i can say as someone who has spend the last nearly 3 years using youtube to learn how to make music, this is probably the most useful video ive watched. ive realised people like intricate melodies but people (artists) LOVE simple chords. i struggle with making simple chords because i feel cheap, i feel like i havent done enough and this video is full of ways we can do more to our chords in the sense of creativity while leaving it simple and open enough for artists to find inspiration and not have to compete with the track to be heard. thank you alex.
As someone who also struggles with over complicating things for the sake of not feeling cheap, I gotta say the best work I’ve done comes from layering multiple simple parts. The chords can be simple, the melody can be simple, the bass can be simple… but if you add all of them together, that creates the complexity you desire. Remember, simple is key in music.
@@TheSCPStudio And that's a huge relief! Coming up with complex chord progressions to elicit specific emotions is way harder (at least to me) than using all the tools at our desposal.
Funny, I find it distracting. I don't care which DAW he is using, but having to readjust to a new layout each time he switches software distracts me from what is important. Understanding the concept he is trying to explain.
These are really useful tips! I can already think of at least one or two I can use in my own chord progression I started working on a few days ago. Quick and easy to grasp, love it!
Can you do a video explaining how the different harmonic rhythms coincide with different chord progressions? Almost like pairing the best rhythms with the best progressions.
This is actually one of the things that define us as individuals: how long we are willing to hang on a tension chord before resolving it. Some artists can't handle tension for more than a few moments, and their progressions will pass through tension chords quickly. Other artists will hang on tension chords and pass through resolution chords quickly. I'm not sure it's clear how that's an answer to your question, except to say that most people prefer progressions where tension chords aren't played for very long, creating faster rhythmic movement.
@@danielbenjaminmusic2920 Thanks for your advice! I’m looking for a harmonic rhythm breakdown similar to the chord progression charts showing which emotion the chords communicate. Kinda trying to learn the rules (if any) before I break them for creativity sake. Any additional info would be appreciated tremendously.
On the last one, you can add emotion by playing it with real instruments. I know how to make things sound sadder or happier when playing on a real piano. I can't really explain how it's done, it's just experience. I think that would sound a bit more natural but your tip works for everyone not only instrument players so it's better in that sense.
Variation for Trick 4: I like to play the same chord "block" three times in a row to let the listener get into thinking, it's just some ordinary repetetive track ... and then the fourth block is completely different and nails it. Example: Am - C - G - F // Am - C - G - F // Am - C - G - F // Dm - F - C - G
@@WoockerSocket2 What is the point of this comment? Do you think you're a genius for trying to make someone else feel dumb? I mean... it's not even funny. If you're going to act rude, at least be funny!
Damn bro, I can just feel the passion you have for this stuff. I’m brand new to making music and very overwhelming but to see how excited you get and how knowledgeable you are - it makes very extremely easy to watch and learn. The songs are so good and effortless on your part. Thank you.
That last tip... Stellar! I feel like that one isn't addressed well enough in Music Production. I would definitely like to see more on the matching of synths and chord's inherent emotional qualities
Thank you so much for getting to the point! It's always great having people who just explain what they need to say rather than a bunch of exposition that no one cares about. Great video!
Hello, good morning, teacher. I wanted to give you a special thank you for your deep and practical videos and your beautiful feelings. I have used your videos for a while now since I met you. And today, thank God, I signed my first music with one of the coolest labels in the world😍♥🔥💯
Those are all really good options. Even if someone is already familiar with various chord tricks, it is a very cool thing to have a video with so many of them, so you can think "huh, I haven't used this one in a while, let's try it in the current song".
May I also suggest peppering your chord progressions with Augmented and Diminished Chords? I honestly feel that EDM music does not get hardly any of those chords if at all. Perhaps in terms of diminished chords, There may be at least two or three at the most in techno EDM pieces that comes to mind. Two of them come from the Streets of Rage Soundtracks, but the most prominent techno piece that comes to mind is Anaconda by Wolfgang Gartner. And the chords in that song are F minor7, BFlat sus4sus2, BFlat major over C, DFlat major over EFlat, and E diminished7. And then back to F minor7. I love that chord progression so much because you go through the first three chords, but then it just sits on that DFlat major over EFlat for a couple more seconds, and that is what makes so powerful when that E diminished7 just hits you in the face and ears, quickly bringing you back to the F minor7 tonic chord. Here is a link to the song. th-cam.com/video/yEEVZfswNgU/w-d-xo.html Now as for techno pieces with augmented chords, there really isn't any in general. However, I did a cover from the Streets of Rage 5 Remake OST. And in particular, I covered the Mona Lisa track. But it is actually the Boss music in the game (at least one of them if I am correct.) Now that is one of the other techno pieces that come to mind that is diminished for sure. And they use the Diminished Scale of course. In my cover, I augmented the heck out of it instead. And I used nothing but the Whole Tone Scale. So check it out from the following link and enjoy. th-cam.com/video/tWgWbtH1ptA/w-d-xo.html&pp=ygUaYXVnbWVudGVkIGxpc2Egam9obiBmb2xsaXM%3D
Nice tips, well complemented by the mastery of ur Daw’s control, so fast!. I use pro tools and I need to check my old notes to remember how to automatize the cut off like u 😄
Less than 10 seconds and my new fucking GUY here. Straight nose dives into pure wisdom of epic proportions. I am truly blessed to have come across you. You are truly the least cheesy youtuber out there!!! Never even begged for a fucking like/follow. Which is exactly why you have mine. My guy, I fuckin love you, your soul & the willingness of your ability to share!!
