How did you like the AI-generated fake famous composers? ;-) Videos on Beatles, Songwriting, Composing and Music Theory: ua-cam.com/video/GIV_JvgOgoE/v-deo.html
I thought something was off on that Beethoven portrait! But who was the 4th one to appear, on the upper left corner, supposed to be? It looked like an actor in a wig 😅
If they are supposed to represent The Beatles, and if so Paul McCartney is the left most, (Ringo on the right, George in the middle, and John sat behind the table), then one fairly large error..... Paul McCartney is left handed....... ;)
I cried out loud the first time I heard it. It was overwhelming. I'm 78, so the Beatles have been a part of my life for more than 50 years. I downloaded it. And keep coming back to listen when I can stand the sadness. ❤😢
I’m there w you. 69. 10 years old. Ed Sullivan show. Changed everything. It’s been quite a ride. Want another heartbreaker? Listen to this in headphones. Now and Then should have been produced this well. ua-cam.com/video/cOeCqr2hHoA/v-deo.htmlsi=n4hxKnQUpe6md8rR
Couldn’t agree more with everyone. The G Bm shift is the “killer” chord. I was just listening to Bob Dylan the other night, Stuck Inside of Mobile from Blonde on Blonde (in C) and when he moves to Em in the chorus it makes the hair on my arms stand up. It’s the same chord progression and although clearly I’m no music theorist Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Beatles and Dylan were on to something 😄🎸
Great explaination. That and seeing the younger Beatles in the video with their older selves is beyond emotional. And also that this really is the final chapter of this long, beautiful run of these four boys.
While listening I went in melancholy more than nostalgy, perhaps because Paul McCartney said Now and Then is for real the last Beatles track for good... And watching never-before-seen young Beatles in the video alongside the old ones, makes me stare stare at the horizon in silence just thinking about them.
You constantly refer to the Am to Em change in the first and second bar, but you ignore the change to the Fmaj chord in the sixth bar following the Am in the 5th bar. This then allows the resolution to the E chord for the 7th and 8th bar.
Fascinating! I love how people like yourself analyse the music by giving the chord progression an historical background. I’m sure John Lennon wasn’t deliberately thinking about that when he was writing the song but undoubtedly his ears would have absorbed many progressions and through his creativity his brain figured that this progression was best for the beautiful melody that he evolved. There is one chord , however , that I do question. Why write ‘Em/G when it is also correct simply to write G6? Thank you for a very interesting video!
Not that I k ow what I am talking about, but the /G emphasizes the fact that the chords role is supporting the descending base line. Also the order of the notes is different.
You are very welcome. I am glad you liked it! The difference between Em/G and G6 is that Em/G is an Em chord (e,g,b) with the minor 3rd (g) in the bass. G6 has the notes g-b-d-e. So its a G with an added 6th. When it comes to the sound, they are not that different. It's more about the structural value that you give to this Em/G chord and how you approach it. Em/G does sound more melancholic and minor oriented than G6.
So he didn’t reinvent a wheel with that song he just put in what he liked and made it work. This helps explain why all of the UA-cam reaction people end up crying it hit that nerve.
Very instructional video, thanks. It's doubtful that John would have known this as none of the beatles had a huge knowledge of musical theory. What they did have was one heck of an ear and John's was superb. You find that in really great songs where there are chords popped in which don't quite follow a standard sequence and if its done well it transforms a song. In John's Julia from the beatles the chords are all over the place. If you just strum those chords it will actually sound like dischord, yet some how he manages to make the song stunningly beautiful with them. John was primarily a guitarist so piano was somewhat secondary in his earlier days. Yoko had a huge influence here, her father was a concert pianist so she was knowledgeable about the instrument. She actually brought in Nicky Hopkins to beef up the piano parts on imagine. Only 3 years after the now and then demo, double fantasy came out, that was a very much a guitar based album as opposed to imagine say. What's also interesting is that now and then and free as a bird did not make the cut to be included on that album. This was probably because he was into more personal lyric driven songs by this stage.
Pretty sure they knew a thing or two about chord changes if not they wouldn't have been able to make that many good songs in such a short span of time.
@@blankyd3360 They definitely did. That would be the circle of fifths. I don't know if you know what that is or not but it's basically exactly what you described. Which chords go together.
With regard to your comment about Free As A Bird and Now & Then not making the cut on Double Fantasy, I don't believe Lennon thought that they were not worthy of inclusion. It would simply have been been his insistence on giving Yoko her standard wailing time on the album - much to the chagrin of real music lovers.
