I’ve been playing guitar for four years, never understood what this meant. You just explained it in a way I could understand for the first time and I feel like I just had a major breakthrough!!!! Thank you!!!!
I'm a smart guy and I've watched 50 videos on music theory and it still all sounds like someone was high when they came up with music theory. I keep hearing 'this is what you do' but why? "Because this is the way you do it"..... why? I know that sounds like a five year old but I feel like music theory is an attempt to put sound into a box. Seems limiting. But, I'm a newbie so I'm sure I sound stupid. Nice video though, hopefully someday I get it. lol
You don't sound stupid at all! It took me a LONG time to finnaly get music theory. The "why" is simply to understand that notes and chords have unique sounds and perform unique functions. When you understand what those are, you can use them to better explore your musical options, and come up with things that you otherwise wouldn't! Not to mention, it makes learning the guitar much simpler when you have some type of common system / nomenclature to rely on. I hope this helps and that theory starts to make sense for you.. Feel free to email support@guitargate.com and we can have a LONG back and forth about it if you want. Best - Michael
Thanks. I'm trying to learn a lot all at once. Probably should start with the basics first. It's just odd when people say they are playing in the key of 'whatever' yet then they hit notes all up and down the fret board. Like ok... looks like you can play all those no matter what key you are in. Anyhow... I'm sure I should just take some classes. I just live an hour from anyone that teaches. I'll keep watching videos. Thanks.
Yeah - it's best to take it one step at a time, because everything builds on top of itself. And while it looks like all notes are being played in any key, that's not the case. Keys are real - but of course take private lessons! THere's nothing better than being in a room with a good teacher that can show you what you need to understand. Good luck
Here's the good news - you're only counting to 7. That's it! If you find the key, and the song stays in key (not always the case), you have 7 notes and 7 chords to choose from. That's literally the extent of the math for diatonic (stays in key) music.
THAT. Was excellent. Each chord is one of the kids. 4 can live by himself just fine. 5 isn't so confident away from home. Six is the wayward son....a little troubled. Wants to come home but isn't ready. Six visits two for support. Two takes six home to make up with dad.
Nothing ridiculous about playing country; I love it, and I'm happy every time I see someone using it when teaching. Very good lesson, and I really enjoyed it!
I have been struggling with this key thing for awhile. I write a shit ton of songs and never used keys. They sound good I don't know why. You just explained the whole business to me in just under 9 minutes. Thank You, and keep on rocking!
I've heard this explained many different ways from multiple college courses. This is the best version I've ever heard. The way it's worded make the difference. Really nice!
What an excellent tutorial, I had a big grin on my face every time he said "where's it want to go? It wants to go home" in time with the music. Good stuff.
I have a basic understanding of theory and what it means to play in key, well, at least I thought I did. The way you explained the 1-6-5-2 theory made so much sense on how it goes bad/away, then comes back, brilliant! I just recently came across your lessons and love how you explain theory in most of your lessons. I'll definitely be signing up for the full course.
Yes, numbers! No more letters. The only thing ridiculous about Country is that not everyone is refined enough to appreciate it! So there! (It’s always something, isn’t it?) thanks for posting
This was extremely helpful! I love how you linked the function or feel of the different chord positions in the key to stages of the story (e.g. starting at home at the 1, falling into contrast at the 6 as things go wrong, getting hope for resolution back at the 2, then working toward returning home at the 5 and finally making it there at the 1). That idea of the key sequence of chords as mapping out a plot progression is brilliant and a great tool for understanding and writing song structure. Thanks so much! Subscribed!
This video was the key to unlocking a new understanding of music for me... seriously though thank you so much!!! I was so confused about what a key was for so long.
Oh my god, I get it. I needed to hear these words, I just played along to this video on piano AND guitar! I never thought that would have been possible. Thanks Michael
Been playing for years, but I don't know how to play in the key of anything. Yet, your description (wanting to go home) I can completely understand! Nice job-Thanks!
You and Marty Schwartz is by far the best teachers on youtube! You deserve way more subscribers! Keep on doing these incredible lessons! Sorry for my bad english, greetings from Sweden:)
Thank you so much :-)! It is becoming clear and clearer now. It’s not rocket science although it can escalate but this helps me understand what I’ve been playing by ear all these years. I watch people and I learn what you’re doing and I recognized the sounds and I’m able to play within the box and think outside the box but I just really didn’t understand the language. Thank you.
