Masterclass: Chord Progressions

Learn our easy 6-step method that will take you from a blank screen to a great chord progression!

0:00 intro
0:45 - playthrough of the song (so far)
1:35 - the blank canvas is full of endless possibilities
2:15 - STEP 1: choose the scale/mode that reflects what you're feeling
3:12 - we chose Dorian, which sounds like the cloud with a silver lining
3:25 - STEP 2: choose a key note for your mode
5:20 - STEP 3: write out the mode from your key note
7:00 - STEP 4: write out all the chords in your mode
8:25 - root note vs key note
9:27 - the musical menu
10:44 - STEP 5: choose the specific chords that tell your musical story
11:04 - minor chords vs major chords
12:01 - our musical story
13:35 - choose the ratio of major chords to minor chords
15:40 - play with the harmonic rhythm (i.e. how long they last and when they change)
18:40 - play the chord that emphasizes Dorian
20:54 - STEP 6: use inversions and sus chords to make your chord changes flow
21:26 - make chord changes flow using common notes (i.e. how to use inversions in your chord progression)
23:15 - what happens when you have adjacent chords
24:55 - how to make a common note between adjacent chords (i.e. how to use sus chords in your chord progression)
27:27 - create a sense of movement without changing chords
31:02 - explore the melodies within the chords (i.e. the melodic approach to harmony) and the beginnings of counterpoint
32:08 - use the power of motifs to add familiarity and structure
33:16 - check the chord change from the last chord to the first chord
35:51 - playthrough of the final chord progression
36:54 - Ray's "piano test"
38:14 outro

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ABOUT
Hack Music Theory is the fast, easy and fun way to make music. Taught by multi-award-winning music lecturer Ray Harmony, and his protégé wife Kate. Ray started teaching music theory in 1995, and has made music with Serj Tankian (System Of A Down), Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), and more!

COPYRIGHT & CREDITS
© 2017 Revolution Harmony
Revolution Harmony is Kate & Ray Harmony
Script & music in video by Revolution Harmony

[ferbieism]

How many world class composers, musicians, artists do I
know who share their passion and knowledge for free?? Ray is setting
the bar high and turning the tables on an oversaturated autotuned
beat repeat music culture that has numbed listeners ears (hearts) for decades.
Revolution Harmony and the team are committed to bringing out the
best in music artists and composers, no matter the genre or experience. This teaching
series will take away the mystery behind music theory and you will create music that
will change your life!!!. Ray's teaching style is revolutionary, educational, motivational and sparking creative fires in all who study along. Thank you Ray, you are a treasure and music genius, lucky

[StephenLewisful]

Your videos have explained so much about how to create good chord progressions using common notes so the triads aren't jumping all over the place and I just found you guys yesterday. Goodbye cowboy chords. I will contribute to your channel as soon as I am able. Thank You so much.

[keen]

You are a phenomenal teacher: patient, clear, perfect pauses, pure knowledge-related content and applicable techniques. You two make an exceptionally well-connected and effective team.

[astrofunkofficial]

I learned the Berklee program from my piano teacher years ago, and I am always looking for more information on actual application of this knowledge I have. I always struggled using this info because it was taught through the jazz lens which i never write and for whatever reason I have always had issues with the application process. I found your channel a day ago and I have to say you guys may be the best teachers I have ever seen on the internet for applying and using music theory. I wrote a melody last night after watching a few of your videos and was blown away at the improvement using some of your techniques. You guys are amazing keep up the great work!

[hyphend]

All I could think about during this video was the E-minor chord reminding me of Minecraft - Sweden. This was an incredible video by the way, thank you so much for helping me finally start composing music!

[tanviralmas]

sir, I'm so grateful to you, I can't express enough

[keen]

"When chords melt into each other, it's delicious."- Harmony

[EdokLock]

This is maybe my 4th time watching this video/series.I believe that this is by far the most interesting and beneficial guide to writing and composing a solid music and I mean BY FARI enjoy these episode more than the pdfs since its like entering a lecture of a subject that I love.Just one note I wanted to add is that across these episodes I think that you guys missed the Drums episode or maybe you didn't need to do one, even if its going to be a short one, I find your lectures to be really interesting.

[stuartleighton]

This is one of my favorite YT channels now. Bought the book and the video of the book, and am now tempted to do the Apprentice course. Has anyone bought this course that can give me their opinion about it?

[unluckypanda]

wow this is old... really shows how much you improved in these 3-4 years! :0

[istillsuckatguitar]

I LOL'd at the intro. That was awesome.

[OpusLoveProductions]

So I started working along with you on this today and in a half hour I have an incredible song started. Thank you.

[amosluyk]

Blown away by this.... clarity where before there was only confusion... Thanks :)

[seanrimada]

Omg, the moment I saw this is 40 min long I felt how this sativa puf is going to get me though with no other mean than beauty contemplation. Thanks for the video, haven't been able to purchase the Video series you did for Warp Academy but is surely on my list... after my country's economy gets better lol. (just before the Youtube loading finished, ahhhh!)

[glowwormband]

Hi, Revolution Harmony. I have watched a few videos and now am back to the start of this series to catch as much as possible. I don't often comment on YouTube, but just wanted to say how much I've appreciated what I'm finding on your channel. As a classically trained musician who has spent the majority of my music career post college producing in my bedroom, your approach is refreshing. I usually find music production videos too shallow and tasteless, while the classical or "serious" community does not share my same interests. Thank you for assuming the intelligence of your audience while being down to earth.

[DavidJamesMusic]

If its not too much to ask. Would it be possible for you to do a video on how to go from a verse chord progression into a chorus chord progression?   Would love to see your take on it. Thanks for your great videos btw!

[callumalston]

I can’t say thank you enough, I was utterly stuck in a musical rut until I decided to just try to learn from your videos after randomly stumbling upon them, they’ve been extraordinarily useful, thank you

[eop]

Great video! Really opened up my mind on how to apply emotion with chords.

[ttaryonn]

Decided to read your e-book first before watching the whole video, cuz it's been awhile since i left musical school. And damn this is the first music theory book that made me laugh out loud, your sense of humor is priceless. Thanks for sharing your knowledge in such an awesome way!

[quixotic]

Damn... Your tip about common notes maintaining the same position through inversions is golden. Can't believe I've just heard it for the 1st time. Thanks Ray!