i love it when i go to watch videos like these and then discover that i actually learned alot through the years that ive been doing some of these stuff and know what they're called
altternate title : switch up between DAWs to add evergy to boring videos! loving the content dude! i always learn a little bit each time i watch something here!
Awesome video! This one is really helpful to me. I did the wrong thing and started avoiding chords because I couldn’t figure out why my chords sounded cheesy af. Thanks for making me more interested in exploring chords again!
Something else you can also do is use seventh chords which utilize 4 notes instead of 3. It adds more room for tweaking the overall chord, whether it is the 1st, 3rd, 5th, or 7th note being played (such as lengthening one and shortening the other or whatever you want to do tbh).
Best Chord Video I've Ever Seen 😮😎🥵 I have been watching many videos about music for years, but thanks to your channel in a few months I have learned much more 🙇🙏💯
I totally respect your abilities and talent. Being an old person, I prefer to hear a real person playing an actual instrument and vocals with no auto tune. Perfect music sounds robotic and soulless to me. But like I said I'm old!
Exactly why producers have a “humanize” tool that adds slight imperfections to the chords. However you’re very right that music can feel flat when isn’t played by a real person on a machine
I love u man, u r the best, musician, producer, teacher. Simple person, sharing conocement, tips and tricks for expansive creativity. Love u from Colombia 🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴
I love how you switch between using FL and Logic. I use Logic and while a piano roll is always a piano roll, it feels good to see what you do in different DAW’s.
Hey Alex man.. I've only begun my journey learning this stuff even though I love music all my life. I have recently got a Midi Lx25+ NEKTAR. It's the cheapest version but it'll be fine for me while I'm learning. I love ur videos man. U actually slow stuff down and explain it so noobs like me can understand it better bro. Very much appreciated. Respect and hello from 🇮🇪 IRELAND 🇮🇪
This video is pure gold...Thank you man... I'm trying to make my own music to my videos, something simple and this kind of materials helps me a lot... Again, thank you...❤🥰
Hey Alex. I must be among the late ones to stumble upon your channel. Excellent straight to the point information and I can tell that your intentions are to really share all the little details you have picked up over the years
Nice video, but I feel there are some other tricks that a good player/composer/arranger can use, like upper extensions (9ths, 11ths, 13ths) spread over octaves and played in two hands, suspensions or adding 2nds and 4ths, altered bass notes (slash chords), contrary motion between chord and bass notes, arpeggiating part of the chord to give it some movement and melody, tritone substitutions and a host of other techniques. Also I'm a big advocate of actually playing the parts into the DAW and not snapping them to the grid, because it allows the performance and arrangement to breathe a bit. By all means play to a click to tighten up the timing, but I don't like parts being over quantised. They sound stiff.
Great video. Yes, at Juilliard we're learned all about "cheezyness" of chords! I beleive it was a term first coined by Chopin when he was writing the Minuete Waltz while eating a cheese sandwich.
i can say as someone who has spend the last nearly 3 years using youtube to learn how to make music, this is probably the most useful video ive watched. ive realised people like intricate melodies but people (artists) LOVE simple chords. i struggle with making simple chords because i feel cheap, i feel like i havent done enough and this video is full of ways we can do more to our chords in the sense of creativity while leaving it simple and open enough for artists to find inspiration and not have to compete with the track to be heard. thank you alex.
As someone who also struggles with over complicating things for the sake of not feeling cheap, I gotta say the best work I’ve done comes from layering multiple simple parts. The chords can be simple, the melody can be simple, the bass can be simple… but if you add all of them together, that creates the complexity you desire.
Remember, simple is key in music.