Thanks for music lesson. Bit of a plank myself with theory, etc, but managed to take it on board although subconsciously and without realising, I have always known it and felt it when playing. Nice work though.
uh.... it's just 6 to 5 to 4 with added 6s. Am, G6 (or Em/G if you prefer), F6 (or Dm/F if you prefer). Prob best way to interpret it is this: Am to Em to Dm but on Em and Dm have the bass go to G and F which are the minor 3rds of Em and Dm respectively. half empty, half full... having the low note become the minor 3rd of chords 2 and 3 is prob why it's so sad because that note is highlighted. my thoughts.
Brilliant Teaching, Can feel the same passion for music in this tutorial that the Beatles felt. I love the term "Andalusian Cadence", it's really interesting to me, as I have always felt the Beatles have an element of Spanish and latin american music and culture in their DNA.
John Lennon's secret weapon was the "middle 8" - that sudden and unexpected outpouring of emotion that sums up the entire sing in a new perspective. McCartney was never quite able to latch onto it although Lennon helped him out with it as early as "I Saw Her Standing There" and as late as "Day in the Life" where Paul's contribution mysteriously works in that way so well. "Day in the Life" becomes possibly the greatest of all Lennon/McCartney collaborations. AI has no chance of repeating or carrying on the Beatles' magic. How do you induce emotion in a robot?
Thanks for this video! I know nothing about music composition and couldn't recognize an E minor chord if you put a gun to my head, but my friend Patrick does, and he'd love both this video and your channel. I've already shared this video with him.
@@LearningMusicSkills Sorry for the delayed response; I didn't see that you'd responded until just now. No, I don't play an instrument, but I play the hell our of Spotify! I shared your video with my friend and he loved it!
This video makes me sad for the facy that I know Paul will never play a show in my country, Turkey. I just consider myself EXTREMELY lucky that I was able to see him live for 15-20 minutes back in 2013 when he did a surprise set on Times Square for the album "New". It was my first day in New York as a tourist and thinking about it still gives me shivers down my spine.
Wait: what’s the keyboard below your desk, and what’s the desk? I need this set up, please. Appreciate your careful, thoughtful instruction. Certainly a good part of the sentiment is attributable to the vocal color and character. I also hear Yoko’s voice in (what might be) the chorus. It’s a warble, or something similar. Thoughts?
I remember when Real Love came out--i walked with my discman to buy the CD when they opened, then listened to the song all the way to campus, then i skipped class to go find a piano because i just HAD to play it right away. It's heartwarming to see that eagerness from someone else... this was a great upload, thank you! :)
The question must be asked why did John not record "Now and then" on his final album "Double fantasy" released in 1980? Could the reason be that John thought that song along with "Free as a bird" and "Real love" were not up to his standards?
Agree. John recorded so many songs for Double fantasy that many were left off for another album called Milk and Honey in 1984. Yet he never revisted songs like "Now and then" "Free as a bird" and "Real love"written in the late 70s. Just wondering what his attitude to those songs were in 1980 not to record them.@@wodrummerworld
@@LearningMusicSkillsare the chords in the final version played by Paul the same as what John played on the original demo? To my ears, Paul seems to have made subtle changes but I don’t know.
The lament bass was not a chord progression but more a bass line that could be harmonized differently. At least in the baroque era they didn't really think in terms of chords. The Andalusian Cadence has a parallel fifth when going from i to VIIb so I think the second chord would always have been em over G or am over G but not G directly. Since I got to know the Lament Bass, I have trouble improvising over something else, at some time I will always fall back to it because it's so addicting... ❤ A very beautiful example is Pachebels Chaconne in f minor.
I think Paul may have used this progression or was inspired by what he heard John record in his tune "I Don't Know" (Egypt Station). It's apparent to me in the opening piano piece "I Don't Know." I'm wondering what you who know music theory might think.
The song doesn't make the full descent that you describe, except in the final flourish. For most of the song, the first two lines stop at the G and the third line omits the G.
Thank you so much. Your studio table that you sit with during this recording. Is that a homemade or did you buy it from a company? If so, which company did the table for you?
I wrote a song years ago with the same starting chords, Am to a Em/G. Just shows that you can only do so much with 12 notes. No one is original, ideas always come from somewhere.
Music education is not always formal in school/college stuff. The Beatles were very talented and obviously had an extensive understanding of music theory and practice.
Thx very much. Great introduction to Lament Bass. Very useful to see you can flip all position between major and minor variants. I did already work a lot with the Andalusian cadence. This multiplies my options. The Lovin’ Spoonful did also find a very creative chord progression for the Lament Bass in Summer in the City.
The Wikipedia page for 'lament bass' lists 37 musical works featuring it, both with and without chromatic semitones (8 of them are Beatles songs, 7 are by classical composers).
