from the outro of “I Know The End” by Phoebe Bridgers.

    • @j.lindback
      @j.lindback Pƙed 2 lety +11

      @@DavidBennettPiano It's also from the verses of "Mad world", and the rotational variant is from the chorus of "Love really hurts without you" by Billy Ocean. Also, thank you for another amazing video!

    • @elicalalang-lacroix8673
      @elicalalang-lacroix8673 Pƙed 2 lety +5

      @@DavidBennettPiano it’s the progression for the middle section! The outdo is i-bVI-IV in the parallel minor to the key used in most of the song

    • @wyssmaster
      @wyssmaster Pƙed 2 lety +9

      I-V-ii-IV will always be the Closing Time progression to me, no matter how many times Taylor Swift uses it

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  Pƙed 2 lety +2

      @@wyssmaster great song!!

  • @stivosaurus
    @stivosaurus Pƙed rokem +1

    That was fascinating. I am finally starting to get the tension/resolution thing and how each chord plays a role. Thanks.

  • @jomertomale
    @jomertomale Pƙed rokem +6

    You always make your videos "for all" with the variety of examples you give. Great vid

  • @thomasrinschler6783
    @thomasrinschler6783 Pƙed 2 lety +9

    This was really one of your best videos, in my opinion. Playing multiple songs back to back was an extremely effective method of illustrating the chord progressions. I really hope you take up the suggestions here to do other videos illustrating other chord progressions in this manner!

  • @Butterinthefield
    @Butterinthefield Pƙed 2 lety +28

    As a music teacher, I find your material brilliant and useful. Please keep up the good work!

  • @augustdaye2746
    @augustdaye2746 Pƙed 2 lety +21

    Amazing... Even the old workhorse of the bunch - the 1/6/4/5, the progression that launched a decade of great music, isn't spent. Dolly Parton can still go straight to the heart with "I will always love you." Creativity is infinite. Great video, as usual, David.

    • @edgarwalk5637
      @edgarwalk5637 Pƙed rokem +2

      It's amazing how the same progression can sound so different in different hands!

    • @arnold08
      @arnold08 Pƙed rokem +1

      The Monster Mash is my absolute favourite 1/6/4/5

  • @davidcloutman2949
    @davidcloutman2949 Pƙed rokem

    This is a great video. I pulled out my bass, jammed with the progressions, and learned quite a bit. One of the best music lessons of my life. Thanks!

  • @IsaiahStewartJazz
    @IsaiahStewartJazz Pƙed 2 lety +3

    Thanks so much, David! I love all these progressions. Nice to see them demonstrated across decades of great music. Awesome video

  • @dpa103304
    @dpa103304 Pƙed 2 lety +13

    One the best videos for illustrating music theory I’ve seen.
    David, you are a genius. You make understanding music so accessible. And your presentations are so charming and matter of fact. Love your videos. Thank you. Oh, and you are a great musician too.

  • @ecoop20
    @ecoop20 Pƙed 9 měsĂ­ci +7

    Long time ago, right after i finished high school, I went off to college on my own. I got a new laptop that had this chord progression playing in the background as I did the initialization process. It had this kind of airy, hopeful, yet melancholic feel to it. I've always thought fondly of that simple tune that is inextricably linked to a landmark moment in my life. The final progression in this video instantly made me think of it, because it was that progression exactly. I've always wondered about it. Thank you for solving a mystery for me.

  • @MrD3000
    @MrD3000 Pƙed 2 lety +3

    This kind of stuff is what CZcams was made for.

  • @jerrytracey6602
    @jerrytracey6602 Pƙed 2 lety +36

    This is a fantastically useful video. Your explanations of music theory are the clearest I have ever come across. The relevant examples you give, and your demonstrations are just spot on. As a life long guitarist, I have often struggled to work out the cord progressions of songs I am trying to learn by ear, but having started taking the piano more seriously, I am able to see more clearly how the chords relate to one another, and this video is a great tool to help me understand how the progressions work. I have placed this in my CZcams Keep list, and I'll be referring to it again and again, and taking copious notes ... oh, that pun snuck up on me, but I like it!

