The first class of chords taught here, the default chords, are all DOMINANT chords. They are easily built by starting on the 5th note of a major scale (called the DOMINANT) and skipping notes. Keeping this in mind, you can envision every extension or number in a chord label (7, 9, 11, etc) as referring to the mixolydian scale, which is also called the DOMINANT scale. I still don't know why this is the way it is though lol.
Looked at that way: [1] Major chords are 3rds stacked from the tonic around Mixolydian. Given E Mixolydian: E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D E to G♯ = M3 G♯ to B = m3 B to D = m3 D to F♯ = M3 F♯ to A = m3 A to C♯ = M3 [2] Minor chords are 3rds stacked from the tonic around Dorian Given E Dorian: E F♯ G A B C♯ D E to G = m3 G to B = M3 B to D = m3 D to F♯ = M3 F♯ to A = m3 A to C♯ = M3 [3] Diminished chords are 3rds stacked from the tonic around Phrygian dominant. Given E Phrygian dominant: E F G A♭ B♭ C D♭ E to G = m3 G to B♭ = m3 B♭ to D♭ = m3 D♭ to F = M3 F to A♭ = m3 A to C = m3 [4] Augmented chords are 3rds stacked from the tonic around Ionian Augmented #2. Given E Ionian Augmented #2: E G♭ G♯ A C C♯ D♯ E to G♯ = M3 G♯ to C = M3 Well almost.
@@Not_Even_Wrong Likely you are right because the 7 in Mixolydian always is a ♭7 relative to the 7 in Ionian. But likely this: INT. Smoke-filled Bar -- NIGHT Musician #1 Hey how do I play that E7 that dominant chord? Musician #2 Easy! Play a major but be sure to play a minor 7th rather than a major 7th. Musician #1 I don't know the intervals! Musician #2. No prob man. You know the Mixolydian scale? Musician #1 Sure do man. Musician #2 Start on the tonic and count inclusive, picking every three tones. That last tone, the seven in Mixolydian is a flat seven. So an E7 is E G♯ B D. All that is in the Mixolydian scale. Musician #1 Thanks man, you are a cool cat.
@SuperDerezzed I love Rick Beato but he doesn't explain things in the easiest terms. Jake explains it all in english lol. I never could quite get what Beato was saying.
@@hunterprice3320 I understand Rick Biada because it took me years to learn that shit on my own but Jake definitely does make things easy for people I watch his channel so I can figure out how to explain theory concepts to other people or at least the best way to do it because he makes it more accessible for people to don't understand
This is why you're the best. Nobody else has EVER told me that 7 is flat by default, min is only referring to the 3rd and maj is only referring to the 7, because it's flat by default! This is critical information and yet after 3 years of constantly surfing RU-vid for guitar videos, I've never even heard anyone HINT at this! So thank you SO much Jake! Super stoked that you're back!
@@SignalsMusicStudio We're very grateful for everything you do here, Jake. Amazing material, very concise and well explained. It's because of you that I, and I'm sure for many others, can parse, write, and appreciate more complex music with relative ease, intuition, and deliberation. I never fully grasped modes or voice leading until I watched your videos. We love you, Jake! Thanks.
Yes! I learned that "minor" always refers to the 3, but I don't remember ever learning that "major" always means the 7. Mind blown. My life just git so much easier!
If there's such a thing as a virtuoso TEACHER, that's what you are my friend. A professional who ascended beyond all others and mastered the skills of not only knowing about a subject, but about TEACHING said subject effortlessly and effectively. Bravo.
Of all the music theory content I’ve consumed, this is perhaps the most important, most helpful lesson I’ve encountered. I STILL get tripped up on chord naming. I’ll go back, look things up, study it again and think I’ve finally got it sorted and memorized once and for all, only to find myself under pressure in the heat of a moment, getting confused and unable to remember for certain what the convention is 😫. You presented this info so well, and it’s so well organized, that I may be able to keep things straight once and for all. I’m saving this video for future reference and study and I’m considering ordering your full book. Keep up the great work. Sincere thanks! 🙏💛🎶👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I have 30 years of experience as a musician and had many teachers and read many books and in 20 minutes you explained chord theory to me that finally can say I understand it and it makes sense…especially minor 6th chords that always confused me thank you!! And don’t you dare leave RU-vid again we need you lol
It would've taken Rick Beato 9 years to explain this and it wouldn't have been anywhere near as clean, clear, impactful and punchy. Which is no knock on him, he's great for a million things, but you have a way of presenting piles of information in logical, sequential, digestible bites that stick the first time and stay. Baby Beato is back, baby! This was a great review for me and probably a revelation and lifting of the veil for so many others.
honestly can’t stand how slowly he moves through the material, and gets redundant, even though he’s got great content Jake delivers straight to the point, no long anecdotes or cyclical explanation
@@kozmobluemusic Rick has alot of great stuff but the instructional stuff is a slog. The interviews and song breakdown/analysis can be great, the chats, but the instructional stuff and constant discount code... Anyway, can't believe Jake's delivery and compact quality-- this dude was missed during the great Writing of the Codex period.
