4 classic chord progressions and why they work

Get 5-10% off a Donner DEP-20 Beginner Digital Piano when you use the links and promo codes below before August 15th 2022:
𝗨𝗦 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻: amzn.to/3Ptl4MF
PROMO CODE: "DavidusPiano"
𝗨𝗞 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻: amzn.to/3uLDikx
PROMO CODE: "DavidukPiano"
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! 😇
SUPPORT ME ON PATREON: / davidbennettpiano 🎹
0:00 Introduction
0:16 Harmonic Minor vamp
1:53 Viva la Vida progression
4:35 Donner
5:21 1-4-5-4 vamp
8:12 the Dorian vamp
#donnermusic #chords

[@FizzyK-45]

Never thought I'd hear we are number one in a lesson about chord progressions. This video is definitely going down in history.

[@NickHoad]

We Are Number One coming right after Evanescence was a piece of editing genius, hit me like a freight train

[@shandya]

Viva la Vida progression somehow sounds optimistic yet melancholic at the same time. It’s one of my favorite progressions.

[@mchamberlain7408]

The melody helps create that more than the progression imo

[@Thatbergelinboy]

It goes 'Ah, this is bad, so very bad, but it'll get better probably..'

[@DMSProduktions]

Pity the band is so crap & boring!

[@captainmcawesome7908]

​@@Thatbergelinboy Interesting, the way it climbs and then falls, I feel goes very harmonically with the lyrics of Viva La Vida in which he describes losing everything. So I experience it kind of the other way around: "I am riding a high that will break down eventually"

[@ND62511]

I can’t wait to emulate Robbie Rotten’s musical genius. EDIT: something I wanted to point out about the Viva la Vida progression. It is very similar to _another_ chord progression you’ve covered before; the Royal Road progression. If you replace the tonic chord in the Viva progression with a mediant chord, you get Royal Road. Because of this, you could probably use these progression interchangeably, considering that the mediant chord has tonic quality as you explained in the Royal Road video.

[@1685Violin]

And if you replace the V with diminished vii from the Royal Road Progression, you get IV vii iii vi which is part of the circle of fifths progression.

[@samuelnelson2731]

R.I.P. Stefan Karl. You will be missed dearly by your fans.

[@namelessghost8473]

I was thinking the same thing. I was listening to a J pop song, and I thought it sounded like Feliz Navidad, and when I found out what chord progression is used in a lot of J pop songs I tried to find Feliz Navidad's chord progression, but couldn't find anything. So, when I saw that Feliz Navidad had the same chord progression as the Royal Road progression, save for the minor third, words are hard to describe just how pumped I was lol

[@austinshivers1644]

The theory is great, but I love hearing the examples and remembering all the great music I've forgotten about

[@SoleaGalilei]

I heard Mad World and Pink Floyd as soon as you introduced the Dorian vamp, but I was so surprised by the other styles of music that have used it! It's cool how the same chords can sound sad-proggy or disco-funky.

[@LowReedExpert1]

Jazz will blow your mind then lol, at least with the "IV" as a dominant. Like, I was hearing it as a two five vamp the whole time and was happy to hear the other examples

[@joshc5613]

After I heard Another Brick in the Wall, I was waiting for Another One Bites the Dust (but I don't know if it *technically* uses that vamp)

[@bismuththebi]

I see Coldplay in the thumbnail, I click the like button

[@torgejh9189]

I just love how flawless evanescence transitions into we are no.1, sounds like prechorus and chorus. Really works.

[@rome8180]

It's interesting that most examples of the "Viva La Vida" progression seem to take place in the chorus or bridge of the song. "Viva La Vida" is actually uncommon in that it uses it in the verses. I think it's because going to the IV chord for the chorus is so common in the first place. It makes sense that if you were going to use that progression you'd want to use it in the chorus. Verse chord progressions tend to be more centered around the tonic.

[@DanielLightspeedMcNair]

wow, pink floyd REALLY likes the i-IV progression, huh?

[@pooroldnostradamus]

Can’t blame them

[@welcometobluetown]

In TSODM was quite justified by the fact that the concept also follows repetitive melodic progressions

[@lucasvillani5484]

It's kinda of their signature tbh lmao

[@einootspork]

Most of them are from Dark Side of the Moon, which is meant to be listened to as a whole album, so it's kinda cheating

[@andrewpappas9311]

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it right?

[@ArmanBaig]

as a huge pink floyd fan i’m glad you included those examples. roger was a big fan of the dorian vamp.

[@nicolassalmon824]

Never noticed there were so many in the Dark Side of the Moon... However, I think Wish you were here isn't a 2-chords loop, don't you think ?