    • @jamesmayle3787
      @jamesmayle3787 Pƙed rokem

      The Bible is truth.
      Please read at least three books of the Bible, Genesis, Mathew, and one of personal choice. As you do practice forgiveness. This is an important key step. To be forgiven we must forgive. You must do the inner work Jesus Christ taught. Start by forgiving your parents. They’ve loved you. They should be easiest. Look inside for those grievances we all build up and genuinely within your heart, forgive. Mean it. That’s they key. This step is crucial. Breaking down before Jesus Christ and asking for forgiveness really only works once you’ve put his teachings into practice in your life. Please trust me.
      Jesus Christ is the way truth and life

  • @dr-ozone
    @dr-ozone Pƙed 2 lety +24

    LOVE the Mixolydian Vamp. I've always been calling it "the one flat seven four progression". Thanks for putting a name to that!

    • @zzzaphod8507
      @zzzaphod8507 Pƙed 2 lety +5

      I've been calling it the Hey Jude progression....

    • @Moonless_Future
      @Moonless_Future Pƙed 2 lety +2

      I was calling it the "Back In Black." To me, "Mixolydian Vamp" would just be I-bVII.

  • @irgendwer1155
    @irgendwer1155 Pƙed rokem +119

    May I propose an update for the chapters:
    0:00 Introduction
    0:22 I V | vi IV the Axis Progression
    3:46 vi IV | I V the OTHER Axis Progression
    6:29 i bVII bVI V (on aeolian!) the Andalusian cadence
    8:32 i bVII bVI bVII(on aeolian!) the Aeolian vamp
    11:05 I vi IV V the Doo-wop changes
    14:22 I V IV V the Major Scale vamp
    16:38 I bVII IV I (on mixolydian!) the Mixolydian vamp
    Whoops or maybe not. I just see now what I may call didactically errors.
    Why the heck ya changing the reference point for you scale degree?
    ... and doing so without explicitly mention !
    Okay I better create another comment for that.

    • @kithcurse4224
      @kithcurse4224 Pƙed rokem

      Thank you so much man , i was thinking of reading writing this down from the video but you made it easier for me 👍👍

  • @koencuypers
    @koencuypers Pƙed rokem +6

    The French composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier, 17th century, composed a Magnificat on this progression. The ouverture of his Te deum is very well known as the Eurovision theme.

  • @monicakamenova2488
    @monicakamenova2488 Pƙed 2 lety +9

    I've never really been interested in music theory, I'm more of a hands on type learner when it comes to that, but the way you explain things is so intriguing and now I wanna know more!

  • @Timmie1995
    @Timmie1995 Pƙed 2 lety +39

    I would call the Myxolidian vamp the Stadium Anthem Vamp, judging from the songs you used as an example. Great video, gives a lot of insight, thanks!

    • @OrangeNash
      @OrangeNash Pƙed 2 lety

      "The Bozo Vamp" :-)

    • @musitect
      @musitect Pƙed 2 lety +1

      Stadium Anthem Vamp... Love it.
      It may be the best mode for audience participation/sing-alongs - making everyone feel happy

  • @vincentjackson3472
    @vincentjackson3472 Pƙed rokem

    What a brilliant video ! As a guitarist trying to teach and learn by myself, this was so so so helpful, and just flat out interesting!
    Here's my man!

  • @photoguy4212
    @photoguy4212 Pƙed rokem +4

    This is one of the greatest pieces of musical theory I’ve ever learned. This should be the very first thing they teach. Thank you for providing this.

  • @rosslarsen6144
    @rosslarsen6144 Pƙed 2 lety +5

    I always come away from these smarter than when I started. You're an excellent teacher and have definitely made me a better songwriter. Thanks a million.

  • @BashkirCurlyGirl
    @BashkirCurlyGirl Pƙed 2 lety +17

    This is a really well done breakdown of these progressions and I love all the examples you gave for each. I'm definitely sharing this with my music students. Thank you for creating this video!

  • @juanrojas7505
    @juanrojas7505 Pƙed rokem +1

    This is by far the best video on the subject I have found in youtube. Thanks so much. đŸŽŻđŸ‘đŸ€Ż

  • @rraawk00
    @rraawk00 Pƙed rokem

    wonderful editing! i love the way you cut all of these songs together.

