4 Tips for Writing Ambient Chord Progressions 

Thank you 8-bit Music Theory. Chords: Major or Minor, sometimes 5ths / 4ths. I don't think in terms of 9ths / 13ths - but it's where the bass note is in relation to the chord inversion. Dissonance is intended - never accidental. Composition driven by how it feels. Close spacing of intervals derived from hardware limitations - but I still use this technique as it compartmentalizes instrument specific frequencies over the harmonic spectrum - everything has its' place. I try not to over-think it.

"Use smooth voice leading." *Donkey Kong vocalizes* very smooth voice

the aquatic ambiance theme gave me some seriously surreal dreams as a child

"A lot of rules can be broken" he said while glitching Mario Kart 64.

David Wise was a wise man indeed.

High quality, worth-more-than-money-can-buy musical analyses on beautiful video game music pieces. *_WONDERFUL!_*

David Wise's stuff is always the best

THICC chord extensions

1:17 Oh boy, there was a hidden cave? Now I have to get out my old Nintendo again - Thanks for that :/

You touched on something that has always grabbed my attention when it comes to compositions, something that I call "contextual justification" because I have no other name for it. I'm wondering if it has a name. For example, when trying to figure out a chord while learning a piano piece, sometimes you'll get the chord right, but it will sound wrong. Chords with "forbidden" or ugly intervals that, on their own, are quite unpleasant to listen to. However, when the surrounding music gives each of the notes in the chord a "justification" for being there, it suddenly sounds pleasant and harmonious, constants being a simple example of how this can be achieved. Does this concept have an official music theory name?

After school today I saw this in my sub box and was watching it. My friend was next to me, and at 2:58 he asked me with the most confused voice “wait, WHAT did he just say?”

That was a very good explanation. You would not believe how hard it can be to explain constants some orchestra players. I make use of this in all of my music, as I love the way different chords illuminate the main melodic pattern. It's like life progressing, with the circumstances changing.

those ledger lines tho

That B-flat Add2 voicing is straight out of the Steely Dan playbook. It's most prominent (with more colors at times) on Peg from Aja. It's one of my favorite kind chords to play, too!

That may have been the most jarring choice for outro music after a video about ambient music!

This is one of your best videos yet :D

I have a strange feeling you love David Wise's ambient music. Not sure why.

This is awesome; so great that you also focus on the less conventional melodically-driven pieces, but also these terrific soundscapes and what makes them special. Still always get chills when I listen to Aquatic Ambiance.

I know almost nothing about music theory and I still watched this video

I just started writing some ambient chiptune pieces of my own and this video is a godsend. Great advice and a lot to think about!

Thank you so much for this video! It inspired a piece of music I just wrote tonight. Your channel has been so crucial to my development as a composer, I can't stress enough how lovely it is to have someone break down music analysis while presenting it so concisely and clearly with visual and aural aids. You're awesome and many of us are grateful for your content, keep it up!

Been waiting for this! Thank you. Was worth the wait!

Dude your videos are the best..... blending my two favorite passions..... well done!

Thanks for this! I have been a long admirer of David Wise's work so it is great to see it analysed like this. Not only that but I have been wanting to write an ambient music album for a while and honestly I have picked up some great tips from this video! Thank you so much!

This video is so amazing and really brings together so much of what I like about really well crafted ambient music. Thank you, thank you, thank you for making videos that go deep like this!

As a self-taught musician who's still learning the ropes and loving every minute of it, I don't understand the technical elements behind much of what this video is conveying. But, I do appreciate it very much and I've watched it twice trying to glean as much out of it as I may. I prefer more aggressive music such as EPIC, cinematic, and orchestral compositions, but I have recently come to love ambient music like that which is spacey, cosmic, and creates the sense that one is journeying through space and time. Learning more about chord progressions -- making them smoother and less jarring -- is what you've explained in great detail and exactly what I've needed. Thanks!

Love your intuitive analysis of the compositions...puts some structure and words to things I'm occasionally doing with improvisation and giving composition some more context...😌🎶🙏

Man! What'a channel. Just discovered it yesterday and I am freaking out on how awesome your analysis are. A big hug from Brazil

Donkey Kong Country 2 has the best music of any game, I think. There's never a bad spot. Never a misstep. It's just heaven level to level.

So interesting and helpful! I love your series :D

It feels like you're reading my mind sometimes. I was just planning on getting into ambient music and I had nowhere to start, and now you've given me everything I need to start exploring the genre! Thank you!

This has helped me to understand some of the stuff that I love about the music I write. Absolutely invaluable

One of the best analytic video I've seen on the master of ambient, Sir Wise! Hope to watch some more of your great content.

I find myself watching all of your videos twice a year. And i needed to come back here and just thank you. This video REALLY helped me write an ambient 2 chord vamp on a synth pad

I have no idea what im watching but its so well explained, I can't look away

Thank you! Your channel is amazing!!

I could watch this video all day everyday! Your analysis and subsequent explanations are amazing.

just came across your channel again. absolutely brilliant stuff.

Your analyses are great! Love this channel!

I feel like dynamics are really important for getting a really nice soothing ambient sound. You can see the arpeggiated parts or even the chords having various dynamics, crescendos, etc.

Thank you for covering DKC, one of my favorite series. And the attention Aquatic Ambiance and Stickerbrush Symphony are, I feel, especially deserved. These songs are truly magical, and the first time I heard them I was breathless.