@@TheSCPStudio And that's a huge relief! Coming up with complex chord progressions to elicit specific emotions is way harder (at least to me) than using all the tools at our desposal.
i couldnt agree more
Same.😎👍
What’s your artist name
I reeeally appreciate that you use multiple DAW's so all of us have a part in the video that we understand well! :D _Thanks!
Yeah I agree
@@chryzproduction9627 yeah right
Funny, I find it distracting. I don't care which DAW he is using, but having to readjust to a new layout each time he switches software distracts me from what is important. Understanding the concept he is trying to explain.
pls tell me what vst/plugin hes using for the chords and basses
logic gang!
FL Studio shortcuts
Shift + Up/Down - Move selected note(s) by one semitone.
Ctrl + Up/Down - Move selected note(s) by one octave.
Ctrl + Left Click drag : select the notes u want to
Ctrl + B : Paste in next bar
I actually didn't know the second one for the longest time, thank you
Mans really doesn't like cheese
I like videos like this. It's a nice demonstration of simple "ingredients" you can add to make a riff more interesting. Nice job!
pls tell me what vst/plugin hes using for the chords and basses
@@hanes5689 Mostly sylenth from what I could tell
These are really useful tips! I can already think of at least one or two I can use in my own chord progression I started working on a few days ago. Quick and easy to grasp, love it!
Can you do a video explaining how the different harmonic rhythms coincide with different chord progressions? Almost like pairing the best rhythms with the best progressions.
interesting. Yea I can look into this.
@@AlexRome Awesome!!!
This is actually one of the things that define us as individuals: how long we are willing to hang on a tension chord before resolving it. Some artists can't handle tension for more than a few moments, and their progressions will pass through tension chords quickly. Other artists will hang on tension chords and pass through resolution chords quickly. I'm not sure it's clear how that's an answer to your question, except to say that most people prefer progressions where tension chords aren't played for very long, creating faster rhythmic movement.
@@danielbenjaminmusic2920 Thanks for your advice! I’m looking for a harmonic rhythm breakdown similar to the chord progression charts showing which emotion the chords communicate. Kinda trying to learn the rules (if any) before I break them for creativity sake. Any additional info would be appreciated tremendously.
@@simpdown1404 In that case you may be seeking a specific answer to a question that doesn't have a specific answer.
On the last one, you can add emotion by playing it with real instruments. I know how to make things sound sadder or happier when playing on a real piano. I can't really explain how it's done, it's just experience. I think that would sound a bit more natural but your tip works for everyone not only instrument players so it's better in that sense.
Variation for Trick 4: I like to play the same chord "block" three times in a row to let the listener get into thinking, it's just some ordinary repetetive track ... and then the fourth block is completely different and nails it. Example:
Am - C - G - F // Am - C - G - F // Am - C - G - F // Dm - F - C - G
Wow you must be a genius
Nice great tip !!
@@WoockerSocket2 What is the point of this comment? Do you think you're a genius for trying to make someone else feel dumb? I mean... it's not even funny. If you're going to act rude, at least be funny!
Awesome tip!
At 5:25 is that a released song? That lyric, that voice, that beat is fantastic!
Damn bro, I can just feel the passion you have for this stuff. I’m brand new to making music and very overwhelming but to see how excited you get and how knowledgeable you are - it makes very extremely easy to watch and learn. The songs are so good and effortless on your part. Thank you.
That last tip... Stellar! I feel like that one isn't addressed well enough in Music Production. I would definitely like to see more on the matching of synths and chord's inherent emotional qualities
Thank you so much for getting to the point! It's always great having people who just explain what they need to say rather than a bunch of exposition that no one cares about. Great video!
Hello, good morning, teacher. I wanted to give you a special thank you for your deep and practical videos and your beautiful feelings. I have used your videos for a while now since I met you. And today, thank God, I signed my first music with one of the coolest labels in the world😍♥🔥💯
Those are all really good options. Even if someone is already familiar with various chord tricks, it is a very cool thing to have a video with so many of them, so you can think "huh, I haven't used this one in a while, let's try it in the current song".
THIS HELPED SO MUCH!! Basically you can make a melody with the chord itself.. mind blown!
This is one of the most helpful music tip videos I've watched in a long time. Thanks!
One extra tip: Add extra notes, dissonances etc to make them more full.
I always use chord extensions if possible, but for that, you need basic knowledge on chord scales.
@@saricubra2867 Absolutely. But if you're into really dissonant stuff, playing in-between notes may be necessary.
