Tonic Subdominant and Dominant: What do these terms mean?

Dominant, Subdominant and Tonic are terms that we use describe how chords function in a chord progression. Knowing how these work together is a great step forward towards being able to control your chord progressions and makes learning songs much easier as well!

00:00 Thesis
00:23 Introduction
01:29 Lesson
12:37 Wrap Up

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Thanks for watching!
Chris

[InsolentMusicalPeasant]

Can't get much clearer than that. It's actually a little frustrating that Music Theory was so mysterious to me for so long, when all it takes is good instruction like this to make it seem simple. Much appreciated.

[Roots]

This is the "why" question I've had at the back of my head for a long time.. excellent lesson. Thanks Chris. ❤

Anyone not signed to to Patreon/The Studio - it's this x100 for the price of a beer.

[Mike-rwnh]

Thank you so much for the quality of these uploads. I turn to them on a regular basis. I also use them as an absolute essential prior to a deep dive into a subject. Thank you. Have a glass of something appropriate on me. Seasons greetings and all the best for 2024.

[joycegrove]

I LOVED this lesson - juicy deep dive!!! Thanks Chris!

[joescmoe]

Excellent lesson, Chris! When you finally understand this stuff, it's a game changer. I learned this through my journey, and the way you teach it is so clear. Never forget the fundamentals, people! It's the foundation of all music.

[JCFern]

I’ll need to watch, more like LISTEN and train my ears to this a few more times…

But the potential of learning how to make conscious, informed decisions of which chords to select in relation to the chosen tonic, in order to generate the desired effect(tension/resolution), is too good to pass up. This is a deep dive, beyond simply saying “here’s a I-IV-V”, but rather “what and why” the chord progression functions as it does.

Another golden lesson to file into my pea-brain 🙏

[lukaszmikula]

I would add that move from major I chord to minor III chord is a saddest one. Even though we are in a happy major Key . When I say this at a party it is foliowed by embarrasing silence, that is why they do not invite me anymore. Cheers

[timsellsted]

Great lesson Chris! This makes so much sense. That leading tone explanation was a "lightbulb" moment for me.

[kdavis]

THis is a great lesson!!! I have always wondered this...once again, you show us the way. Mahalo

[joeurbanowski]

This is great stuff Chris..! Should be a fun weekend soaking up the new info.. and hopefully put it to use..👍🏼❤️

[tone-glide]

This is great! a little confusing in the middle for me, but ill watch this again. Very useful tools for writing! Thank you! Chris!

[ahallekatti]

very very helpfully interesting. thanks a tonne !

[ninertangojuliet]

Awesome. I’m playing around with sweep picking which really is a lot of fun. I mess around with common chord progressions like a 1 6 4 5 in C, so this should help add some color to it.

[donlessnau]

Well done, Chris. Great explanation. Thanks. Merry Christmas.