[@ArmanBaig]

@@nicolassalmon824 the intro and outro are. the verses aren’t

[@ociemitchell]

Pink Floyd certainly did get a lot of mileage out of that chord loop😊

[@zzzaphod8507]

@@ociemitchell Yes, pretty funny to see 5 examples in a row from PF

[@EvgenijGr]

The more I think about it, the more I’m coming to conclusion that it’s probably due to Pink Floyd I just love the Dorian Vamp. And in jazz or “jazzy” context it sounds amazing too. Man, it’s hard not to play along when I hear that Dorian vamp :D

[@cocanecaulk]

Your videos of common chord progressions have actually given me the confidence to both start learning melodies purely by ear and start busking downtown. I play the accordion and learning any 4 chord loop is trivially easy on it, so I quickly started finding myself figuring out the melodies to these different examples you used very naturally be ear aftet just cycling through the chords. Incorprating the examples you mentioned into my playing (essentially actually playing the montages you show) really gave me the confidence that I was performing something unique enough to start busking in public and I've already made a few hundred dollars since I started earlier this month. Thanks a ton and keep up the great vids!

[@TheRagingPlatypus]

I've learned so much from you.

[@mmohd7735]

Have always found the 'viva la vida' chord progression particularly satisfying and often evoking reflective, bittersweet or longing emotions - often (i feel) reflected in lyrics for songs using this progression

[@BobBobenstein]

would you consider doing a video on instrumental solos? I've always wondered why they are added to songs, why some people enjoy them and some don't, and why they have fallen out of vogue in popular music today

[@AtomizedSound]

@@joriankell1983 no, instrumental solos have been in many genres of music way before Van Halen if you go back and listen to early jazz standards

[@KentBuchla]

@@joriankell1983 lol. Wtf?

[@wingracer1614]

@@joriankell1983 Chuck Berry and Little Richard would like a word. As well as every blues guitarist that predates them

[@doncorleole2356]

Imo if you don’t enjoy any instrumental solo whatsoever, you’re a bad listener & don’t pay attention (honestly, how could you ever not like a Hotel California, Stairway to Heaven or Comfortably Numb guitar solo?)

[@offline_meetup]

I'm shocked the way you explain the emotion of the chords and I clearly understand it. Stunning

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you 😊

[@melickon]

Iconic example for i - IV progression is Michael Jackson's Earth song

[@DasBonbonAusWurst]

Came here to say this. Whenever I hear this progression, I immediately think of the piano in the very beginning of "Earth Song".

[@JamesSmith-qy3eu]

@@DasBonbonAusWurst Yes, I thought of this song when he demonstrated this chord progression. ''What have we done''.

[@SpartaYoshi]

My favorite chord progression I think doesn't have a name. I call it the Dirty Day progression: IV - i - bIII - bVII or IV - I - bIII - bVII It's similar to the plagal cascade. You could say it's a double plagal cascade. It's the one used in Dirty Day by U2, Blinding Lights by The Weeknd (at half-tempo), Watermelon Sugar etc. It is also very very used in the production of lo-fi hip hop, I think I'm gonna make a playlist to catalog them

[@KozakuraRabbit]

Yo I didn’t know you watched this channel as well, nice to see you here

[@pup64hcp]

These chord progression videos are really cool. I like being able to hear them in so many different songs and spot them in the wild

[@Calebthecreator]

I think I like the ones we’re he talks about unique ones more

[@simonvyhnis5813]

David Glimour soloing over the Dorian vamp is something the really defines Pink Floyd sound

[@scottmatznick3140]

I owe you a huge debt of gratitude. I've been stagnant for quite a few years trying to spice up my chord progressions, and your videos have helped so much, just by demystifying the construction of my favorite songs. Idk if that made any sense, but point being: you've made me a better musician and songwriter. Also, it irks me that someone with such a baby face is so much better than me at music, soooo I'm getting better lmao. Keep it up brother.

[@nathanliteroy9835]

Hey, try to watch the videos on borrowed chords by this guy. There's no translation, but notation might be enough, found him to be really enlightening - he doesn't just lists the chords, but shows them in relation to the main scale and how they change the tone (remove the space before ".com"): youtube. com/watch?v=N2n5d-qmoJU&list=PLuhAz5P0GD3YY6tncPmZ9J--WJAFe7NVv&index=2

[@PlayitonPan]

A geeky music nerd playing other people’s music …welcome to my world. When you’re playing around with two chords, warming up …and people ask, “Wow, what is that.” idk i just made it up 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@scottmatznick3140]

@@PlayitonPan right!! I'll be just vacant-eyed, totally absent from my body, playing something dumb and someone snaps me back to reality asking what I'm playing. Uhh... You tell me. I wasn't here. Haha. Thanks to you for reminding me that, without fail, others think I'm more talented then I ever will be able to believe. Even my kids will ask what I'm playing or singing, if I'm just making a melody out of whatever words I'm saying to them: what song is that, Daddy? It's one made just for them lol

[@MrSebaotero]

Have spend the day watching your chord progression videos + circle of fifths, taking notes... now I am ready to do a lecture for my band. This content is gold.