Yes, exactly
May I also suggest peppering your chord progressions with Augmented and Diminished Chords? I honestly feel that EDM music does not get hardly any of those chords if at all. Perhaps in terms of diminished chords, There may be at least two or three at the most in techno EDM pieces that comes to mind. Two of them come from the Streets of Rage Soundtracks, but the most prominent techno piece that comes to mind is Anaconda by Wolfgang Gartner. And the chords in that song are F minor7, BFlat sus4sus2, BFlat major over C, DFlat major over EFlat, and E diminished7. And then back to F minor7. I love that chord progression so much because you go through the first three chords, but then it just sits on that DFlat major over EFlat for a couple more seconds, and that is what makes so powerful when that E diminished7 just hits you in the face and ears, quickly bringing you back to the F minor7 tonic chord. Here is a link to the song.
th-cam.com/video/yEEVZfswNgU/w-d-xo.html
Now as for techno pieces with augmented chords, there really isn't any in general. However, I did a cover from the Streets of Rage 5 Remake OST. And in particular, I covered the Mona Lisa track. But it is actually the Boss music in the game (at least one of them if I am correct.) Now that is one of the other techno pieces that come to mind that is diminished for sure. And they use the Diminished Scale of course. In my cover, I augmented the heck out of it instead. And I used nothing but the Whole Tone Scale. So check it out from the following link and enjoy.
th-cam.com/video/tWgWbtH1ptA/w-d-xo.html&pp=ygUaYXVnbWVudGVkIGxpc2Egam9obiBmb2xsaXM%3D
that was solid, thanks. Not just invert or make rhythms but much more deeper
Nice tips, well complemented by the mastery of ur Daw’s control, so fast!. I use pro tools and I need to check my old notes to remember how to automatize the cut off like u 😄
Less than 10 seconds and my new fucking GUY here. Straight nose dives into pure wisdom of epic proportions. I am truly blessed to have come across you. You are truly the least cheesy youtuber out there!!! Never even begged for a fucking like/follow. Which is exactly why you have mine. My guy, I fuckin love you, your soul & the willingness of your ability to share!!
This was well put together.👏 Thank you 🥂
Loved all the DAW layouts , Ive dabbled in a few for creative reasons. Greats Content Came from the ARP Video.. #FlGang
i love it when i go to watch videos like these and then discover that i actually learned alot through the years that ive been doing some of these stuff and know what they're called
altternate title : switch up between DAWs to add evergy to boring videos!
loving the content dude! i always learn a little bit each time i watch something here!
5:23 so that’s perfect, i have goosebumps rn👀🔥
Awesome video! This one is really helpful to me. I did the wrong thing and started avoiding chords because I couldn’t figure out why my chords sounded cheesy af. Thanks for making me more interested in exploring chords again!
Something else you can also do is use seventh chords which utilize 4 notes instead of 3. It adds more room for tweaking the overall chord, whether it is the 1st, 3rd, 5th, or 7th note being played (such as lengthening one and shortening the other or whatever you want to do tbh).
this is my new fav channel ♥
cool video, found this things out by myself in FL4 plenty years ago, this study in this video took my around 5 years ^^ keep on going, cool stuff
U deserve so much more praise man I’ve been looking for a vid like this for a while
Awesome and helpful video man! Thank you!
Best Chord Video I've Ever Seen 😮😎🥵
I have been watching many videos about music for years, but thanks to your channel in a few months I have learned much more 🙇🙏💯
He makes creating music look so easy and I love it
I totally respect your abilities and talent. Being an old person, I prefer to hear a real person playing an actual instrument and vocals with no auto tune. Perfect music sounds robotic and soulless to me. But like I said I'm old!
Exactly why producers have a “humanize” tool that adds slight imperfections to the chords. However you’re very right that music can feel flat when isn’t played by a real person on a machine
I love u man, u r the best, musician, producer, teacher. Simple person, sharing conocement, tips and tricks for expansive creativity. Love u from Colombia 🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴
5:35 I like that little air punch
solid and quality video, superb explanations , clear cut and straight to the point. very much appreciated!
Appreciate this video a lot, as a new producer with no musical background this opened my eyes as beginner thanks heaps got my sub
Incredible, thank you so much 🧡
Your videos really inspire me a lot sir...thank you so much
I love how you switch between using FL and Logic. I use Logic and while a piano roll is always a piano roll, it feels good to see what you do in different DAW’s.
If your starting at musical production this channel is gold.
Your videos are literally more helpful than anything I've found on the tube. I appreciate you so very much my brother man.
Thanks Alex, the truth is I don't know if this passion and this desire to create music would exist if I hadn't found you on my path. really thanks!
This is where i was struggling. Thank you Boss for explaining this in detail. Thank you again.