I LOVED the sound from going from 1st to 6th minor in both of your examples, that hard contrast is really apealing. I never knew the methods behind these melodies that are so pleasing to me, now i really want to know more and fug it, i don't wanna go home xD
Great lesson. Real easy to understand and to watch. I'm going to check out more of your videos. You and Steve Stine are the best and easiest to follow. Thanks!
Best teacher ever seriously.. but how did you pick your chords and do the walks and stuff that way like instead of strumming the chord it seemed like you individually picked or something if that makes any sense??...You should have million subscribers by the way
You're a really prominent teacher mate! Really enjoyed this well set and constructed lesson which is simple enough for dimwits such as myself to understand! Really well done! keep up the good work
thank you mate. this is exactly the explanation i needed. gonna have a dig around and see if you expand further on dimished, augmented and sevenths. though the clever move i think would be to noodle on this a little rather than more youtube. thanks again
Thanks for making it so easy to understand! Would be good if you could explain the notes that you play when you change chord, the pick-up and such. Cheers !
Very good explanation. You keep it simple for those who are just starting out. I hope you don't mind me putting my 2 cents worth in, I think it's a good idea to use some song examples to drive the point home. For example. In a 1-6-4-5 progression, a couple of songs that come to mind are unchained melody or love hurts. Maybe you covered that in some other lessons, I might be speaking out of turn. But great job anyway. Peace!
dude i dont know your name this was the first video i clicked on and you have just explained years of work to me i play by ear basically im 28 since i was 12 just by myself and ive never understood "keys" and now i get it not even 5 mins into your video thank you so much
Great lesson! I am becoming a fan of yours! How about the 3rd chord? How does it feel? It feels static to me. It feels sad as a minor chord but I feel it doesn't want to go anywhere
Outstanding video, got me thinking and I have a question. So let's say we're playing 1-4-5 in the key of A which makes B #2. Let's say I want to throw in a minor-sounding or tension-building kinda lead fill or solo. Does that mean I'd want to fiddle around in the B-minor pentatonic scale? Or does that not work with the key of A?
Thanks Kelby! In the key of A, Bmi is the 2 chord. The other minor chord options are C#mi and F# minor (3 and 6 chords, respectively). With that being said, your question is confusing - I can't tell if you are asking about staying on the 1 4 5 progression and adding different sounds, or actually adding in a minor chord (Bmi) to the progression and improvising over that. Here's the deal: You can play any scale over any chord - but it's the CHORD that dictates the tonality. So - for example - if you play Bmi pent over a Bmi chord you will get an entirely consonant sound as the scale contains all of the chord tones of the underlying chord. On the other hand, if you play a scale that doesn't perfectly outline the chord tones you're playing over, like when you play Bmi over an A major chord, it's still the chord that dictates the tonality - so the notes in the scale will still be saying something ABOUT the underlying chord. This will yield different sounds in different scenarios, and you should experiment with them! The main point is that it ultimately comes down to the sound of certain scale degrees over certain chords. The more you experiment, the more you will get used to the different sounds and you'll likely come up with cool stuff you otherwise wouldn't! FOR EXAMPLE: playing the b minor pentatonic over a major will yield the scale degrees of 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 as it relates to the 1 chord, or A. So - you'll end up with a major ish sound, but with no 3rd, so a suspended sound if you will. TRY IT!
Sorry that my question was confusing but you still somehow managed to completely clear it up. Thanks so much for the help I am going to play around with this tonight!
4:05 Him: Where does it wanna go?
Me: Where? Where?!!
Him: Back home.
For some reason that moment felt very suspenseful lol
webstime1 the suspense was because your subconscious identified the sound of the chord as leading up to something, home (the C chord)
wow, finally someone explains it in a way that makes sense to me! Thank you for the time you put into this video!
+Schmevinfinity Thanks man!
I’ve been playing guitar for four years, never understood what this meant. You just explained it in a way I could understand for the first time and I feel like I just had a major breakthrough!!!! Thank you!!!!
Great!!
