1 Chord Progression, 5 Levels of Complexity

Watch part 2 of this video here: • 1 Chord Progression, 5...
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Today I'm taking the classic "Doo-wop changes" and running them through different levels of complexity, starting with just adding colour tones to the basic chords, and ending up with a super jazzy chord-packed progression.
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
0:20 Level 1
0:43 Level 2
2:00 Level 3
4:50 Level 4
6:40 Level 5
8:57 Level 6
10:45 Patreon
SUPPORT ME ON PATREON: / davidbennettpiano 🎹

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Check out the part 2 of this video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2PQlaZjgMp-isk 😊

[@b00ts4ndc4ts]

I thinks one of the worst things about learning music is not not having the knowledge or understanding and finding it very confusing. You totally destroy that feeling by explaining it in such away that you teach it on a level that so easy to take in. I come away feel more confident.

[@venusspacey9685]

​@@b00ts4ndc4tsyou should pay for lessons if youre serious about music, and appreciate everything that is free on youtube. He buys patreon accounts of black pianist lessons, and teaches the content he just learned himself to you. Its easy for him to teach this, because he paid a master to learn from.

[@irishwristwatch4710]

I really like how the bonus 6th level is a combination of 2-5-1s and color tones, therefore it itself is a 2-5-1.

[@R.Akerman-oz1tf]

"All You Need is Love(of music theory).

[@DavidBennettPiano]

*chef’s kiss*

[@Fire_Axus]

no

[@wolframheldmaier727]

Wow. Impressive.

[@johnhill762]

Bonus level 6 is level 2 and level 5 put together. So yes. 2-5-1 (with color tones). But since level 5 is 2-5-1 without color tones, level 6 is not exactly level 5 after all.

[@BebroOfficial]

wow, i'm a musician for a years now, and that is the best explanation i've ever seen. Thanks so much for level 5 and 6. They've helped me a lot in understanding.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Great 😊

[@archsys307]

just spamming 251s doesnt sound beautiful, but its good foundational stuff

[@mistaowickkuh6249]

This tutorial gently caressed my brain curves. It went over a massive curriculum in 10 minutes and provided something that can be practised!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Great 😊

[@royhsieh4307]

it also curves space time in the sense that it shortens the learning process

[@mistaowickkuh6249]

@@royhsieh4307 honestly I was going through some difficult times (what a surprise, a music person!) and this tutorial still reverberates with the pick me up effect from a few days ago. Growing stronger isn't impossible my fellow musicians. Especially when masters like David shine a light on our path!

[@user-ii5mh9li6l]

Okay, David Bennett is now the Prime Minister of explaining stuff.

[@christianzelaya6361]

YES!

[@harimathur2191]

Nah, let's be level headed. Prime Minister is exaggerating..... He is Pope John Paul II at explanininv😅

[@stanbrown4757]

I don't have anything that can beat the pope but if I did that would be it😂

[@superscatboy]

I'd vote for him

[@Kyubiwan]

The "Anime Canon" chord progression C - [Bm7b5 - E7] - Am - [Gm7 - C7] - [F - G] - [Em - Am] - Dm7 - [C/G - G7]

[@kyuusutiiru]

Your video is very beginner-friendly, it's very practical and visual, simplified with no unnecessary vocabulary. Thank you!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you!

[@patemblen3644]

That one was a light bulb moment for me. You explained the chord progressions I see when playing from sax charts. Thank you very much David.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😊😊

[@marshwetland3808]

Yeah, I'm just learning this stuff and i look at the sheets for a song I can easily sing and... 2-4 chords per bar? Fdim? Oh, it's a passing chord, like literally a note passing between the other root notes.

[@vyskocity]

This is the lesson on chord progressions I've been searching for. Unlocked everything with the simplicity of the explanation in a way no one has for me before. Thank you David!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Great!!

[@tomturton]

What a valuable insight this is, for those of us who are stuck repeating the same old diatonic chords. Thank you, David.