Rick Beato is a great guy with great stuff-you shouldn’t knock him on someone else’s channel. If you don’t have something positive to say, then don’t say it Or at least say it to his face.
I paused at 04:27 to notice that I just understood 11ths and 13ths for the first time. This is huge for me! I'm really just a percussionist. The logic is really solid.
I just lost my drummer RIP May I ask why you have an interest in music theory? Mabey we could collaborate 🤨 I play guitar, bass and keyboard Thanks 👍 Michael
If i could leave a tip i would. This is THE best description of these harmony representations I have seen in 15 years of playing guitar and studying music. Hats off for explaining something so seemingly simple; simplistically.
Indeed! And, speaking of donating ... if someone is going to offer discounted material to those that find the cost a challenge, I would like to support that directly. If there is a way, let us know.
Your communication skills are a cut above. This will help a lot of players to understand what was very confusing when first trying to gain some theory knowledge.
I’m teaching myself bass guitar, and I have to say you are the teacher for me. You make sense. I love Beato, he has such great knowledge, but much of it goes over my head. You are able to teach without arrogance or ego, yet you have amazing talent to both teach and play. The saying “those that can not do, teach”, doesn’t hold true for you. You are a great musician, and thank you for sharing your knowledge. You’ve helped me understand so much, I thank you.
As an explanation as to why the flat seventh is the default, it's because 1, 3, 5 and flat 7 form a 4:5:6:7 ratio of the frequencies (or at least close enough), so sounds the most harmonic.
I assume that writing your book gave you a new found synthesis superpower, because the way you were able to condense so much information in a 18min video while still keeping it simple to understand is just incredible. Probably the best video about chord construction I've seen on youtube.
The first ten minutes of this video alone clarified things in music theory that have been confusing and difficult for me for 40 years! Thank you! Also, best way to sell a book, ever! Well done!
I really like to imagine myself getting really proficient on guitar and music theory and then doing explanation/teaching videos without a pay wall just to help others since I know the struggle. You are a great guy!
Great video Jake! Amazing presentation and editing. I used to get confused when I would read that the 9th can be sharpened or flattened but the 11th can only be sharpened and the 13th can only be flattened. It all became clear when I realized a "flattened 11th" is a third and a "sharpened 13th" is a flat seven. Light bulb moment.
Boom! You've just blown my little mind. Thanks for such a clear and concise lesson on how the western chord naming convention relates to actual chords! Genius!
EASILY the most informative RU-vid video, or discussion of music theory I have EVER HEARD. PERIOD. I’m sitting here just blown away….the world just got so much simpler and easy to interpret! Thank You!
I bought your book and it has already improved my piano improvisation tremendously. It connected a lot of dots and showed me how the pieces all fit together. I absolutely recommend it to anyone on the fence about it. There's a lot of really practical information and exercises.
Great lesson! One minor correction on the PDF: in the b5 block, the 5s of the four chords shown should be b5s. This is probably obvious to most readers, but I point it out because it's inconsistent with how you handled the other sections.
Man, I sure hope whatever sense of gratification you get from making these videos is at least as great as the sense of appreciation I have when I watch them. You share your wealth of knowledge so brilliantly. Can't thank you enough.
Hey Jake, I really want to thank you for opening my eyes to studying music over the years. I spent a lot of time (10 years?) feeling unconfident & confused about how to communicate music with other musicians, ask questions about theory or even know where to begin. For a long time I thought music theory was this ferocious beast that would make me ‘book smart’ but that would sap all of my creativity and “precious cacophony”, if you will. But instead, it has been a rewarding and idea-fostering journey & tool. I bought your codex book the other week, and even just reading a few pages at a time each night has pulled me out of a songwriting rut and lead to at least 20 new song ideas. You are an inspiration and help to so many like me. Thank you for continuing to make content, and for creating a path for countless others like me who were too lost to know where to turn or too embarrassed to ask others how to progress. I won’t quit before Chapter 5! And if you see this, I hope you have a good one & always remember what a help you are. Cheers!