I'm a smart guy and I've watched 50 videos on music theory and it still all sounds like someone was high when they came up with music theory. I keep hearing 'this is what you do' but why? "Because this is the way you do it"..... why? I know that sounds like a five year old but I feel like music theory is an attempt to put sound into a box. Seems limiting. But, I'm a newbie so I'm sure I sound stupid. Nice video though, hopefully someday I get it. lol
You don't sound stupid at all! It took me a LONG time to finnaly get music theory. The "why" is simply to understand that notes and chords have unique sounds and perform unique functions. When you understand what those are, you can use them to better explore your musical options, and come up with things that you otherwise wouldn't! Not to mention, it makes learning the guitar much simpler when you have some type of common system / nomenclature to rely on. I hope this helps and that theory starts to make sense for you.. Feel free to email support@guitargate.com and we can have a LONG back and forth about it if you want. Best - Michael
Thanks. I'm trying to learn a lot all at once. Probably should start with the basics first. It's just odd when people say they are playing in the key of 'whatever' yet then they hit notes all up and down the fret board. Like ok... looks like you can play all those no matter what key you are in. Anyhow... I'm sure I should just take some classes. I just live an hour from anyone that teaches. I'll keep watching videos. Thanks.
Yeah - it's best to take it one step at a time, because everything builds on top of itself. And while it looks like all notes are being played in any key, that's not the case. Keys are real - but of course take private lessons! THere's nothing better than being in a room with a good teacher that can show you what you need to understand. Good luck
Smock Knives 8 pvp
Here's the good news - you're only counting to 7. That's it! If you find the key, and the song stays in key (not always the case), you have 7 notes and 7 chords to choose from. That's literally the extent of the math for diatonic (stays in key) music.
Thanks!
THAT. Was excellent. Each chord is one of the kids. 4 can live by himself just fine. 5 isn't so confident away from home. Six is the wayward son....a little troubled. Wants to come home but isn't ready. Six visits two for support. Two takes six home to make up with dad.
Nothing ridiculous about playing country; I love it, and I'm happy every time I see someone using it when teaching. Very good lesson, and I really enjoyed it!
Thank you sir!
I have been struggling with this key thing for awhile. I write a shit ton of songs and never used keys. They sound good I don't know why. You just explained the whole business to me in just under 9 minutes. Thank You, and keep on rocking!
+Iowayan77 Yessir! Glad you like it
I've heard this explained many different ways from multiple college courses. This is the best version I've ever heard. The way it's worded make the difference. Really nice!
Thanks so much!! Glad it helps :)
This guy is the best on TH-cam makes it so easy
+Michael Rios Thanks man!!!
I actually had a huge grin bopping my head trying to guess who's walking away and who's going home..great job
What an excellent tutorial, I had a big grin on my face every time he said "where's it want to go? It wants to go home" in time with the music. Good stuff.
Honestly, your analogy is right on the money. Keep up the good work
+juanjanse1234 Will do. Thanks!
Well explained, I've been playing guitar for 9years now and never understood "Keys" until now...Thank you for a brilliant video.
Wonderful! Glad it was helpful!
I have a basic understanding of theory and what it means to play in key, well, at least I thought I did. The way you explained the 1-6-5-2 theory made so much sense on how it goes bad/away, then comes back, brilliant! I just recently came across your lessons and love how you explain theory in most of your lessons. I'll definitely be signing up for the full course.
Yes, numbers! No more letters. The only thing ridiculous about Country is that not everyone is refined enough to appreciate it! So there! (It’s always something, isn’t it?) thanks for posting
This is most helpful explanation of keys I’ve ever heard. It makes so much sense when you explain it this way!
Thanks! Glad I could help!
This was extremely helpful! I love how you linked the function or feel of the different chord positions in the key to stages of the story (e.g. starting at home at the 1, falling into contrast at the 6 as things go wrong, getting hope for resolution back at the 2, then working toward returning home at the 5 and finally making it there at the 1). That idea of the key sequence of chords as mapping out a plot progression is brilliant and a great tool for understanding and writing song structure. Thanks so much! Subscribed!
This video was the key to unlocking a new understanding of music for me... seriously though thank you so much!!! I was so confused about what a key was for so long.
what a great video, love how you personified the chords
+Asif Khan yeah man - that's the way to do it.
Oh my god, I get it. I needed to hear these words, I just played along to this video on piano AND guitar! I never thought that would have been possible.
Thanks Michael
Been playing for years, but I don't know how to play in the key of anything. Yet, your description (wanting to go home) I can completely understand! Nice job-Thanks!
+George Carmen Great! You're welcome
+George Carmen Thanks!
Michael Palmisano why are you saying you’re welcome?
When you said the 5 chord wants to go home @ 5:46, I knew. You're an Excellent Teacher and I want to watch more of your videos!!! YOU ROCK!!!!!
This is hands down one of the most helpful videos I’ve ever watched. Thanks for that explanation.
Thanks Samuel! Keep it in your hands :)
You really deserve much more credit than you actually get. Many Thanks.