[@WarpRulez]

Funny thing about that "50's chord progression" that I noticed recently. "Otherside" by Red Hot Chili Peppers uses the famous "Axis chord progression" of Am F C G. However, the melody also fits perfectly the "50's chord progression" of C Am F G, and its quality changes completely, from a slightly moody song to a much more upbeat song. Just try it.

[@douglaspantz]

Most pop songs that are built around simple chord progressions like this can be substituted with another chord progression to recontextualize it, an example of a song doing this in song would be Bad Day by Daniel Powter (I-IV-ii-V, then vi-Imaj7-IV-I)

[@madmac66]

That’s the beauty of the diatonic system. Those chords are all sharing the same 7 notes pulled from the C Major scale

[@originalname7176]

7:40 I love how you said "pull" there, it was honestly preaty silly and cute . and thanks for the chords!

[@ryan-heath]

I was looking for this comment 😂

[@Shadow-hw3kn]

pretty*

[@oravlaful]

and "level" too, right before

[@Fire_Axus]

your feelings are irrational

[@tylerwastripped1590]

Melody also dictates your tone colors, and the voiceleading/inversions that you use. I think that was best illustrated in example six, as the moving color-tones acted as a 'psuedo' melody to guide and add context. Id love to see more on inversions, melody, and tonal gravity.

[@Fire_Axus]

your feelings would be irrational

[@RockOn78]

Would love to see this too 👍. This vid was legit.

[@VladimirCheTV]

3 is like This train don't stop there anymore

[@batya7]

David! Thanks to you, I am finally having deeper understanding of things I hear AND getting a vocabulary to describe them! I always wondered why the "color" of certain chord progressions tickled my moods. I'm starting to be able to put my finger on what is going on. Although I've had this info for a while, it never quite gelled. Keep on doing what you're doing. I am grateful.

[@wwjjss33]

Ditto! 👍

[@auldthymer]

This video made me suddenly understand some of the rich harmonies that I've loved but didn't know how to achieve.

[@ScottBanovic]

Extra jazz is beautiful. Want it as a full song.

[@luke5100]

I’ve been watching your channel for a couple years now and I can say this was one of your best and most helpful theory videos yet! I feel like you just unlocked a whole new level of composition for me! I always wondered how jazz songs figured out how to combine all those seemingly complicated chords. It always sounded beautiful, but at the same time random to my uninformed brain. Now I’ve cracked the code! Thanks, David. So excited to apply this to my own songwriting

[@FranzSchmidtYoutube]

... same here 🎹🎶💡

[@auldthymer]

I am floored by how simple this complexity can be! Thanks, David

[@itstobitan]

Very good video. It opens up a whole new level of understanding for the different chord degrees and how to connect and read them together. Really a very good video. 🙏

[@oliverkreuzahler6444]

Brilliant useful lecture. Thank you very much. 👍

[@leonardodorta1863]

Amazing, great content 🎉❤

[@daviddegratie9189]

This video clears a lot of subjects I didn’t really had a grasp on. Now it makes perfect sense !! Thank you so much 🙏🏻

[@AnitaLife27]

Thank you! This is so clear and accessible! ❤

[@LDigggs]

Thank you for stepping us through these progressions. I can't wait to apply it.

[@ademariojunior]

What a lesson in harmonization! I kind of understand now the difference in chord progressions that I played for years! Thank you very much! I think the different harmonizations give distinct atmospheres that can be employed at will. They are not necessarily better but rather more appropriate to convey the intended feeling.

[@i.setyawan]

I think this is one of the most enjoyable (and for me personally, useful) videos you've released lately. I think the most developed "level 6" sounds the most pleasing, but I can see mixing and matching the other levels, too... that is, combining the all the tricks so that we don't always use passing chords or 2-5-1 progressions each time we change chords.

[@lpa9974]

Perfect! I know it’s a bit cliché, but this is just what I’ve been waiting for. You explain everything so well that it comes together and makes sense.

[@user-kf9ou4ht6l]

Such a beautiful video. Thank you

[@ShaharHarshuv]

It's amazing how rich and emotional the last version sounds despite th fact you followed very simple rules

[@luisaguilar9585]

Thanks for these very colourful progresions

[@crazydougthewolf]

Brilliant, thank you!

