Yes. This is a very effective way to get to know chords and the common progressions. But there is a other aspect of this as well. Look at Warren. See how he varies the voicings of the chords. See how effortless it seems. So natural. One doesn't obtain this skill over night.
In the major scale, the 2 is a minor, the 5 is a major and the 1 or destination is a major and so for example C as the 2 in the B flat major scale has to be a minor chord and F as the fifth ought to be a Major and B flat as the one ought to be a major.....I hope this helps you understand why you start with a minor
Man...I wish someone would have told me this 5 years ago! That 2-5-1 movement through the cycle of 5ths is the best, most useful exercise I've ever learned. Thank you, Waren.
For myself, I must say that when I figured out this exercice it really liberated my playing so much. It is one of those rare “technical” exercices that are still very gratifying, and nearly meditative. Keep up your wonderful work , learn a lot here!
As a guitar player, I found this easier to use than other videos that use a keyboard, because its the theory that he's teaching, not fingerings. Good stuff, @PianoLessonwithWarren !
This blew my mind lol Every time I would practice 2-5-1 I would try to do it in my head (painful). Now I just know if I’m on a chord to go to the 4th. Beautiful.
I smashed the like! This is the most understandable video I've ever seen on the 2-5-1 chords progression, and combining it with the circle of fourths is brilliant 👏. Cheers! And Bravo! Cool background too: inspiring.
Real fun began when you tried these advanced chords for the progressions! chords & voicings sound great as always! thank you man for teaching us. cheers
The best teacher Ive ever had...been playing for along time...been praying and trying to get to the advanced level...thank you for being the answer to my prayers
Thanks so much. I'm someone who can only play jazz by learning one song at a time, laboriously. I'd heard people say to practice 2-5-1 in the circle of 5ths, but I never managed to make sense of that. The shift to minor to change the 1 into the 2 chord was the key! Now I have a gazillion drills to craft. Also, you're doing something else here that's great and you're not mentioning it. You're instinctively adjusting your inversions as you cycle down so that you stay in the same registers, and there's no descent into murky low chords and no huge voicing jump to stay out of the swamp. I'm going to have to watch carefully to see just how you do that.
@@PianoLessonwithWarren I have a question though. Have you learned those inversions and are able to instinctively adjust them due to practice or is there a way to memorize that?
Even though I'm practicing major scales at the moment, I watch your tutorials as they're posted. I'm wired for sound! I look forward to making progress! Thanks again for sharing your wisdom and gift of music! Much success to you!
Hi Warren. That was a brilliant video. I have watched it twice so far and intend to watch it several times more. It has clarified so many things in my mind. Belated thanks for making and posting it.
While watching SOUL, I thought of you and this video. Though I watch other videos you share, this one took me to another level, identifying inversions and such; that is always what I wanted to be able to do. So, THIS video is my personal Old Landmark that comes to mind when feeling grateful about what I know about music so far. You are such a gift as well as your family who supports you that you may share your time and ministry of music. Merry Christmas, Warren to you and your family. Be blessed.
amazing video! makes so much sense now definitely a GREAT way to practice because as you practice you are also training your ear to hear these variations! thanks so much!
I’m 4 months into learning the piano and this video really helped me better understand how to practically apply the circle of 4/5 to progression practice. It’s almost like learning the table of elements in chemistry. Once you know that, you understand the molecular structure of anything. Circle of 4/5 seems like the table of elements for music.
Hi Warren - I got bogged down with a sameness of style so your approach gives me a new horizon to aim for. Your time and skill is appreciated. Thank you.
You’re such an amazing teacher man! 🔥🔥 I’ve already improved so much in only 2-3 months thanks to your exercises, beginning 2021 I was still only daring to play all my songs in C abusing the transpose button (cause my first instrument is guitar and learning all the keys on piano always used to scare the shit out of me for years) and now just practicing your exercises like playing 1-4-5 in every key, practising the 2-5-1 like that, in only a few months I became comfortable playing in practically every key, you’re the best man, thank you for putting out these precious tips for free!!! 🔥🙏
You are my favourite piano teacher on RU-vid. Your content is useful, skilful and awe-inspiring, and you make me feel like I can become as good as you. Also, you're not trying to suck money out of me by keeping all the helpful content for premium members. However, it makes sense that some tutorials should be bought because you've got to make a living some how. I am planning to download something of yours pretty soon (as soon as I get the money), probably the guide for passing chords in the key of c. In the meantime, thank you for all you've taught me so far.
New viewer here. Excellent video. I LOVE how you don't assume everyone is already a piano god, and you have something for everyone...the mark of a good teacher! And I enjoy watching you make little mistakes. Makes you seem human and less intimidating! Great video!