Brilliant explanation! Top notch stuff.
+sduke39 Much appreciated!
What a great video. Couldn't stop smiling through the whole thing and learnt a tonne. Thank you
You and Marty Schwartz is by far the best teachers on youtube! You deserve way more subscribers! Keep on doing these incredible lessons! Sorry for my bad english, greetings from Sweden:)
+Jesper Larsson Thanks dude! That's good company to be in :)
Thank you so much :-)! It is becoming clear and clearer now. It’s not rocket science although it can escalate but this helps me understand what I’ve been playing by ear all these years. I watch people and I learn what you’re doing and I recognized the sounds and I’m able to play within the box and think outside the box but I just really didn’t understand the language. Thank you.
THANK YOUUU, this really got me out of the same old chord progressions now I can finally make songs without repetitive chord progressions :)))
i absolutely love this guy's teaching style. thank you
I LOVED the sound from going from 1st to 6th minor in both of your examples, that hard contrast is really apealing. I never knew the methods behind these melodies that are so pleasing to me, now i really want to know more and fug it, i don't wanna go home xD
Great lesson. Real easy to understand and to watch. I'm going to check out more of your videos. You and Steve Stine are the best and easiest to follow. Thanks!
Oh thanks so much!!! Glad you like it brother
you're an excellent teacher! thank you!
You make things easy to understand. Thank you!
That's the goal! thanks!
Best teacher ever seriously.. but how did you pick your chords and do the walks and stuff that way like instead of strumming the chord it seemed like you individually picked or something if that makes any sense??...You should have million subscribers by the way
I wish I would have had your videos 8 years ago! I would have been a better player now. You are an awesome teacher!
Todd Swymeler Thank You!!
One of the best videos on the basics of how music is designed. Very good 🎸
Wow! One of the best teachers around! You deserve more subscribers.
+daarky Thanks! I appreciate that!
what a brilliant, clear and concise explanation, thanks so much for posting :-)
+citizenscriv You're welcome!
I immediately understood what it means thanks to this video. It's so obvious once you put it like that.
You're a really prominent teacher mate! Really enjoyed this well set and constructed lesson which is simple enough for dimwits such as myself to understand! Really well done! keep up the good work
+finparkour Thank you sir! Much appreciated.
🔴 thanks for clearing that up. Best explanation ever. I’m subscribing now! thx a bunch Micheal!
Thank you Michael. ..... You are very good at your explanations. Great job!!!
Good, simple, well explained chord progression video/key video, very good video man, keep it up and you should get lots of more views ;)!
+Heavy Metal For Life Thank you sir!
thank you mate. this is exactly the explanation i needed. gonna have a dig around and see if you expand further on dimished, augmented and sevenths. though the clever move i think would be to noodle on this a little rather than more youtube. thanks again
Helped me understand keys a ton! Love the explanations. Thanks, more lessons please.
Omar M Awesome! I'm glad!
it took you 35 seconds to explain beautifuly something it would take other people entire videos to over elaborate on.
+xxdvallesxx Thanks dude!
u deserve more fucking views dude :D
+Mohamed Gamal Thanks dude!
cheers bro
What do you mean "ridiculous country theme" country is awsome!!
Agreed :)
Once again, amazing teaching.
Thank you for this -it all makes sense now.
+sonny A I'm glad! You're welcome
Finally explained. And so clear. Thanks
Great lesson extremely easy to understand
8 years later, and this is the best explanation I've seen about this. Thank you :)
Great explanation! Im getting better at understanding how music flows. And why
This was about the best intro to chords I've seen
Thank You for making "Keys" easy to understand!
Rock solid information;
Damn, I am half way through the video and can already see how good that is ;D
Thanks! Glad you like it my friend.
Great video ... explains it with such clarity.
Best video on keys for sure! Thank you for learning us this.
Very well explained. One of the best lesson I've learned on chord progression.
Thanks for making it so easy to understand!
Would be good if you could explain the notes that you play when you change chord, the pick-up and such. Cheers !
Excellent teacher. I totally understood your explanation!
Great video I'm a complete noob but this does seem to make sense because of the way you explained it
Also. This is so old. And your so much younger in this video. I'm glad it was on my TH-cam home feed
Great class and explanation! Thank you! Bravo!
This, is brilliant!
+Yash Vardhan Thank you!