… as a German Biologist - This is about John Lennon - who became a sacrificed Messiah that makes anything sacred he ever did if a no name Musician would create that not 1 person would ever listen to that getting sued for plagiating stuff that nobody ever owns
Don’t be silly, John Lennon was an ordinary person nothing special not a messiah or a sacrifice just a man. So he wrote songs, a lot of people write songs all the Beatles wrote songs. The songs are crap as is the new one just marketed well as the band was. Nothing special about them or the music so get over it.
I appreciate the technical explanation but without the history of the Beatles, and the fact that half of the Beatles are no longer with us, this song wouldn't be that emotional.
Yes I did that was very interesting ,all music I a copy of some very very old music examples Led Zeppelin stairway to heaven their is 100 new music because it’s all been around for 100 and00s of years just with the new twist. Thank you for your work appreciate it. Thoroughly interesting.
There's been so many songs written at this point, every chord progression has been played by someone, or 1000 people previously. The Beatles knew some music theory but i don't think John Lennon was that deep into theory. I think he played more by feel, practice and working the songs out. He knew what he wanted the song to sound like and he just worked out the chords through trial and error. Paul and George may have knew a little more than him it would seem. But even they i believe had limited knowledge at the time when they wrote most of their hits. They probably knew the circle of fifths, what chords go together. That will get you pretty far for the type of music they wrote.
Exactly this. I imagine (pardon the pun) John sitting and noodling for hours, just experimenting with different chord progressions without the restrictions of theory.
Having an “ear” for these odd chords and transitional chords was something they all three seemed to have a gift for. As a for instance, if you listen to George Harrison’s “Beware of Darkness” you can’t help but be amazed at the unusual musicality it exhibits as it switches from major to minor chords. John Lennon’s “Strawberry Fields” is an example of a similar construction. It’s a combination of both odd and traditional melodic phrasing….very different.
Strange so many people want to say the Beatles were not very musically educated. It’s obvious they were. Knowledge of theory doesn’t interfere with creativity as some people also like to infer. All possible combinations of notes for chords have already been used since the introduction of the well tempered scale using 12 tones. Extra dissonant notes have been added to chords since jazz developed. The Beatles were well aware of that and did it. There is nothing odd about seemingly breaking rules. There are no rules unless you believe there are.
Very interesting but I’m pretty sure the Beatles had no clue about theory. Their amazing catalog of songs, many being hits, were, I do believe, created all by feel. They leave their works for the scholars to figure out theoretically. I’m a simple man so I go with feel but of course I applaud those who really know their “stuff”. 🎶🎶
Similar progression especially first. Chords ..same as Lennons though Genesis starts in C#- …good call. Many too Many was 1st Genesis song I learned to play on piano…as it was relatively simple compared to say Firth of Fifth…lol
Hey Paul, yeah I am 100% it's correct. A G6 chord would imply the notes G-B-D-E, but I really do not hear the D note being played in the final version. The chord sounds much cleaner because from what I can hear the piano plays G-B-E. In the demo the D is played as part of the piano melody though. And an interesting thing is that the notes of G6 and Em7/G are the same: G-B-D-E. So ultimately you cannot go that wrong. But I firmly believe it is Em/G. G6 sounds to lush Em/G sounds more minor. Hope that helps!
Also for example in Hook theory they do mention it as G6 but in the roman numerals they write v6/5 which means Em7/G (which is G-B-D-E). But Still I don't hear the D in the piano if you ask me. (www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/the-beatles/now-and-then)
I don't think there is anything special about this song EXCEPT the name Beatles on it. And I used to run out and buy the new Beatles singles as soon as I heard a snatch of one on a radio somewhere. The Beatles have a new single! Walk two miles to the record store, now! I remember walking home with "Hey, Jude" in my hands, admiring the Apple logo. Entranced.
But if I die See the saga through and do the things you ask of me Let them hate me, hit me, hurt me, nail me to their tree… “Gethsemane” - JC Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Webber
Thanks for this excellent explanation😎👌 Now And Then is eerily similar to ‘If I Take You Home Tonight’ a McCartney song covered by Diana Krall - check it out. Something reminiscent too from the feel of Dark Side Of The Moon .
Thank you and you're welcome! I will check out the song, I am not familiar with it, but I am a fan of PF and the dark side of the moon so it can't go wrong there.
Pachelbel's canon chords have been stolen for years in pop songs, such as When a Man Loves a Women.the public is fooled into thinking "oh, it's new song" everytime. Of course the melody is different but the chord progression is the same, nothing new under the sun. And don't get me started on every blues song lol. They all start with "Well I woke up this mornin' "....😂. then there's Taco Bel's cannon. that usually fires after eating too many burritos...
