Songs to help you recognise chords in a progression

The best way to think about chord progressions is in the abstract, in other words, removed from any particular key. So, rather than refering to chords with alphabetical names like "C, F, G", we can use numbers to describe their relative function in the key, "I, IV, V". And by memorising an example or two of each chord function, it can make it much easier to pick out a chord progression by ear.

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

0:00 Introduction
2:04 V
3:30 IV
4:23 vi
5:15 ii
6:30 iii
7:08 bVII
8:05 II
8:55 III
9:38 VI
10:22 v
11:11 iv
12:23 bII

[tatjbere]

Perfect examples, never get tired of the Beatles and Radiohead and some surprises 😄

[NeonRadarMusic]

Man, David. I was trying to explain this to a kid recently and I simply couldn't explain it as wonderfully as you did. Keep inspiring not only musicians, but also teachers :)

[Tzadeck]

This is probably one of the more useful music theory videos on YouTube I've seen . Thanks dude.

[brawln]

This is the exact type of video I was looking for. Im trying to train my ear to recognize specific chord progressions and remember songs with certain chord progressions because I think it will help me alot. Thanks for the video :)

[mateusbmedeiros]

Hey David, just wanna let you know (if you ever read this comment, that is) that this is one of the worst problems I never knew I had when building my chord progressions.

With those nice examples of songs that make effects of different chord changes on their respective context clear, I started to memorize the feelings of each change and now when writing I can think of the effect I want and search around there instead of trying random chords.

Thank you very much for this invaluable content.

[EduardoSilva-smdf]

I/ bII is used in flamenco very often. Thanks for share your theory knowledge! 😊

[biancabasjes]

I instantly thought of perfect day when you started talking about the iv chord!

[fantasticflyingfrogs]

I am a music teacher, and your popular chord progression videos have been so helpful to me. Thanks, and if you feel like making more of those, I will love them!

[reillywalker]

Another good example of the I–III chord function is in "Stand by Me" by Oasis. Its main progression starts with G followed by B7.

[TheKiteless]

I must admit I'd never had thought a I > v progression would sound as sweet as that! Colour me surprised

[smeerkees]

The chorus of 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' by The Beatles (George Harrison) helps me recognize the I - III progression. The Chords are also A to C#m. Some fifths are used aswell in the chorus!

[theju]

I love that you add the Beatles in all your videos

[theavitaravitar]

As a guitarist, I've learned so much musical theory from you. I thank you immensely!

[danielfcamerop]

Freaking amazing!!! Basic knowledge of music in youtube is getting better and better every day because of kind souls like you. I deeply appreciate it 💖

[mlasch]

David, my friend, Ray posted this in our Guitar forum. Not only he, but myself and many other of our members really liked your presentation. Thank you.

[Anton-fncd]

Great video. I think "Hey There Delilah" would be another good example for the iii chord :)

[RonaldBarron]

I’ve played music for 30 years and your videos are the absolute best explanations I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing

[louiseogden]

The latter part of the video about less common chord functions is amazing -- it is how I choose my favourite songs. That dissonance gets me going emotionally and physically and those are the songs I just feel most while listening to. It's cool to know precisely what I'm responding to when listening.

[vprajapa]

I have been following David for a while and David keeps outdoing himself. I follow many youtubers that do similar things but David makes it very accessible and bitesize. I always learn something very clearly out of his every video.

[Traceleeholland]

You can also use a minor4 chord right after the major 4. Radio head does it on creep, G B major C major now C minor. Beatles used that a lot too when they wrote! Great Video