7 super common chord progressions and why they work

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  • Опубліковано 27 кві 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 🎼
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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 🎹
    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

КОМЕНТАРІ • 2,7 тис.

  • @DavidBennettPiano
    @DavidBennettPiano  2 роки тому +210

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

    • @nethercreature1624
      @nethercreature1624 2 роки тому +8

      Pancakes or waffles?

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  2 роки тому +14

      @@nethercreature1624 pancakes

    • @nethercreature1624
      @nethercreature1624 2 роки тому +6

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

    • @aylbdrmadison1051
      @aylbdrmadison1051 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому

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

  • @mikaoleander
    @mikaoleander 2 роки тому +2117

    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 2 роки тому +14

      Totes.

    • @lucasratti
      @lucasratti 2 роки тому +12

      Facts

    • @oblivionpro69
      @oblivionpro69 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +22

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

  • @shvgvrqv6888
    @shvgvrqv6888 2 роки тому +273

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

  • @marcelo_afonso
    @marcelo_afonso Рік тому +906

    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 Рік тому +4

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

    • @mfrench711
      @mfrench711 Рік тому +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 Рік тому +1

      Agree

    • @colleenprinssen
      @colleenprinssen Рік тому +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 Рік тому +1

      @@mfrench711 What didn't you understand?

  • @knuteboy3778
    @knuteboy3778 Рік тому +147

    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 4 місяці тому +1

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

  • @moko8237
    @moko8237 2 роки тому +1817

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

  • @jonnyboi2967
    @jonnyboi2967 2 роки тому +1887

    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  2 роки тому +81

      😊

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  2 роки тому +81

      Thanks!

    • @stevesobot5372
      @stevesobot5372 2 роки тому +15

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

    • @johnny_w_morris
      @johnny_w_morris 2 роки тому +5

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

    • @moose6781
      @moose6781 2 роки тому +16

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

  • @andystephens8048
    @andystephens8048 Рік тому +40

    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.

  • @iandavies7991
    @iandavies7991 Рік тому +82

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

    • @rashotcake6945
      @rashotcake6945 Рік тому +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 7 місяців тому

      @@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 Місяць тому

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

  • @angielo8515
    @angielo8515 2 роки тому +760

    “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 Рік тому +13

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

    • @noriaki.shinya
      @noriaki.shinya 10 місяців тому

    • @bobf5360
      @bobf5360 5 місяців тому

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

  • @rome8180
    @rome8180 2 роки тому +297

    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 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +10

      Could do a whole clip on that

    • @MarksUkuleleTips
      @MarksUkuleleTips 2 роки тому +29

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

    • @lannyfuller8367
      @lannyfuller8367 2 роки тому +7

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

    • @nwimpney
      @nwimpney 2 роки тому +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.

  • @daveschachne
    @daveschachne Рік тому +137

    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 Рік тому +1

      I love 1645!!

    • @OlYables
      @OlYables 11 місяців тому +3

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

    • @frankjuggaloheathen1035
      @frankjuggaloheathen1035 10 місяців тому

      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 9 місяців тому +1

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

    • @thenoseguy
      @thenoseguy 9 місяців тому

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

  • @lebronzejames9738
    @lebronzejames9738 Рік тому +59

    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!

  • @wailshark
    @wailshark 2 роки тому +212

    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 2 роки тому +10

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

    • @DMSProduktions
      @DMSProduktions 2 роки тому +2

      @@MisterL777 ACDC!

    • @johnny_w_morris
      @johnny_w_morris 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +5

      That flat major 7 is all over classic rock.

    • @seejayjames
      @seejayjames 2 роки тому +2

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

  • @Neoverse105
    @Neoverse105 2 роки тому +648

    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 2 роки тому +21

      I clicked translate to english and it still has roman numerals? UA-cam translate is broken.

    • @Mabbdaa
      @Mabbdaa 2 роки тому +21

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

    • @bobdobbs7828
      @bobdobbs7828 2 роки тому +4

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

    • @Mabbdaa
      @Mabbdaa 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +3

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

  • @rossstewart9475
    @rossstewart9475 Рік тому +35

    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.

  • @SunshineMix101
    @SunshineMix101 Рік тому +28

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

  • @matrixphijr
    @matrixphijr 2 роки тому +243

    '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 2 роки тому +6

      Wow I never realised that!

    • @drawntothefire
      @drawntothefire 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому

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

    • @marlithornton7530
      @marlithornton7530 2 роки тому

      @@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 2 роки тому

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

  • @jamescree6732
    @jamescree6732 2 роки тому +223

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

  • @jessicalee333
    @jessicalee333 5 місяців тому +3

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

  • @davidnotonstinnett
    @davidnotonstinnett Рік тому +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.