Here is the point that everyone misses. Song writers and hit makers use these scales. Let's write a song for Britney or whoever. There is nothing new or original in these scales and chord progressions. The genius is in the melody over it all. If you don't have it, you can't fake it.
Wherever you recorded this video may be haunted. At about 2:20 there is a visible orb stage left. Maybe you should contact Zak Bagans of Ghost Adventures. Talk about haunting melodies. This is not a joke.
Thank you for your videos ! Always clear and very interesting. I also like the support with the music sheet and chord explanation. The song makes me remind this one, you may like it also : Monteverdi Lamento della ninfa ua-cam.com/video/DNemFhYsWRs/v-deo.html I'm currently exploring the same path as you, exploring old baroque chord progression such as the circle of fifth Best
How did you like the AI-generated fake famous composers? ;-)
Videos on Beatles, Songwriting, Composing and Music Theory:
ua-cam.com/video/GIV_JvgOgoE/v-deo.html
Awful and soulless. like Everything that A.I. creates.
@Atlas65 haha they are quite horrible aren't they 😂 I was expecting more comments about how silly they look
I thought something was off on that Beethoven portrait! But who was the 4th one to appear, on the upper left corner, supposed to be? It looked like an actor in a wig 😅
To be honest I don't know. It should have been Purcell, but it doesn't really look like any composer I know. 😅
If they are supposed to represent The Beatles, and if so Paul McCartney is the left most, (Ringo on the right, George in the middle, and John sat behind the table), then one fairly large error..... Paul McCartney is left handed....... ;)
I cried out loud the first time I heard it. It was overwhelming. I'm 78, so the Beatles have been a part of my life for more than 50 years. I downloaded it. And keep coming back to listen when I can stand the sadness. ❤😢
I’m there w you. 69. 10 years old. Ed Sullivan show. Changed everything. It’s been quite a ride. Want another heartbreaker? Listen to this in headphones. Now and Then should have been produced this well. ua-cam.com/video/cOeCqr2hHoA/v-deo.htmlsi=n4hxKnQUpe6md8rR
For me the most important part in the song is when change to Bm, this is pure Lennon, this unexpected change is wonderful.
I agree with you.
The minor 3rd. My favorite moment too!
There’s a better change to Fminor that they had to leave out for lyrical reasons.
Couldn’t agree more with everyone. The G Bm shift is the “killer” chord. I was just listening to Bob Dylan the other night, Stuck Inside of Mobile from Blonde on Blonde (in C) and when he moves to Em in the chorus it makes the hair on my arms stand up. It’s the same chord progression and although clearly I’m no music theorist Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Beatles and Dylan were on to something 😄🎸
when is this in the song?
Great explaination. That and seeing the younger Beatles in the video with their older selves is beyond emotional. And also that this really is the final chapter of this long, beautiful run of these four boys.
While listening I went in melancholy more than nostalgy, perhaps because Paul McCartney said Now and Then is for real the last Beatles track for good... And watching never-before-seen young Beatles in the video alongside the old ones, makes me stare stare at the horizon in silence just thinking about them.
The cool thing about this song is you could include While My Guitar Gently Weeps in a medely with it.
Wonderful observation
Your video is just spot on. When listening to that song for the 1st time, I felt really moved but didn't dig into it further. Real eye-ear opener.
Cheers to that!
You constantly refer to the Am to Em change in the first and second bar, but you ignore the change to the Fmaj chord in the sixth bar following the Am in the 5th bar. This then allows the resolution to the E chord for the 7th and 8th bar.
This is wonderful! Thank you for sharing!❤
You are welcome!
Fascinating! I love how people like yourself analyse the music by giving the chord progression an historical background. I’m sure John Lennon wasn’t deliberately thinking about that when he was writing the song but undoubtedly his ears would have absorbed many progressions and through his creativity his brain figured that this progression was best for the beautiful melody that he evolved.
There is one chord , however , that I do question. Why write ‘Em/G when it is also correct simply to write G6?
Thank you for a very interesting video!
Not that I k ow what I am talking about, but the /G emphasizes the fact that the chords role is supporting the descending base line. Also the order of the notes is different.
You are very welcome. I am glad you liked it!
The difference between Em/G and G6 is that Em/G is an Em chord (e,g,b) with the minor 3rd (g) in the bass.
G6 has the notes g-b-d-e. So its a G with an added 6th. When it comes to the sound, they are not that different. It's more about the structural value that you give to this Em/G chord and how you approach it. Em/G does sound more melancholic and minor oriented than G6.