I just wanna say, dude you teach so well! Just a few minutes in and you cut right to the heart of what your trying to explain, instead of gabbering aimlessly :3 you are one of the best teachers PERIOD! Too bad we don't have a Guitar Lesson with Warren :p
Hi Warren. I have to post a second time to thank you for this video. It can be sooo boring and uninteresting taking even complex chords with upper structures round each of the 12 keys, even round the circle of fourths. Here you have given us a tool to vary the chords going round the circle of fourths after switching to a minor chord first. Depending on what you play, it sounds musical, entertaining and simply gorgeous. I ask myself why it took so long to figure out such a simple exercise. It took you to show me and others how to make practice of the many chords I have been trying to learn sound so good. THANK YOU. IRIE!!
Absolutely love this piece, Warren! It was what I practiced today! I'm currently learning to play on keys and this has been absolutely helpful! Thanks a lot!
Hey I’ve been following for a while best teacher I’ve found on RU-vid well explained videos on each aspect really love it keep em coming thanks so much warren really learnt and still learning a lot from u god bless u
Omg. Can't focus now on my channel (Mobile Legends Bang Bang Content) because of this 2-5-1 progression. But thanks for this million-dollar video. I can now wisely manage my time practicing this 2-5-1 and uploading/editing videos on my channel at the same time. More power & God bless. Love from Philippines! 💖 🇵🇭
I heard one of my friends playing this and I was confused even after the person explained but your video really dissected it even though it’s 6 years old, it’s still profound. You’re a great teacher 🫡
Warren ... I took a break from practice to say thanks again for this tutorial. You're right. It did take time; but it was worth the grunt work. What I'm excited about today is recognizing the sound of the pattern in different keys and identifying the inversions. I admire how you use the language of the craft. I'd hear musicians hammer out chord changes during rehearsal and wanted to know how to do that. I hope to be fluent in musician speak one day! Lol! Okay now ... back to practice!
I just found this and I'm grateful to you. Very nice! I like that you pointed out to turn the major to minor after 2-5-1. I instantly heard All The Things You Are. I need more lessons from you!
This is awesome Warren..looking forward to reach this level..i can see a lot of wisdom here..thanks once again may the Lord Bless you more..Edmond from Zambia
5:31 --- nice!!! Thanks Warren. At first I didn't know why the '2' is C-minor. But can see now. So going from C major to B-flat major --- the '2-5-1' is based on the B-flat major key --- with the '2' of B-flat major key being a C-minor chord. And the '5' in B-flat major key will be a F major chord. And while applying the 2-5-1, I can see that the circle-chart (clockwise direction) shows a C then F then B-flat. These patterns really do tie-up. Also - it looks like (on that nicely created circle) --- once the C is drawn on the top of the circle, and with an 'F' placed as well ..... one possible easy-to-remember way (until we get used to the pattern automatically) is maybe to think of the word 'bead'. And then think of 'BEAD - Gee' or 'BEADG'. Then just have them all (ie. beadg) as flats. And to get the equivalent note of B-flat, E-flat, A-flat, D-flat and G-flat .... we just think of what letter precedes each one --- eg. A-sharp ties to B-flat (ie. A B), and D-sharp ties to E-flat (ie. D E) etc. Although, the A-flat of course is tied to G-sharp (ie.G A order). This is only for remembering the circle letters. But that recommendation of just playing chords by going up in fourths is really amazing and great. Thanks for teaching the method of close voicings too. Will definitely pay attention and remember all this. Thanks again Warren!! Excellent video.
Honestly i have watched close to all your videos....watching from Kenya though....2-5-1 just became more fun and colourful for me..I skipped this video months ago thinking it's the same thing i watch from other videos, but wait a minute something came up thing morning and i watched 3 of your videos and this being one of them...i don't realize time is moving in your videos...make even longer videos, it's even more helpful...I didn't like playing in the key of F but now it's one of my favs! Since i watching your videos!...I am so grateful for your teaching technique and for the humane spirit that God gave you. God bless you a bunches.
Just wish I could play half the way you do it I'm new and I am seeing so many of your videos. Just need to watch from the beginning while practing every step. May God bless you more
Making 1 minor means that you are not going through the cycle but jumping through the cycle in just 6 jumps instead of 12 steps. Going through the cycle means that each next 2-5-1 is one 5th lower than the previous one. Making 1 minor means that each next 2-5-1 is two 5ths lower than the previous one. And half of the keys in the cycle are left out, therefore you go through them separately. Two cycles 6 steps each instead of 1 cycle consisting of 12 steps. You can practice both ways, or even jump by three 5ths down - such a modulation is still smooth enough to be used.
OwMG.....Brother, you are really a wonderful teacher. A good musician that knows how best to teach what he plays..you can't only play fine but you also teach as good as you play. Thanks again for this one Warren.
Thank you. I really appreciate your clear explanations and demonstrations. You have inspired me to practice daily. I have enjoyed a number of your vids... love to hear you sing too :-))