It's not often that you find a video as good as this! Holy God I'm blown away!!!

awesome video!!! really appreciate having the sheet music on screen, and especially the discussion of the stacked intervals. different way of thinking about harmony than i have in the past, very cool!!

This was very educating. I have subbed. I've never been able to read music or wrap my head around music theory until I've discovered your channel, and now I love to think about the reasoning behind compositions rather than just 'hearing' it. Gives a totally new perspective on enjoying music and the subtleties between different artists' styles.

Love David Wise and your efforts!

Dudeeee your channel is so good! I'm learning so much, thank you!

I'm in love with your analyses.

i always geek out when i see there's a new vid by you, and i'm never disappointed. insightful work, as always!

Possibly my favourite video of yours yet. Great stuff.

Amazing analysis! Aquatic Ambience is the only on that triggered my memory from the game. Love those flute sounds. Loved the breakdown

Just an amazing video. Thank YOU!

you are such a good youtuber! love what you do so much man

Incredible video, very insightful! Looking forward to more like this from you.

Another incredible video. Amazing work, man!

Aquatic Ambience is one of the best tunes from video games because, you know the location it sounds best, a cruise.

This has to be my favourite channel HANDS DOWN! Thank you for the great content, there’s nothing better than music and video games :)

Your tutorial came to me via algorithm and it got it right. Superb content packed 11 minutes. Thank you. I'm gonna check out your other tuts now.

I've been in love with ambient music before I even knew what ambient music was. Excellent choice in tunes. DKC has always been dear to my heart from childhood. This video is so educational and and only rekindles my love for music. Thank you so much for making this and all your others, too.

It’s really nice. First time i stumble upon the channel and it helped me understand music theory a little more. I may patron you my dude

Awesome explanations. Never seen such a good analysis of David Wise's work!

This is by far my favorite channel of recent. Great stuff!

Excellent video! Love the high-quality examples. David Wise really was a pioneer in video game music.

Perfect timing! You always seem to know just what i'm looking for

Great vid. David Wise is awesome.

man, i'm so glad you covered this!!) i was looking for this topic among your videos yesterday when i saw that Disasterpeace video because one of the tracks there sounded almost exactly like Aquatic Ambience and here you are - making a video out of that too! I'm learning so much from watching these, so thank you!)

One of my new fav channels 👌🏽

Excellent video. Thank you for enhancing my song writing.

I love this channel!

Great analysis and content as usual man. Props!

This video was in my recommended list and I'm so glad I found it.

This video is downright amazing. I hope I am able to apply something I learned. Will watch again and again!

Yes! This is what I needed, Thank you!!

Love these videos! Has really helped me out in my AP Music theory class. Thanks for making these and i wish you the best of success in the future ^.^

This channel is simply amazing, thank you very much.

Thank you so much for this video! I needed to have a rewatch ^_^

I think covering the great soundtrack behind this series was very "Wise" of you. And I love how keep everything simple and don't get caught up in all the complicated "(Jungle) Hijinks" of music theory. You K. Rool man!

I don't think I've ever had ambient music and its basic principles explained to me so well. Thank you!

I want to continue thumbs upping this forever, if I could, please. Wise's three example tunes in this video are my all time favorites!

I like the tip format of video. Nice!

Your videos are the best! So easy to follow and implement. I'd gladly donate to your Patreon for more content like this!

This is really a brilliant discussion. I'm not aware of many formalised resources which establish 'rules' for this genre, but in one short video, you've done just that. Bravo!

Great video yet again!

Tip #1 1:46 Tip #2 3:29 Tip #3 5:59 Tip #4 7:22 Thanks so much for this review it's awesome!!!

Great video as always, David Wise is AMAZING

I learned so much about music theory in your videos, so i improved the style of my own soundtracks for my game. I am very thankfully!

This is expertly done. Educational and nostalgic.

Donkey Kong Country 2 is my favorite OST of all time by far. Formal training or not, David Wise's music is truly master class.

These videos are fantastic!

Amazing video! It inspired me a lot

My favorite video yet. This is exactly my style of composing.

Nice. Featured my top 3 songs from this series! Then again, I really like ambient music. Now I just understand why a little better!

YES! Like you, I eat up that inverted V voicing - that exact same voicing. God in heaven it's just so beautiful. As it happens, no single piece of music has influenced anything I write more than "Aquatic Ambience." I constantly find myself inverting V chords to avoid committing to a particular direction, and to make transitioning to a root iii sound like a "circle of fifths" maneuver. And whenever I use a pad sound - whether it's front and center, or cleverly in the background - just by instinct, I find myself using smooth voice leading for it. Nothing is better for grounding the whole piece. No matter what chaos I toss in elsewhere, even rhythmic chaos, the techniques I picked up from that freaking game provide an immovable center of gravity that makes everything make sense. Holy hell, I'm so glad this video exists. I only just found you, but...I had to smash that subscribe button. I HAD to!

THANK YOU for this video!!

im so glad i subscribed to this channel!! these tips are rly cool and useful

I love this channel. Thank you for making it exist. 💙💚💛🧡💜💖❤

such a great theory video with awesome music - thank you!

Bro thank u for making these videos

6:49 Ah, my favorite chord progression! Thanks for showing me! I’ll add it to my collection!

that's like 16-bit Music Theory :^ >

Geez, always knew these songs were great, and now I know why I loved them so much. David Wise is just amazing.