What a lovely analysis. Much appreciated. John's voice is so lovely in this. How lucky we are that they did this.
So he didn’t reinvent a wheel with that song he just put in what he liked and made it work. This helps explain why all of the UA-cam reaction people end up crying it hit that nerve.
Just found your channel and love the content ! New subscriber !
Thank you! It is amazing to hear that you like the videos!
Beautifully presented and explained. Thank you.
Very instructional video, thanks. It's doubtful that John would have known this as none of the beatles had a huge knowledge of musical theory. What they did have was one heck of an ear and John's was superb. You find that in really great songs where there are chords popped in which don't quite follow a standard sequence and if its done well it transforms a song. In John's Julia from the beatles the chords are all over the place. If you just strum those chords it will actually sound like dischord, yet some how he manages to make the song stunningly beautiful with them. John was primarily a guitarist so piano was somewhat secondary in his earlier days. Yoko had a huge influence here, her father was a concert pianist so she was knowledgeable about the instrument. She actually brought in Nicky Hopkins to beef up the piano parts on imagine. Only 3 years after the now and then demo, double fantasy came out, that was a very much a guitar based album as opposed to imagine say. What's also interesting is that now and then and free as a bird did not make the cut to be included on that album. This was probably because he was into more personal lyric driven songs by this stage.
True, but George Martin did.
Pretty sure they knew a thing or two about chord changes if not they wouldn't have been able to make that many good songs in such a short span of time.
@@blankyd3360 They definitely did. That would be the circle of fifths. I don't know if you know what that is or not but it's basically exactly what you described. Which chords go together.
Patrick, 'Julia' is stunningly beautiful, as you say.
With regard to your comment about Free As A Bird and Now & Then not making the cut on Double Fantasy, I don't believe Lennon thought that they were not worthy of inclusion. It would simply have been been his insistence on giving Yoko her standard wailing time on the album - much to the chagrin of real music lovers.
Very interesting, thanks. In my head I started hearing The Four Tops' "Bernadette", The Turtles' "Happy Together", and a slew of others!
Very interesting, very instructive and very well explained. Thanks!
Thank you Mike and you're most welcome. What can I say.. it's a beautiful song!
Thanks for music lesson. Bit of a plank myself with theory, etc, but managed to take it on board although subconsciously and without realising, I have always known it and felt it when playing.
Nice work though.
At the end of the day that's exactly what music theory is for. Using it knowingly or subconsciously to make good music.
uh.... it's just 6 to 5 to 4 with added 6s. Am, G6 (or Em/G if you prefer), F6 (or Dm/F if you prefer). Prob best way to interpret it is this: Am to Em to Dm but on Em and Dm have the bass go to G and F which are the minor 3rds of Em and Dm respectively. half empty, half full... having the low note become the minor 3rd of chords 2 and 3 is prob why it's so sad because that note is highlighted. my thoughts.
Great analysis. I find it quite eye opening. Thank you for sharing this.
Brilliant Teaching, Can feel the same passion for music in this tutorial that the Beatles felt. I love the term "Andalusian Cadence", it's really interesting to me, as I have always felt the Beatles have an element of Spanish and latin american music and culture in their DNA.
Thank you very much!!
John Lennon's secret weapon was the "middle 8" - that sudden and unexpected outpouring of emotion that sums up the entire sing in a new perspective. McCartney was never quite able to latch onto it although Lennon helped him out with it as early as "I Saw Her Standing There" and as late as "Day in the Life" where Paul's contribution mysteriously works in that way so well. "Day in the Life" becomes possibly the greatest of all Lennon/McCartney collaborations. AI has no chance of repeating or carrying on the Beatles' magic. How do you induce emotion in a robot?
Why does the last song 'Now and Then' by The Beatles sound so emotional and touching? Because it is semotional and touching!
That was a super interesting video. Thank you so much for sharing it. Tremendously clear instruction. Fabulous!
Thanks a lot Steve and you're welcome!
True masterpiece 👌
Thanks for this video! I know nothing about music composition and couldn't recognize an E minor chord if you put a gun to my head, but my friend Patrick does, and he'd love both this video and your channel. I've already shared this video with him.
Thank you for sharing it! I really appreciate it and am glad the video was interesting😃. Do you have experience playing an instrument or something?
@@LearningMusicSkills Sorry for the delayed response; I didn't see that you'd responded until just now. No, I don't play an instrument, but I play the hell our of Spotify! I shared your video with my friend and he loved it!
Really enjoyed this. Thanks for doing it.
You're welcome and thank you for sharing that with me.
This video makes me sad for the facy that I know Paul will never play a show in my country, Turkey.