Very good explanation. You keep it simple for those who are just starting out. I hope you don't mind me putting my 2 cents worth in, I think it's a good idea to use some song examples to drive the point home. For example. In a 1-6-4-5 progression, a couple of songs that come to mind are unchained melody or love hurts. Maybe you covered that in some other lessons, I might be speaking out of turn. But great job anyway. Peace!
+victoryridin Gotcha. Yeah I will do that next time i make this video
+victoryridin I agree. I'll do that next time.
Man I like the way you explained this it really open doors for me
This video was made for me!! Wish I watched it on the day of launching. Thanks. This really helped.
dude i dont know your name this was the first video i clicked on and you have just explained years of work to me i play by ear basically im 28 since i was 12 just by myself and ive never understood "keys" and now i get it not even 5 mins into your video thank you so much
michael palmisano sorry if i spelt it wrong but thanks for real man just subcribed
Great sound man! Not a bit ridiculous it sounded great!
Thanks for the lesson
Thanks! You got it dude.
OMFG. . . You just changed my f’n life!
Wonderful lesson, thank you!
Great Lesson please keep them coming
Will do thanks!!
Very clear and informative. Thank you! Just joined your Udemy course.
+LovesToSpooge77 Thank you and glad you made it over to Udemy!
Great video! You're a good teacher you've helped me a lot.
Thanks so much!!
Best lesson, what makes guitar hard is how its taught, thanks easy to understand lesson
+R4 Kilimanjaro Thanks man!
Can you please make a guitar lessons playing solo and rhythm at the same time, thankyou
ON it. Stay tuned :)
Great lesson! I am becoming a fan of yours! How about the 3rd chord? How does it feel? It feels static to me. It feels sad as a minor chord but I feel it doesn't want to go anywhere
This video clicks. Thank you for finally answering all my questions!
This is excellent! Thanks, man.
I love that Peavey guitar you got there !! Looks like one EVH played
Really like that explanation, thank you.
leetf Glad you like it!
Great man, you country was amazing too!! 🤘🤘
amazingly explained. thank you
Thank you! Great video!
Best explanation ever. Thank you.
Only thing I dont understand is where the diminished comes in. For example the B in the key of C major. What function does it have?
great explanation. just gotta let it sink in. thanks bud !
So the “key” is the dialect and direction to base your jam off of based off of a certain note/chord?
Reminds me of when Stewie on Family Guy learned to play the guitar
Outstanding video, got me thinking and I have a question. So let's say we're playing 1-4-5 in the key of A which makes B #2. Let's say I want to throw in a minor-sounding or tension-building kinda lead fill or solo. Does that mean I'd want to fiddle around in the B-minor pentatonic scale? Or does that not work with the key of A?
Thanks Kelby! In the key of A, Bmi is the 2 chord. The other minor chord options are C#mi and F# minor (3 and 6 chords, respectively). With that being said, your question is confusing - I can't tell if you are asking about staying on the 1 4 5 progression and adding different sounds, or actually adding in a minor chord (Bmi) to the progression and improvising over that.
Here's the deal: You can play any scale over any chord - but it's the CHORD that dictates the tonality. So - for example - if you play Bmi pent over a Bmi chord you will get an entirely consonant sound as the scale contains all of the chord tones of the underlying chord.
On the other hand, if you play a scale that doesn't perfectly outline the chord tones you're playing over, like when you play Bmi over an A major chord, it's still the chord that dictates the tonality - so the notes in the scale will still be saying something ABOUT the underlying chord. This will yield different sounds in different scenarios, and you should experiment with them!
The main point is that it ultimately comes down to the sound of certain scale degrees over certain chords. The more you experiment, the more you will get used to the different sounds and you'll likely come up with cool stuff you otherwise wouldn't!
FOR EXAMPLE: playing the b minor pentatonic over a major will yield the scale degrees of 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 as it relates to the 1 chord, or A. So - you'll end up with a major ish sound, but with no 3rd, so a suspended sound if you will. TRY IT!
Sorry that my question was confusing but you still somehow managed to completely clear it up. Thanks so much for the help I am going to play around with this tonight!
Ah no worries! I know my response was really long, but I'm glad it helped!
thanks for the lesson. it's so clear.
+Vijay Kumar Thanks!
Stumbled across this video. So glad I did.
Yes! Love it. Thanks! Wants to go home!
You make more "common" sense than any other music theory lesson I've tried to understand.
this is exactly what i wanted. thank you!
where does it wanna go?
back home.
beautiful
all makes sense only question would be what if i was to play in key A minor for example? do i still consider it as 1 even though it isnt a Major?