[@neil.musique]

lvl 7: modal interchange/kush chords

[@pepxycolla]

In Italy we call it "Giro di do", and it's the base of many 60's italian songs, and has also been used later. One example is "Il cielo in una stanza", from the early 60's, and the chorus of "Centro di Gravità Permanente", another incredibly famous italian song from 1981.

[@mikescofield]

Fantastic! What an array of options, clearly explained in a short period of time. Hard to say my favorite. Thanks.

[@beehtovenheadass5610]

Thank you for dropping this gem

[@joereynolds4602]

I love this!! Your videos are always fascinating but this felt like it pulled back the curtain for me - a really approachable and demystifying explanation!

[@peterhoglund9603]

Thanks David

[@xandervideo1]

Fantastic!

[@nikbivation]

love this, so helpful!

[@nooffencebut8175]

I’m literally only a couple minutes in but I already feel the need to thank you, your information has been really helpful already and I am trying to work on my compositional skills. I appreciate this so much, thank you.

[@_tobetterdayz]

This is amazing man. Thank you.

[@quatroD]

David, IMO your videos are the best in terms of didactic quality and visuals. I can watch your videos without any instrument nearby and still can catch the information when get home. Recommended this video for my gf because she is beginning on piano and believe your videos will help. Greets from Brazil. 🇧🇷

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😊😊😊😊

[@merlin4505]

Excellent video, knowledge is precious in here!

[@kobbynyce]

U are such a good teacher. Not overbearing with information, straight to the point yet still engaging 👍🏾

[@LaPainMusic]

This is an excellent video! Nice explanations all the way through! Well done! Love the jazzy part at the end! 🔥🎹🎶👏🏼🙌🏼

[@Pwecko]

Superb video. Very well explained.

[@JackieMel]

This just explained everything in my head when I mess around with chord progressions and why it sounds so good when I play them.

[@jackjackson7537]

Awesome video. Can't wait to check out part two. This was super helpful for adding more flavor to my songwriting tbh. Would love to see more content like this, or involving chord changes in general. I have a decent understanding of basic chord functions (tonic, dominant, subdominant) but I would love to do a deeper dive on things like extended chords, or some of these more advanced techniques. Anyhoo, great stuff as always, and thank you for all of your lessons over the years, David. You rock.

[@joannajoshua4589]

loved it!

[@jaysar]

Amazing brother! Saved this video and will refer back to it and share it for sure! Very well put together!

[@nemanjavukcevic5445]

Thank you for so much needed simplicity!

[@fernandocerritos7786]

Wow! Thank you thank you!

[@madaxe79]

Gosh, wonderful lesson. I learned level 5 about 20 years ago, and forgot it, and as soon as you un-blurred it, I instantly remembered an exercise I used to do where I would take a circle of fifths and Ii-V-I every change, then solo over the changes... brings back some awesome memories.

[@RonaldFigura]

Great stuff! I like #5 & #6 best.

[@Klongix]

This video (especially the 5th level) really helped me wrap my head around the relationships of some tricky chord progressions. Thanks man! This will help me a lot with the guitar and piano/keyboard (still learning piano/keyboard).

[@pianomanenproceso]

Thank you, David! Been looking for a explanation that helped me in this kind of topics, clear as water and great video as always

[@shamielsoeker9374]

Love this this !! Most simplest way of understanding how spice or adding more color to the most chords you start of learning and you made so to follow and understand

[@swankfactory909]

This has done so much for me, thank you so much

[@jimrogers7425]

Brilliant!

[@TheFY-cb6eb]

Thank you

[@NelsonClick]

This is my favorite chord progression. It's perfect. Works perfectly in 4/4 and feels so good. "Be My Baby". I geek out on that song just like Brian Wilson did.

[@Jammonster11]

Really helpful, thank you!

[@lp-xl9ld]

I briefly took guitar lessons better than 50 years ago...and the first two chords I learned were C and G7. I finally figured out why.

