5 popular chord progressions and why they work

And, an extra special thanks goes to Douglas Lind, Vidad Flowers, Ivan Pang, Waylon Fairbanks, Jon Dye, Austin Russell, Christopher Ryan, Yu Kyung Chung, Toot & Paul Peijzel, the channel’s Patreon saints! 😇

0:00 Introduction
0:23 I V bVII IV
4:43 the Major scale climb
6:11 Pure Upright
6:57 I IV I V
9:26 the Phrygian vamp
11:20 IV I V

[SuitedAJ]

You should consider making a series of Spotify playlist based on each chord progression and songs that conform to it!

[pierreyveshuet]

So surprised that Fatboy Slim's "Praise You" doesn't appear in the last chord progression examples (IV/I/V/V), as David literally played it on the piano!

[monsieurmitosis]

I think another reason why the I-V-bVII-IV progression works is because a descending line cliche is implied. The C in the C, the B in the G, the Bb in the Bb and the A in the F. I use this progression in one of my original songs and I think it's my favourite song that I've ever done. I give credit to the progression itself.

[jacobkilstrom]

When you just talked about the last chord progression, it actually sounded like a rather common variation of The Mixolydian Vamp; bVII-IV-I-I, which is the same chord in the relative mixolydian scale (if it's written as F-C-G-G, it's just a question of wether C or G is the Tonic chord). Maybe that chord progression deserves a video about how the choice of tonic totally changes how it sounds. Example of songs where it sounds very mixolydian: AC/DC - It's a Long Way to The Top (the third title repeat in the chorus), David Bowie - Heroes (the chorus), Chear - Love Hurts (when she sings the title) and The Rolling Stones - Doom and Gloom (the prechorus).

[acpe]

BIG shoutout to ALL patrons keeping alive this AMAZING music education channel. Keep on rockin' David!

[mason]

I really like this "chord progressions and why they work" series of videos David, please keep 'em coming!

[niestuete]

While listening to David playing the piano for the last progression I was already thinking: "Yeah, that's 'Praise you'! It's definitely going to be the first example!" :D

[EricMakingWaves]

I made a google doc of all these popular chord progressions so I could have them all in one place at a glance. Thanks for all this. It's been such a good tool to practice with as a guitar player. Plus it's so good for writing new music--especially for more generic pieces for background in videos.

[deliusmyth]

“Is She Really Going Out With Him?” by Joe Jackson was my introduction to the first sequence. You can also hear it in Billy Joel's “It's Still Rock and Roll To Me”.

[slimhazard]

The “chord progressions” series has been very impressive, it‘s very revealing how different artists have made use of these musical ideas. No way, or so I would have thought, could Lou Reed and ”Turning Japanese” and the Cranberries have anything in common. Well, shows what I know.

[brain-thomas]

I've heard so many cool songs here in the mixolydian scale, I think I'll write a song in mixolydian when my current ones are done.

Thank you, David, for all the explanations of how and why these things work!

[guprovasi]

I’m always surprised when I see how many great songs share the same chord progression 😊👏🏻

[wyattstevens]

If the 5 chord of the first progression were minor instead, it would just be another rotation of the Plagal Cascade that you haven't talked about yet! By the way, love that you used OK Go as an example for that one- I've never looked at that chord progression so closely.
Besides, I don't think I realized that Do-Re-Mi used sequence.

[thezachmarsh]

My favourite I V bVII IV is probably Tunnel of Love. That progression just gives the tune so much drive.

[KMn]

I can’t think of where at the moment but I have definitely heard the first progression used as a way to extend the ending of other songs, where after the song resolves instead of ending it plays this progression just to add a little more power to the ending. It’s such a satisfying resolution

[ev]

Thank you so much David, every time I watch any of your videos always blows my mind. You are such an amazing teacher.

[Qajaqsreal]

My favorite examples of the I V bVII IV progression are Hey Hey What Can I Do, Celebration Day, both by Led Zeppelin and also One Rainy Wish by Hendrix. It’s also just my favorite chord progression in general

[rileyjones]

I'm a drummer but started playing guitar about a couple years ago and up till I recently came past this channel never really had a basic understanding of chord progressions which I struggled with getting into guitar. Since discovering this channel, I'm finding it's getting better slowly but surely. Thank you for this wonderful content my brother.

[blazingaqua]

Another couple of examples of the I V bVII IV progression is Fat Old Sun by Pink Floyd and Dean Town by Vulfpeck
Great video as always

[Crazy_Diamond_]

IV I V V has a very hopeful/aspirational sound to it. Because it's all major, you're always looking up. But because it doesn't end on the tonic, it gives this feeling that you're just not quite "there."