The 2nd Most Important Music Theory Idea You'll Ever Learn.

The most important idea:

What does Yesterday by the Beatles, Just the Two of Us by Bill Withers, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen and Mamma Mia by ABBA all have in common? The answer: The 2nd most important harmonic idea in music theory: the 2-5-1 progression. This refers to inserting a sequence of chords (the "2" and the "5") before any target chord (the "1"). The "2" is a minor (or minor 7th) chord built on the note two semitones above the root of the target. The "5" is a major (or dominant 7th) chord, built on the note seven semitones above the root of the target. It's easy and simple, and once you get the hang of it you'll start seeing it everywhere!

TABLE OF CONTENTS
0:00 Introduction
0:43 The idea
3:20 Example 1
6:30 Example 2
10:40 Example 3
11:50 Some Theory
14:23 Example 4 (Jazz)
16:30 A bit more theory
20:54 Parting thoughts

[dsanj]

A 2-5-1 progression follows the Circle Of Fifths (as far as root notes go). Each chord resolves the prior chord and is therefore harmonically pleasing. The V-I is the most satisfying movement in Western music and the 2-5-1 progression is essentially two V-I resolutions in series.

[ardiris]

I believe you just taught 80% of Billy Joel's entire recorded library.
(:

[CallMeSmigl]

Casually and flawlessly explaining the whole concept of scale degrees and major chord progressions as a sidenote is something that other youtubers make five videos with clickbait titles about. Awesome channel!

[AmeeliaK]

MangoldProject: "don't overdo it"
Jerome Kern, writing "All the things you are": "too late"

[owen_bell]

The idea definitely needs a comeback! I absolutely adore the spicy motion it gives progressions.
These videos are always increadibly entertaining and useful, Thank you and keep up the amazing work!

[MangoldProject]

Extra points for anyone who spots the cat cameo! :)

(Edit: I had to reupload the video with a few minor corrections before the premier. My apologies to those who have had their comments deleted.)

[waxhead]

No matter how much older I become I find there is always something to learn and this is particularly so with music ... very well explained and demonstrated without any BS ...🙏🙏

[calokid]

In classical music education, the idea is really about the harmonic rhythm of moving from subdominant (not always II) to dominant, then to tonic. "2-5-1" is an example of this movement, but outside of classical we'd just think of variations on that as substitutions to the chords. You can also do this kind of movement on a formal level... Like your song can have a section in the key or mode of I, then another in the key or mode of II (subdominant), then another in section in V, then end in the section in I again. Taking it further, in classical music, the movements of a piece can also relate to one another like this. Have fun!

[reineh]

I never thought about it until you mention it, but this 2-5-1 is everywhere. If I would listen to my old CDs I would find it in a lot of songs. I might call the progression "taking of my shoes" when trying to find it in different songs.

[lawrencetaylor]

Merci beaucoup. I've learned to use 2-5-1 but this was the best practical description of why it is used Music theory can be daunting, but this was so smoothly presented that I didn't have a migraine. LOL

[rufogongora]

both videos have been awesome, I had already learned bout 2-5-1 but putting it together with last video about the subdominants it now makes sense, I would love to learn about building complex chords with extensions like you are on the jazz section!

[lr]

You sir have a great way of teaching. Thank you for sharing this knowledge, and doing so in such a clear and easy to follow video

[Dave-nmuk]

Very good reminder of ideas which I thought I knew. Showing how the methods work with different scales is also something which is easy to miss the first few times around.

[BBQDad]

Thank you for this great idea. Subscribed.

[skrijgsman]

I wish somebody had taught me tonicization before teaching the 2-5-1. It makes so much more sense to lead into the concept this way.

[jinsongeo]

Great Series on Mystery Chord progressions

[TheAtheistworld]

So in the end it can be called as: tonicization of a chord with a secondary supertonic+secondary dominant. Right? Super lessons, bro!!

[gabrielt]

Thank you Sir, it helps a lot. Needed this.

[cicik]

do not forget that that 2 is half- diminished and not simple m7 like here in video for: moll base and in specific resolutions to major base ( "pretending" 2-5 to minor but resolve to major or minor 4 as a dominant, kinds of these )

[metaspherz]

Thank you for your very helpful instructions! Cheers!