  • @Rome.Monroe
    @Rome.Monroe 2 роки тому +168

    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 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +2

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

    • @robharris6874
      @robharris6874 2 роки тому +1

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

    • @Tsskyx
      @Tsskyx 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +6

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

  • @samuelmarger9031
    @samuelmarger9031 2 роки тому +62

    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 2 роки тому

      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 2 роки тому

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

    • @NeminemMashups
      @NeminemMashups День тому

      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. ua-cam.com/video/Yds95Pbsx5k/v-deo.html (though I like my more recent circle of 5ths progression compilation mashup even more. :))

  • @blerst7066
    @blerst7066 Рік тому +26

    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.

  • @alexdelarge8772
    @alexdelarge8772 Рік тому +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!

  • @gwalla
    @gwalla 2 роки тому +64

    Honorable mention to the Ōdō 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 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +8

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

    • @eloiseripley
      @eloiseripley 2 роки тому

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

  • @jesperv.laustsen4923
    @jesperv.laustsen4923 2 роки тому +19

    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 2 роки тому +1

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

  • @augustdaye2746
    @augustdaye2746 Рік тому +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 Рік тому +2

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

    • @arnold08
      @arnold08 Рік тому +1

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

  • @amybradley2514
    @amybradley2514 Рік тому +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.

  • @thebestcc12
    @thebestcc12 2 роки тому +67

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

  • @Luxalpa
    @Luxalpa 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому

      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 2 роки тому

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

    • @MisterL777
      @MisterL777 2 роки тому

      @Zeffo Thank you

    • @KeripiK_CTMM
      @KeripiK_CTMM 2 роки тому

      imma pitch in vi-iii-IV-I

  • @methyod
    @methyod Рік тому +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.

  • @Nawnish-Pawnish
    @Nawnish-Pawnish Рік тому +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.

  • @aptudo
    @aptudo 2 роки тому +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!

  • @PewciSlayer
    @PewciSlayer 2 роки тому +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  2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +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  2 роки тому +2

      @@wyssmaster great song!!

  • @andrewsnow5007
    @andrewsnow5007 9 місяців тому +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

  • @The9mmProfessor
    @The9mmProfessor Рік тому +3

    🤯 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!

  • @alansturgess1324
    @alansturgess1324 2 роки тому +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 Рік тому

      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 Рік тому

      @@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.

  • @keithdavies100
    @keithdavies100 2 роки тому +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.

  • @Midi-olo-gist6758
    @Midi-olo-gist6758 Рік тому +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!!

  • @youtubepremium3505
    @youtubepremium3505 8 місяців тому +3

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

  • @dr-ozone
    @dr-ozone 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +5

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

    • @Moonless_Future
      @Moonless_Future 2 роки тому +2

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

  • @phiblr
    @phiblr 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому

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

    • @cockatootwin9003
      @cockatootwin9003 2 роки тому +2

      i thought exactly the same thing!

    • @muhammadakyas4373
      @muhammadakyas4373 2 роки тому

      ua-cam.com/video/IJMds3jT7c8/v-deo.html

    • @yudasgoat2000
      @yudasgoat2000 2 роки тому

      I was thinking "Night Moves".

    • @Rdifycuvi
      @Rdifycuvi 2 роки тому +1

      Almost “The Way It Is - Bruce Hornsby”

  • @Sushi_Overdose
    @Sushi_Overdose 8 місяців тому +2

    Great video. I really love the way you explain and show examples.

  • @soniachapple3141
    @soniachapple3141 Рік тому

    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

  • @Timmie1995
    @Timmie1995 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому

      "The Bozo Vamp" :-)

    • @musitect
      @musitect 2 роки тому +1

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

  • @petercohen3966
    @petercohen3966 2 роки тому +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.

  • @stivosaurus
    @stivosaurus Рік тому +1

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

  • @LemonesqueStudio
    @LemonesqueStudio Рік тому

    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.

  • @thomasrinschler6783
    @thomasrinschler6783 2 роки тому +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!

  • @importedloser
    @importedloser 2 роки тому +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

  • @jomertomale
    @jomertomale Рік тому +6

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

  • @sarahsuarez8616
    @sarahsuarez8616 Рік тому +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!

  • @NassosConqueso
    @NassosConqueso 2 роки тому +32

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

  • @Butterinthefield
    @Butterinthefield 2 роки тому +28

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

  • @ecoop20
    @ecoop20 8 місяців тому +6

    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.

  • @irgendwer1155
    @irgendwer1155 Рік тому +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 Рік тому

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

  • @Tremaine26
    @Tremaine26 2 роки тому +15

    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

  • @dpa103304
    @dpa103304 2 роки тому +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.

  • @georgiagalaxy
    @georgiagalaxy 10 місяців тому

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

  • @motopaulo
    @motopaulo Рік тому +2

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

  • @IsaiahStewartJazz
    @IsaiahStewartJazz 2 роки тому +3

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

  • @sophovot5079
    @sophovot5079 2 роки тому +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

  • @ryoko65
    @ryoko65 Рік тому +6

    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.