Hey Alex man.. I've only begun my journey learning this stuff even though I love music all my life. I have recently got a Midi Lx25+ NEKTAR. It's the cheapest version but it'll be fine for me while I'm learning.
I love ur videos man.
U actually slow stuff down and explain it so noobs like me can understand it better bro.
Very much appreciated. Respect and hello from 🇮🇪 IRELAND 🇮🇪
What a great gift from you! Thank you and merry xmas Alex.
I am currently taking other courses such as music theory, etc… & your stuff is amazing man. Wow!! Love your approach & guidance.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🙏 You are a wonderful teacher.
this helps a damn lot for beginner producers! Thanks for all these tips!
Brother you slay these tutorials
This video is pure gold...Thank you man...
I'm trying to make my own music to my videos, something simple and this kind of materials helps me a lot...
Again, thank you...❤🥰
I appreciate the advice keep it up. I'm trying to learn without paying for a whole masterclass course so this is wonderful!
Ты просто ТОП ! Очень вдохновляешь, после просмотра, сразу тянет открыть DAW и творить ! Спасибо тебе !)
Тоже тащусь от его гайдов)
Да, это видео довольно неплохое.
Hey Alex. I must be among the late ones to stumble upon your channel. Excellent straight to the point information and I can tell that your intentions are to really share all the little details you have picked up over the years
Really appreciate this tutorial.
God bless :)
Great advice! I'll sure take this knowledge with me into making my beats. 🎶💯🎶
What a great lesson on how to get better at chords! Many thanks!
Man you always have a way to make me more motivated to make more good music thank you
awesome stuff as always Alex, Merry Christmas to all the producer community!
Good ideas bro. Thanks
thank you for switching between daws it makes it easier for me to understand when you do for some reason
YOU'RE TOO GOOD MAN.SHOUT OUT FROM AN AFRO BEAT PRODUCER IN WEST AFRICA 🌍
that last piano change was so good it made me cry lmfao. good video, thanks!
thanks a lot bro this really spiced up my previous ideas and helps to create uniqueness wow love this tutorial 😁😁
You make things look so easy. OMG. Too good
best youtube video for beginner producers ever
I've been looking for a tutorial like this for a long time! Thank you very much!
Broooo that dnb tune!!!!! Love your work man.
I really loved the voice-changing stuff. It made my chords sound full.
Neat and looks straightforward. Thanks.
Amazing video man! Thank you so much!
Great sounds, and love all your tips. Thank you. 👍👍👍
7:02 These exact chords can be made not cheesy, check out Com Truise - Propagation for one example.
Awesome vid, a gold mine of tips - just gotta remember to use em now...
This is gold🔥🔥🔥 you just got yourself a new subscriber
This is exactly what i needed bro thank you so much!!!
Simple and straight to the point. Very good.
Love this! Thank you for sharing
Nice video, but I feel there are some other tricks that a good player/composer/arranger can use, like upper extensions (9ths, 11ths, 13ths) spread over octaves and played in two hands, suspensions or adding 2nds and 4ths, altered bass notes (slash chords), contrary motion between chord and bass notes, arpeggiating part of the chord to give it some movement and melody, tritone substitutions and a host of other techniques. Also I'm a big advocate of actually playing the parts into the DAW and not snapping them to the grid, because it allows the performance and arrangement to breathe a bit. By all means play to a click to tighten up the timing, but I don't like parts being over quantised. They sound stiff.
Great vid about spicing up chOUrds. Lots of useful tips, appreciated.
This is fire 🔥! Thank you for this!
Thank you so so much, man!🙏🏾 Those tricks really help
absolutely packed with good information and presented clearly, thank you
So glad I came across this channel 🙏🏽
Very good and helpful video!! Thank you for the advices!!
Amazing tips! Loved it!
6:00 Dang I wish REAPER has that where I can click knobs and it'll make the automations appear.
I have to say, you make the most helpful videos for the producers.
such a good underated channel
Very interesting video!
this man just flexed that he can use/own every daw in the game.. respeccctttt
Really cool video thanks for sharing it. It's very enjoyable to watch to the point straight away well done! 😊
WOw tht sad melody sounds so depressing loved it.keep on sharing man. love ur videos.
Thanks man, some advices I found very useful!
This is actually a really awesome video, thanks for sharing 👍🏻
thanks a lot man u really made a big difference in my production ☺️☺️
Great video. I’m gonna implement these tricks. Pretty cool.
Great video. Yes, at Juilliard we're learned all about "cheezyness" of chords! I beleive it was a term first coined by Chopin when he was writing the Minuete Waltz while eating a cheese sandwich.
One of the best tips I've seen in a long time.