The Secret To Beautiful Chord Progressions

We're analyzing how Coldplay breaks the rules when writing music and how their chord progressions tell a story.

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Fender Telecaster - Source Audio Collider - Fender Deluxe
Miced with a beyerdynamic M160 and a Neumann TLM 102

Hi, my name is Paul Davids! I am a guitar player, teacher, producer, and overall music enthusiast from the Netherlands! I try to inspire people from all over the world with my videos, here on YouTube.

Thank you for watching!
Paul

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[micahbiesinger]

Paul- your editing and teaching skills are simply world-class. Thank you!

[ryleuty]

The fact that you've already created so many videos covering the chords numbers and STILL take a moment to briefly explain it is what makes you such a great resource. If you're looking for a good online course - get Pauls.

[xliquidflames]

"It's the diatonics, the chords made of all the notes in the scale." That sentence just unlocked something in my brain for some reason. I'm starting to understand for the first time how keys, scales, and chords are related to one another. I spent an hour comparing the Amaj scale to the chords you had on screen. It's all staring to make sense now. Don't ask my why it was that sentence and this video to finally make it click but... thank you.

[davidhollander]

You're a great presence on the internet, Paul Davids. A great teacher, a great player, and your tone is just so lush and lovely. Thank you.

[papersquares]

Chris Martin and the gang watching this video as they work on the next album: Pause it right there!! Write that down!! Write that down!!

[allayish]

You're not only teaching us how to play music
You're conveying the feeling of the scale and making us attached to it so beautifully

[kanesanders]

Paul's voice is so soothing and his video are so beautifully shot and edited.

[neils]

I’d love to see some Radiohead broken down this way. They have even more fun with it by borrowing chords. Muse does too to some degree.

[WHYARETHERENOHANDLESAVALIABLE]

Idc what anyone says, Johnny Buckland and Chris Marin are underrated guitarists…

Great vid Paul!

[l.g.]

Can't understand why Paul's guitar sound is ALWAYS the best I can imagine for what he's doing... Bravo Paul!

[arn]

After hearing Chris Martin talk about his song writing process, dude is gifted, has a basic understanding of theory but really doesn't shy away from just going with what sounds good without knowing how it's technically supposed to make sense. As is the case with many rock/pop musicians of course.

[traviscole]

This is one of the best videos I have seen to date that explains Western music theory in relation to chords, the Nashville number system, and Coldplay’s signature move to start on the IV chord. Thank you so much for making this!

[rackhamlerouge]

Love how Paul makes these concepts accessible to anyone, simple plain words of English to introduce the Lydian mode… Almost without saying it! Top notch teaching here sir

[druidavey]

It's something I've noticed over the years, how the Coldplay style of chord arrangements, giving that 'celebratory' kind of sound has influenced a lot of music that we use in corporate videos production for TV adverts etc. It's brightened things up considerably from the old fashion corporate video music of 15-20 years ago. Great video Paul. many thanks

[philatwood]

I don't play any instrument, but your lessons help me better hear and appreciate the richness and talent put into these songs. I now hear them in a new way. That's why I subscribed. Thanks for that.

[BettoniFerreira]

I was having a terribly bad day today, but YT recommended this video, and as always, it made me feel better, mate, thanks! Your lessons are the best!

[charbelalkobtawy]

Paul, with overwhelming guitar content on youtube, I find it very interesting and refreshing when you do song/theory analysis like this one. I can totally relate to your video as I am constantly analyzing a song in this same matter in my head and find it very hard to shut my brain and just enjoy the music. The IV chord is my favorite chord, the transition to the I chord or vice versa is my favorite progression, think Joe Satriani-made of tears, and whenever I got the chance, I always tried to end a song on the IV chord live, it kept people waiting…

[landrafter]

I've been playing and avidly trying to learn guitar for thirty years, but every time I take the trouble to watch one of your little lessons, I learn something invaluable. Thank you, sir. What a kind thing to do! Regards.

[gkl]

I've been with a guitar teacher years ago that helped me progress from a complete n00b to a halfway decent guitar player (at least I think '^^). But you my man, are going to be my future teacher of choice. Love your way of explaining things so much! I'm going to sign up to that Next Level Playing course a 100%... this is going to be my way to spend the winter months :)

[young__blacksmith]

Credit to anyone who can make learning music theory this fun and entertaining