  • @MatusFinchus
    @MatusFinchus Pƙed 2 lety +22

    Love this. Always enjoyed the 'study' of chord progressions and identifying them myself. I predicted a lot of your examples prior to them playing. :) I always think it's amazing too how these underpin SO MANY different songs, yet many can sound so different despite having the same backbone.

    • @chrislynch1235
      @chrislynch1235 Pƙed 2 lety +2

      I give a lot of credit to producers for making a hit out of something that would otherwise be one of a hundred similar songs--something that people would otherwise be bored with the week it came out. They come up with inversions and extensions of chords, tweak effects, add overdubs, bring in just the right guy to mix it, etc. It's an art form all its own.

  • @phiblr
    @phiblr Pƙed 2 lety +25

    That piano piece you played at the end over the Patreon names really gave me a Sims 1 OST vibe - a warm sound with just a single piano playing.
    Not sure if it was intentional or not, but it sounded great! Love your videos and look forward to the next one!

    • @phiblr
      @phiblr Pƙed 2 lety

      This kind of sound (to my untrained ears at least!) czcams.com/video/Bs5QGN-zhwM/video.html

    • @cockatootwin9003
      @cockatootwin9003 Pƙed 2 lety +2

      i thought exactly the same thing!

    • @muhammadakyas4373
      @muhammadakyas4373 Pƙed 2 lety

      czcams.com/video/IJMds3jT7c8/video.html

    • @yudasgoat2000
      @yudasgoat2000 Pƙed 2 lety

      I was thinking "Night Moves".

    • @Rdifycuvi
      @Rdifycuvi Pƙed 2 lety +1

      Almost “The Way It Is - Bruce Hornsby”

  • @charlotteyeh2622
    @charlotteyeh2622 Pƙed 11 měsĂ­ci

    I like that you included so many examples in the video. It really helps!

  • @justinreilly3107
    @justinreilly3107 Pƙed rokem

    Another incredible video. I’ve shared it with two of my family members that don’t play instruments but will find this video interesting. Hope that helps the channel grow!

  • @NassosConqueso
    @NassosConqueso Pƙed 2 lety +32

    Cool video!
    The 'Axis Progression' is also known as the Optimistic Progression, and the 'other' is also known as the Pessimistic Progression.

  • @youtubepremium3505
    @youtubepremium3505 Pƙed 8 měsĂ­ci +3

    Great job. I especially like the song examples from different genres and eras which clearly illustrate the chord progressions.

  • @millmoormichael6630
    @millmoormichael6630 Pƙed rokem

    Been playing and writing my own stuff since I was 8 and this was the first time I got interested in chord progressions, thanks!

  • @gabrielleao7406
    @gabrielleao7406 Pƙed 10 měsĂ­ci +1

    I think my best example of I / VIIb / IV / I is 'Werefolf from London". That one is crystal clear about it's musical intentions. Absolutely lovely. Thanks for all the hard work mate!

  • @taylorflemingmusic
    @taylorflemingmusic Pƙed rokem +6

    I loved this lesson. One additional thing you may like to know: the Andalusian cadence was formerly known as a "lament bass line" when talking about figured bass in the euro tradition.

  • @Mezilesialan
    @Mezilesialan Pƙed 2 lety +11

    I will watch this video , superbly well made, many times David. Chord progressions, indescribably beautiful. So enjoyable ! Alan

  • @alexpick2028
    @alexpick2028 Pƙed 2 lety +2

    awesome videos David, so impressed mate. keep up the amazing work : )

  • @georgiagalaxy
    @georgiagalaxy Pƙed 10 měsĂ­ci

    I love your playing at the end, the whole vid was a great treat for my music-loving ears â˜ș

  • @chameleon-dream-band-official
    @chameleon-dream-band-official Pƙed 2 lety +13

    One of the best things I did as a musician was to dive into the chords and modes of other parent scales (Double Harmonic Major, Harmonic Minor, etc.). These give so many interesting and different creative options.