I just consider myself EXTREMELY lucky that I was able to see him live for 15-20 minutes back in 2013 when he did a surprise set on Times Square for the album "New". It was my first day in New York as a tourist and thinking about it still gives me shivers down my spine.
Wait: what’s the keyboard below your desk, and what’s the desk? I need this set up, please. Appreciate your careful, thoughtful instruction. Certainly a good part of the sentiment is attributable to the vocal color and character. I also hear Yoko’s voice in (what might be) the chorus. It’s a warble, or something similar. Thoughts?
Nicely done. John Cena's entrance music that is heard during pro wrestlin' shows uses the lament bass as well...
Just as a footnote, you don't need the word "why" after referring to a Reason for, well, anything. ("The reason I made this video...," etc.)
I remember when Real Love came out--i walked with my discman to buy the CD when they opened, then listened to the song all the way to campus, then i skipped class to go find a piano because i just HAD to play it right away. It's heartwarming to see that eagerness from someone else... this was a great upload, thank you! :)
Your chord progression analysis also reminded me of Cat Stevens - Wild World.
Well done!⚡️
The question must be asked why did John not record "Now and then" on his final album "Double fantasy" released in 1980? Could the reason be that John thought that song along with "Free as a bird" and "Real love" were not up to his standards?
Could it be that he didn't know that that would be his final album?😔
Agree. John recorded so many songs for Double fantasy that many were left off for another album called Milk and Honey in 1984. Yet he never revisted songs like "Now and then" "Free as a bird" and "Real love"written in the late 70s. Just wondering what his attitude to those songs were in 1980 not to record them.@@wodrummerworld
Perfect!
Great. Gracias
John's piano performance is not in the final product. They probably used the same chords though.
It would have been really interesting though if they were able to use the old piano from the demo.
@@LearningMusicSkillsare the chords in the final version played by Paul the same as what John played on the original demo? To my ears, Paul seems to have made subtle changes but I don’t know.
@@dan2050Yes, the piano was rerecorded. Paul played the piano in the recording.
Great explanation.
The lament bass was not a chord progression but more a bass line that could be harmonized differently. At least in the baroque era they didn't really think in terms of chords. The Andalusian Cadence has a parallel fifth when going from i to VIIb so I think the second chord would always have been em over G or am over G but not G directly.
Since I got to know the Lament Bass, I have trouble improvising over something else, at some time I will always fall back to it because it's so addicting... ❤
A very beautiful example is Pachebels Chaconne in f minor.
It's very addictive indeed. Also, it's very intuitive to improvise to!
I think Paul may have used this progression or was inspired by what he heard John record in his tune "I Don't Know" (Egypt Station). It's apparent to me in the opening piano piece "I Don't Know." I'm wondering what you who know music theory might think.
The change to Fmaj7 adds a little bluesy touch, doesn't it?
The Fmaj7 sounds so colourful and lush. Of course that's what maj7 chords are known for :-) (depending on the context)
I love this last Beatles song. I’m no musician but this song somehow reminds me of Beethovens Moonlight Sonata !4.
John used a variation of this chord progression for I’ll Be Back.
Am-G6-FMaj7-E-A
Cheers to Picardy
The song doesn't make the full descent that you describe, except in the final flourish. For most of the song, the first two lines stop at the G and the third line omits the G.
Thank you so much. Your studio table that you sit with during this recording. Is that a homemade or did you buy it from a company? If so, which company did the table for you?
You're very welcome! I'm glad you liked it 🙂. The desk is indeed home made. But it's very basic and didn't cost much.
Listen to "around the clock news" from the Arrival movie soundtrack. Similar chord progressions are heard on this track.
Interesting, I really enjoyed the eerie and sometimes uncomfortable music. It suited the movie well.
i cry when i hear this song because it is the LAST ONE forever
I wrote a song years ago with the same starting chords, Am to a Em/G. Just shows that you can only do so much with 12 notes. No one is original, ideas always come from somewhere.
Intéressant cette vidéo !
Merci!
Very similar to Handel’s De Torrente in Via Bibet
Music education is not always formal in school/college stuff. The Beatles were very talented and obviously had an extensive understanding of music theory and practice.
Fun fact: None of the Beatles could read music. Which makes their body of works all the more impressive!
Thx very much. Great introduction to Lament Bass. Very useful to see you can flip all position between major and minor variants. I did already work a lot with the Andalusian cadence. This multiplies my options. The Lovin’ Spoonful did also find a very creative chord progression for the Lament Bass in Summer in the City.