  • @juanrojas7505
    @juanrojas7505 Рік тому +1

    This is by far the best video on the subject I have found in youtube. Thanks so much. 🎯👏🤯

  • @jerrytracey6602
    @jerrytracey6602 2 роки тому +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 UA-cam 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 Рік тому

      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

  • @evanhouston7246
    @evanhouston7246 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +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.

    • @JoseBenitoMartinezJr
      @JoseBenitoMartinezJr 2 роки тому

      1964 was a great year for the Beatles! ua-cam.com/video/36yUuAPWXFA/v-deo.html

  • @andrewjeffries8721
    @andrewjeffries8721 Місяць тому

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

  • @katiukulele
    @katiukulele Рік тому

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

  • @BashkirCurlyGirl
    @BashkirCurlyGirl 2 роки тому +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!

  • @Mezilesialan
    @Mezilesialan 2 роки тому +11

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

  • @davidcloutman2949
    @davidcloutman2949 Рік тому

    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!

  • @rraawk00
    @rraawk00 Рік тому

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

  • @MatusFinchus
    @MatusFinchus 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +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.

  • @monicakamenova2488
    @monicakamenova2488 2 роки тому +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!

  • @DSilverwood
    @DSilverwood 6 місяців тому

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

  • @vincentjackson3472
    @vincentjackson3472 Рік тому

    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!

  • @lisa_gay
    @lisa_gay 2 роки тому +3

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

  • @rosslarsen6144
    @rosslarsen6144 2 роки тому +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.

  • @alexpick2028
    @alexpick2028 Рік тому +2

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

  • @raulfinlaysonakadjraoul4449
    @raulfinlaysonakadjraoul4449 7 місяців тому +1

    Best video I've ever watched regarding chord progressions 👏👏..Keep up the good work David 👍

  • @robster7316
    @robster7316 2 роки тому +3

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

  • @jolaosardu
    @jolaosardu 2 роки тому +3

    this is a brilliant video!!! all the passion you put into your work should absolutely be rewarded more, love love love.

  • @andiiakhosravi4672
    @andiiakhosravi4672 5 днів тому

    Thank you so much! This helped a lot! Amazing video

  • @kwagner49
    @kwagner49 Рік тому +1

    One of the most useful and informative videos for musicians anywhere. Nicely done and well worth watching.

  • @patepulkkinenvtec2403
    @patepulkkinenvtec2403 2 роки тому +5

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

  • @flybynight0542
    @flybynight0542 2 роки тому +3

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

  • @taylorflemingmusic
    @taylorflemingmusic Рік тому +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.

  • @charlotteyeh2622
    @charlotteyeh2622 11 місяців тому

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

  • @STERNWAERTS
    @STERNWAERTS 2 роки тому +12

    i'm only at progression no. 2 but gotta say that it's such a great and informative video. i would really like to encourage you to talk even more about progressions that _don't_ start on the I chord. this opens up an entirely new world of creating music imho (that i feel i haven't entered yet). edit: also please talk about progressions of only 3 chords or more than 4. it annoys me that all of us focus so much on 4 chord progressions and always starting on the I. 😅

  • @chameleon-dream-band-official
    @chameleon-dream-band-official 2 роки тому +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.

  • @photoguy4212
    @photoguy4212 Рік тому +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.

  • @deborahcosta9460
    @deborahcosta9460 Рік тому

    Wow! Amazing class, David. It's helping me a lot. Thanks for sharing!

  • @Proutt
    @Proutt 2 роки тому +4

    Great video! For guitar players: one thing that really helped me was visualize chords numbers via simple notes on the 6th and 5th string. When you're on the top string, one string down on the same fret is the 4th chord and when you're on the 5th string one string up is the 5th chord.
    In other words, say you're doing an A5 power chord, on the same fret just below is the D5 chord so the 4th chord. From there it's easy to count up or down one chord (the 5th is two frets later to get your E5 chord).
    And let's say you're doing a C5 chord, if you go above on the same fret it becomes the 5th chord with your G5.

  • @brownpunk1794
    @brownpunk1794 2 роки тому +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🙏🏿

  • @aaccca
    @aaccca Рік тому

    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!

  • @jameskeelinggaming2319
    @jameskeelinggaming2319 9 місяців тому

    That was such a BEAUTIFUL VIDEO. and your playing at the end.... amazing

  • @NomeDeArte
    @NomeDeArte 2 роки тому +7

    Thank you for this video, this channel is so useful and amazing. Best wishes from Argentina!

  • @cakemartyr5794
    @cakemartyr5794 2 роки тому +5

    Great video as ever. You've inadvertently summarised why I like some songs and not others, based on their progressions!

    • @MisterL777
      @MisterL777 2 роки тому

      So what are you favourite ones based on?

  • @northumpton
    @northumpton Рік тому

    Amazingly presented, thanks David