  • @evanhouston7246
    @evanhouston7246 Pƙed 2 lety +68

    This is a great video. I think it will be extremely useful to music theory beginners who just need some examples to make the concepts really click. One chord progression I am very surprised you didn't include is the classic country chord progression (I IV I V). It's wonderful writing ground, and I think that most people could identify it pretty quickly, even if they aren't familiar with music theory or composition.

    • @leeviajero2716
      @leeviajero2716 Pƙed 2 lety +2

      Ssshhh. If you told everyone they could write a song with simple chords, they just might. Downsides: We have heard them all before. Upsides: People might manage to utilize them to say something new and interesting. Yeah, it's a mixed bag.

    •  Pƙed 2 lety

      1964 was a great year for the Beatles! czcams.com/video/36yUuAPWXFA/video.html

  • @aaccca
    @aaccca Pƙed 2 lety

    This was one of the most helpful videos I’ve ever heard! Nicely done and so confident on its delivery! I’m your newest fan!

  • @motopaulo
    @motopaulo Pƙed rokem +2

    Thank you for this terrific explainer and demonstration! Great research and examples!

  • @flybynight0542
    @flybynight0542 Pƙed 2 lety +3

    Great job, keep it up man. You are helping me a lot to understand music theory.

  • @patepulkkinenvtec2403
    @patepulkkinenvtec2403 Pƙed 2 lety +5

    Great to hear Muse's Citizen Erased mentioned, it's a banger of a song.

  • @andrewjeffries8721
    @andrewjeffries8721 Pƙed 2 měsĂ­ci

    Wow, David! So many examples of the chord progressions that you bring to light! Awesome. Your videos are awesome. Thank you, David!

  • @katiukulele
    @katiukulele Pƙed rokem

    This video has been super helpful for me for an upcoming project of shorts I am working on! Thank you!

  • @robster7316
    @robster7316 Pƙed 2 lety +3

    Thanks you for this very helpful video, David. It consolidates many concepts and the song examples are wonderful at locking things in!

  • @lisa_gay
    @lisa_gay Pƙed 2 lety +3

    This is amazing! Thank you! I've always been fascinated by the math of music. You explain it so clearly!

  • @DSilverwood
    @DSilverwood Pƙed 6 měsĂ­ci

    David,
    Thank you for this wonderful explanation and demonstration of these chord progressions.

  • @Ant1matr
    @Ant1matr Pƙed rokem

    I watched this video, studied music theory for a couple months, then came back, and whoa it all makes sense now. I didn't pay attention as a saxophonist to a lot of the chord stuff, but I'm glad I picked it up now. Thanks for the video.

  • @joedurantguitar1447
    @joedurantguitar1447 Pƙed 2 lety +9

    It's occurred to me how well the 'Mixolydian Vamp' works for an epic climax. Hey Jude, One Day Like This, Sympathy For The Devil, and one that wasn't mentioned here: I Am The Resurrection. There's just something about it that being played on repeat indefinitely and always leave the audience wanting more.

    • @backslash68
      @backslash68 Pƙed 2 lety +1

      also the chorus of don't you (forget about me)

  • @jorgneumeier3027
    @jorgneumeier3027 Pƙed 2 lety +4

    Brilliant, nothing more to say, I really understand all that theoratical stuff. But now I can feel it much more, thank you very much and also for your other videos. Greetings from Augsburg

  • @robinsashley
    @robinsashley Pƙed rokem +1

    David, you unlock and then open so many doors with your work. Proud to be a sponsor ❀❀❀

  • @ZBisson
    @ZBisson Pƙed rokem +4

    I literally got an add for you in the middle of this.

  • @brownpunk1794
    @brownpunk1794 Pƙed 2 lety +3

    As someone with a learning disability i think u have made a video which makes sense...thank u..clearly u are meant to teach🙏🏿

  • @Action_Savage_
    @Action_Savage_ Pƙed 7 měsĂ­ci +1

    Dude, the flat 7 chord in the context of the last chord progression, just made things click in my brain. New song writing abilities unlocked. THANK YOU BRO!

  • @reptileman75
    @reptileman75 Pƙed 2 lety

    Great video! Thank you for taking the time to put it together.