A lamento bass is usually going down chromatically from the tonic to the dominant (imho)
The Wikipedia page for 'lament bass' lists 37 musical works featuring it, both with and without chromatic semitones (8 of them are Beatles songs, 7 are by classical composers).
On the second chord, it's not Emin but G6.
Lol…u say G 6…classical peeps say Emin 1st inversion…same sh*t
@@jayclarke5466 take a look on the record session, George and Paul play G6 not Emin.
… as a German Biologist -
This is about John Lennon -
who became a sacrificed Messiah
that makes anything sacred he ever did
if a no name Musician would create that
not 1 person would ever listen to that
getting sued for plagiating stuff
that nobody ever owns
Don’t be silly, John Lennon was an ordinary person nothing special not a messiah or a sacrifice just a man. So he wrote songs, a lot of people write songs all the Beatles wrote songs. The songs are crap as is the new one just marketed well as the band was. Nothing special about them or the music so get over it.
@@garethde-witt6433
I am Silly!
YOU are a Truth Warrior!
Fight the Holy War!
@@garethde-witt6433 🤡
3:21 Hit the Road Jack (Ray Charles)
I appreciate the technical explanation but without the history of the Beatles, and the fact that half of the Beatles are no longer with us, this song wouldn't be that emotional.
Sooo.. use G to Am?
Why not call the second chord G6 rather than Em/G? Especially since you are focusing on the bass line.
Why was it marred by taking out the verse which gave the song more fragility?
I like the 1964-version (by KI)
I was waiting for the classical pieces and old Beatles songs you said used the progression. This video feels incomplete.
4:41
Yes I did that was very interesting ,all music I a copy of some very very old music examples Led Zeppelin stairway to heaven their is 100 new music because it’s all been around for 100 and00s of years just with the new twist. Thank you for your work appreciate it. Thoroughly interesting.
There's been so many songs written at this point, every chord progression has been played by someone, or 1000 people previously. The Beatles knew some music theory but i don't think John Lennon was that deep into theory. I think he played more by feel, practice and working the songs out. He knew what he wanted the song to sound like and he just worked out the chords through trial and error. Paul and George may have knew a little more than him it would seem. But even they i believe had limited knowledge at the time when they wrote most of their hits. They probably knew the circle of fifths, what chords go together. That will get you pretty far for the type of music they wrote.
Exactly this. I imagine (pardon the pun) John sitting and noodling for hours, just experimenting with different chord progressions without the restrictions of theory.
Having an “ear” for these odd chords and transitional chords was something they all three seemed to have a gift for.
As a for instance, if you listen to George Harrison’s “Beware of Darkness” you can’t help but be amazed at the unusual musicality it exhibits as it switches from major to minor chords.
John Lennon’s “Strawberry Fields” is an example of a similar construction. It’s a combination of both odd and traditional melodic phrasing….very different.
Strange so many people want to say the Beatles were not very musically educated. It’s obvious they were. Knowledge of theory doesn’t interfere with creativity as some people also like to infer. All possible combinations of notes for chords have already been used since the introduction of the well tempered scale using 12 tones. Extra dissonant notes have been added to chords since jazz developed. The Beatles were well aware of that and did it. There is nothing odd about seemingly breaking rules. There are no rules unless you believe there are.
Yet they weren’t musically educated
@@davidrivett7603 when did they study music?
the e minor should have done a half step down maming it a major. like the radiohead song "exit song"
Very interesting but I’m pretty sure the Beatles had no clue about theory. Their amazing catalog of songs, many being hits, were, I do believe, created all by feel. They leave their works for the scholars to figure out theoretically. I’m a simple man so I go with feel but of course I applaud those who really know their “stuff”. 🎶🎶
Great comment and I agree with you
A mí me impresiona la parte del solo que va de un Dm a C dos veces y cuando entra el Em me enchina la piel. Aparte toda la canción es nostalgia pura.
Something about the first piano chords reminds me of Genesis’ “Many Too Many”. Anyone else hear it?
I know "many to many" but no, i don't hear this similarity
Similar progression especially first. Chords ..same as Lennons though Genesis starts in C#- …good call.
Many too Many was 1st Genesis song I learned to play on piano…as it was relatively simple compared to say Firth of Fifth…lol
@@jayclarke5466 Thanks for that comment!
Hello. I think it's G6 and not Em/G
If you dont do it, sombody else will do….fantastic…of course the reason why music always will develop…..
1:00 look at all that antiquitech
The most emotional part is the chord with the seventh, C-B
You sure that is right as everyone else is saying that it is Am - G6 - Am - G6
Hey Paul, yeah I am 100% it's correct. A G6 chord would imply the notes G-B-D-E, but I really do not hear the D note being played in the final version. The chord sounds much cleaner because from what I can hear the piano plays G-B-E. In the demo the D is played as part of the piano melody though.