[@manuelochoa5065]

Love it thank you

[@zozikfreeman9403]

Thank you, David. Your videos are amazing, so informative and I learn so much, thanks. God bless you 💙

[@jppychnnn]

Thank you for this.

[@billybuzy]

Really need more videos like this to show progression process and the logic behind. Very helpful for beginners like me

[@batmanuk1810]

I CAN FINALLY UNDERSTAND JAZZ CHORD PROGRESSIONS NOW

[@stablerslayer1]

Thanks for the lesson 🙏

[@Krail1]

Thank you! I've been trying to absorb a bunch of music theory that I never learned back when I was taking piano lessons, and I think this video really helped fill in a specific hole in my knowledge about how songs are constructed!

[@user-yh5fy7de6t]

Thank you for making it so easy to understand

[@mr.nobody2244]

Gosh, I just love Jazz. Beautifully played David.

[@scorpiosity]

Thanks this was really helpful!

[@leonhardeuler675]

Great video. Best yet.

[@mateoramires7440]

That's just amazing. I like all the levels. Thank you master.

[@AR-qn9mq]

Brilliant. Loved it Dave.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks!

[@HeyBulldog-Beatles-Tribute]

Just perfect demonstration how Pop music can be more rich , passionate David, THANKS A LOT! Beatles forever from France! Michael

[@richardkinan5113]

Amazing ,thank's

[@seanclark2531]

#4 is nostalgic and pleasing to my ears..it has a bit of a gospel or hymn like air..

[@andrecastilhomassareli8597]

It remembers me of the amazing digital circus theme

[@conz2078]

great video!

[@Diamondfire5125]

This was just amazing thank you so much for this I'm really trying to get better at piano and I want to know what I should be doing to improve and this video helped me out a ton. Also your playing was great!

[@EriccsonGuitarBassMan]

amazing explication! thanks!

[@mickcarpenter2963]

This is a really good video - so much packed into it, that may be difficult to follow at first. But stick with it, to lay brilliant foundations for developing sophisticated progressions and improvisation. Many thanks David

[@pianofingers8660]

That last level was brilliant thank you so much!!

[@modhiab]

Really beautiful and extremely useful video. Thank you

[@raularenaza3230]

This video is PURE GOLD for those of us who have no knowledge of harmony and simply bang on the piano to sing and have fun. It opens the door to understanding many songs and improvising!!! Thank you, David, you're awesome!

[@monty5066]

Awesome lesson, THANK YOU!

[@SierraRoute]

Great tutorial, thanks!

[@chillraffeoho7715]

Ty ❤ u explained it so well and understandable

[@bathsheebabrewster5077]

I am impressed! Very clear instructions and direct to the pount❤

[@guillaumefo]

oh yeah ! thanksss

[@pfalcon626]

Thank you for explaining secondary dominants so simply and uncomplicated! It’s amazing how much fluff other tutors add to their explanations…🤯

[@gasparucciox9706]

xcellent vid mate! one of the best

[@jdtorres__]

And remember the best songs are not always the ones with more chords and theory you put in it sometimes it is just a simple chord progression which you can make a banger. The only thing that matters is the soul you put in it and the story you're telling. But through your way of learning you should try everything. Just don't stress about trying to make the best stuff and enjoy your playing

[@johnrider2108]

Very nice changes

[@GingerWaters]

Thanks! The level 5&6 idea was something that was sprouting in my subconscious thinking of what I should learn next: how to jazz up my music once needed. Now that I saw it here, it saved month or two of intuitive trial&error work.

[@superipermagererata5084]

i love how you don’t only show the levels but explain them, you’re really a master teacher 😭!

[@materialistadialectico4884]

Very accessible explanation. Excellent lesson.

[@rabinnh]

I've always wondered how jazz songs had so many chords that fit and now this video has opened my eyes to how they came up with all those passing chords. Now if I could only figure out how to play over them 😊

[@nonofficalasti]

wow it's really helpful, thank you ！

[@rafaelvicentenievesrobles1806]

This was beautifully explained. Thank you!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you!