I don't play guitar but I have learned so much from Jake since he uses the note names and not fret/string examples - I can easily move this knowledge to piano/keyboard.
Man , it is so good to have you back !!! You made understanding the chords and how they are built much easier !!! No other teacher on RU-vid has been able to break it down to me like that !!! I've always been a bit intimidated by all the different chord types which made being able to use them much more difficult!! Thank you for breaking them down for us !!! So glad you're back !!!
I’m always looking for different ways to think about this subject, the way you present the material is very interesting and illuminating, I believe. Thanks for doing this. I’m definitely checking out your book.
WOW!!!!!!! WHAT A PDF!!!!!! CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS REAL!!!!!!!!!!!! You’re a blessing man!!!! This could not have come at a better time. It’s like you’re reading my mind bro. I’ve been scouring the grimoires trying to do exactly what youve done. Again, a BLESSING
SMS honestly this lesson is the most important and best music theory lesson on RU-vid..... When you start making the transition from beginner to mediocre player you understand the concept but when you go from mediocre to a little advance you really start to see the relationship. Great video... I suggest you watch this video everyday for about a month if you're a newbie. It will pay off in the next few months of your playing journey.
You are such an amazing teacher! Thorough concise and very easy to understand while not being full of yourself. Thank you so much! I highly recommend the online courses to anyone!
I've been playing for 20+ years. An i've learned so much more in just last few years watching your videos than i had in the previous 20. Much thanks to you. Your videos are absolutely priceless.
You just taught me more with this single video, then I have learned the last 45 years playing guitar. Focused, crystal clear and straight to the point. Great job man.
I've been stabbing at the theory portion of music on my plate for many years by now. So some of the the things I've learnt makes this video the best info I've ever come across. Nothing short of a revelation for me. Thank you and I will consider purchasing the digital version of your book when available.
Welcome back ❤️🙏🏻 I am so happy to see you. And of course I am blown away with how helpful is the content. And of course I am very grateful for your contribution to the music community. Thank you thank you thank you!🙏🏻
Wow. This is the most excellent succinct overview that clarifies and explains the most important “chord chemistry” concepts in very very simple terms. THANK YOU.
Man I found your videos around this time last year and was worried something had happened to you lol but im stoked to see you are uploading lessons again. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!
I can't thank you enough Jake, I've watched every single video of this channel and it's beyond words to express how effective and useful to me all these contents are ! Keep on brother , I give my tons of heartfelt thanks to you, waiting forward to seeing your upcoming ones...❤
Jake, you are dead right, that has clarified and unified isolated nuggets of musical theory I ‘knew’ but did actually understand. There’s one point I must make, though: piano players have a FAR easier time when they want to build these chords. We guitar players not so much because of the arrangement of strings. But thanks for that. P
This is the most concise and comprehensive presentation I've heard on the subject. I mean this genuinely. You've answered every question I had. I've been a musician for over 50 years and have run across all of these symbols and not always 100% confident of my interpretation. After this video, I now am. I fully understood and can easily retain this information. Greatly appreciated!
I'm such a newbie I honestly didn't learn all the chords in just 18 minutes. Every one of your videos just let's me know just how rich music and composition are. Your knowledge is stunning. Enough drivel. Thank you again.
This is the most helpful, and most we'll laid out video I've ever seen. No fluff. Just good stuff. Really, Really well done. I've actually picked up alot of very useful information on the first listen. Thank you.
So good to hear your lessons again. You always clean up the parts I've jumbled in my head, remind me of what I've forgotten and show me something new. So appreciative. Thanks.
Jack ! Every lesson you make is a real gem. To the core, really well presented, and a pleasure to hear. Happy to get your music chords codex book.. priceless! Keep going, such a pleasure to follow you. 🎸
Hey Jake, just got the Codex in the mail today! I am eager to dig into it starting later this afternoon. Love all the things that I am learning from you. Thank you for your content. As an aspiring songwriter and musician, I am appreciative of the content,
Simply put, this is one of the greatest videos i have EVER come across! Comprehensive and simply described. Using this to teach my daughter guitar. Hats off to you!
Your explanations as always, are as clear as can be. Glad to see you're back and looking forward to your future A+ videos. You've just been bookmarked.
I’m new to this channel and was sad to see you had stopped posting. You’re a fantastic teacher and your lessons are so well-thought and structured. I just sent your voice leading video to one of my students and I can use that as a base to build a whole other lesson around. Thank you for all of your hard work we appreciate you 🎉🎉🎉
![The SMART Way To Think About Chord Names and Labels [+FREE PDF] [MUSIC THEORY LESSON]](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