And an interesting thing is that the notes of G6 and Em7/G are the same: G-B-D-E. So ultimately you cannot go that wrong. But I firmly believe it is Em/G. G6 sounds to lush Em/G sounds more minor.
Hope that helps!
Also for example in Hook theory they do mention it as G6 but in the roman numerals they write v6/5 which means Em7/G (which is G-B-D-E). But Still I don't hear the D in the piano if you ask me. (www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/the-beatles/now-and-then)
Actually, these are the chords played by Paul. John's progression on his demo cassette is quite different.
It’s not that much different…
@@zetmoon to the untrained ear.
@@tomford8286 mmmm, I’m a professional musician, teacher and piano tuner!
“Untrained ear”…..🤣😳🤣😳🤣
All those credentials and you still failed? You should be embarrassed.@@zetmoon
@@tomford8286 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I don't think there is anything special about this song EXCEPT the name Beatles on it. And I used to run out and buy the new Beatles singles as soon as I heard a snatch of one on a radio somewhere. The Beatles have a new single! Walk two miles to the record store, now! I remember walking home with "Hey, Jude" in my hands, admiring the Apple logo. Entranced.
But if I die
See the saga through and do the things you ask of me
Let them hate me, hit me, hurt me, nail me to their tree…
“Gethsemane” - JC Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Webber
Know about this progression for years but never knew it was called lament bass. Wonder how and when that name came about. Will have to look it up.
It is a pretty good song,not great and not terrible.Great video!
Lennon refered to some Beatles songs as a 'Formula ' song. I'd say that this would be one of them. It reminds me of Things We Said Today.
Things We Said Today is a Paul song but more importantly it's a proper Beatles song. The Now and Then trash is a John Lennon solo demo.
@@cmonman3639Feel better?
@@sableonblonde1973 Your comment is as bad as Now and Then.
Thanks for this excellent explanation😎👌 Now And Then is eerily similar to ‘If I Take You Home Tonight’ a McCartney song covered by Diana Krall - check it out. Something reminiscent too from the feel of Dark Side Of The Moon .
Thank you and you're welcome! I will check out the song, I am not familiar with it, but I am a fan of PF and the dark side of the moon so it can't go wrong there.
‘If I Take You Home Tonight’ is a well crafted song, but is a completely different construction site compared to 'Now And Then' in my opinion.
@@zmpfl5044 similar feel.
This know how, came from their earliest collaboration with George Martin.....A classical arranger, years before his Beatles era.
To me it sounds better playing Am-G6 instead of Am-Em
So John wasn't thinking....his brain figured out.....Wow.😂😂
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
There is a reason why it was not included in his albums after the Beatles broke up.
Pachelbel's canon chords have been stolen for years in pop songs, such as When a Man Loves a Women.the public is fooled into thinking "oh, it's new song" everytime. Of course the melody is different but the chord progression is the same, nothing new under the sun. And don't get me started on every blues song lol. They all start with "Well I woke up this mornin' "....😂. then there's Taco Bel's cannon. that usually fires after eating too many burritos...
The demo is much more emotional than the official release.
True that.
I know a lot of people say this. Often demo version of tracks are more raw and real in that sense
George said it was garbage... I agree.
Here is the point that everyone misses. Song writers and hit makers use these scales. Let's write a song for Britney or whoever. There is nothing new or original in these scales and chord progressions. The genius is in the melody over it all. If you don't have it, you can't fake it.
Dutch!
It was not a finished piece, he made a tape and put it aside, no one knows what it would have ended up sounding like. All John's songs were emotional.
James Paul McCartney died in car crash on September 11 1966 and was replaced by William (Billy). This is the truth no matter what!
The only emotion I feel is boredom. It doesn't go anywhere and is dreary AF.
❤❤❤❤😥😥
Wherever you recorded this video may be haunted.
At about 2:20 there is a visible orb stage left.
Maybe you should contact Zak Bagans of Ghost Adventures.
Talk about haunting melodies. This is not a joke.
Thank you for your videos ! Always clear and very interesting. I also like the support with the music sheet and chord explanation.
The song makes me remind this one, you may like it also : Monteverdi Lamento della ninfa
ua-cam.com/video/DNemFhYsWRs/v-deo.html
I'm currently exploring the same path as you, exploring old baroque chord progression such as the circle of fifth
Best
Maybe it’s emotional because it’s dedicated their dead friends…. Maybe that’s why
It sounds so emotional because it's being marketed as the "last Beatles song." And all the Beatles fans are having a good cry over it.