[@Joka191095]

Since the beginning I've always wondered... David, where do you get all these examples from? Your music knowledge is vast but I doubt that you just think of all of them from the top of your head

[@isaacdr3w62]

He's just that good

[@santoriomaker69]

internet is a really useful tool

[@Joka191095]

@@santoriomaker69 Right. That's the obvious answer. My question is more about specific resources

[@klaxoncow]

If you've got perfect pitch - or at least relative pitch - then you can just hear it. In fairness, most of us, if played a minor chord and a major chord, could tell the difference between them. And we can all tell when one chord is higher or lower than another - those with "relative pitch" learn to recognise the intervals, and know by how much it's higher or lower from another note / chord. Train your ear to be able to do that - relative pitch - and you can just hear that it's a minor chord that's a third up or a fourth down. Then you too could basically do this, just by ear. Admittedly, it gets complicated with chord inversions - it's the same notes but in a different order - as this messes with our sense that a chord is higher or lower than another. But, with the ear training for obtaining a sense of "relative pitch", you'd also learn to recognise what it sounds like when that happens. Indeed, the thing is, in order to train your ear to hear "relative pitch", the way you'd practice it - to keep those skills sharp - is to, well, work out what you're hearing whenever you listen to a new song. You practice a skill by doing it repeatedly. And then there's, therefore, just memory. Like, when he played that I - IV - V - IV progression, that instantly sounded like "Summer Nights" from Greece to me. I knew it was, therefore, going to come up as an example. And if you're going through songs, working out their chord progressions, to train and test your "relative pitch" then you'll just remember that, oh, right, there was that song by the Beatles that did that one. You worked that out before, ages back, but you remember it and can throw it into the examples. But, yeah, you can train your ear - develop "relative pitch" - to pick out intervals and the "quality" (major, minor, diminished, augmented, etc.) of a chord, and then you can just hear it. The more you do that - and I'm sure David's very well practised - then you can get to the point where you're able to just hear it as you're listening.

[@goodlookingcorpse]

I'm far from a good musician, but I can recognize a twelve-bar blues or the doo-wop changes, for example. I imagine that better musicians can recognize more progressions. There are lots of sites that give the chords to songs, so if I wanted to compile some examples of songs which use the twelve-bar blues I'd write some down from memory, and then check the chords on one of those sites.

[@NadieNobody]

I think the Dorian vamp is also used in Kenny Loggins' "I'm Alright" during the "do what you want" part, it goes from Dm to G

[@matdacat5289]

the evanescence into we are number one is GOLD

[@collectorofglasses]

Omg They Might Be Giants!

[@aristotleasparaguspodcast1129]

I think Don't Let's Start also uses that chord progression

[@DeGuerre]

Another example of i-IV is "Stayin' Alive" by The Bee Gees. It's most notable in the intro and outro.

[@user-qe9by9rq5y]

I'm a music teacher in Vietnam. My students and I love your videos! Thank you sir.

[@aristotleasparaguspodcast1129]

Thanks for using my suggestion! And I will say that Show Me Love by Robyn, Rio by Duran Duran, and Waterfalls by TLC all have the same chord progression so if you can find more songs there's another good chord progression

[@jcarty123]

"Waterfalls by TLC" was a rewrite (yes they had to settle) of McCartney "Waterfalls", so maybe check that one too.

[@friendsagain8054]

The verse of Overkill by Men at Work uses this progression as well

[@Comfortably-Dumb]

If you’re talking about the chorus of Rio, I’ve got a few: - Bob Dylan/Adele - ‘Make You Feel My Love’ (I - V - ♭VII - IV - iv - I - v - I) - Cocteau Twins - ‘Sugar Hiccup’ (chorus), ‘Heaven or Las Vegas’ (ii9 instead of I) - Duran Duran - ‘Last Chance on the Stairway’ - Joe Jackson - ‘Is She Really Going Out With Him’ - Pink Floyd - ‘Comfortably Numb’ (chorus, each half repeated once) - The Raconteurs - ‘Steady, As She Goes’ - The Vapors - ‘Turning Japanese’ (chorus) - The Verve - ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’ (minor v)

[@DavidBennettPiano]

This chord progression is actually already on the list for the next video! But thanks for the extra examples 😊😊😊

[@yisroelmeth]

Love the Hey Julie nod. Fountains of Wayne are criminally underrated.

[@sjlearning149]

I'd really like a bit on harmonic rhythm. Some on the basics like constant 1 bar, 2 bar, 1 beat, 2 beat rhythms but also some on offsetting the harmonic rhythm from the bar line , "harmonic fills" and other more interesting concepts. A bit on the relationship between rhythm and track tempo would really be interesting as well.

[@AtomizedSound]

Rhythm is a beast unto itself

[@sjlearning149]

@@AtomizedSound Harmonic rhythm is different than "rhythm" and is a much simpler topic. While I agree rhythm is a super complex topic, harmonic rhythm is just when chords change.

[@ShowWithNoName]

I - IV - vi - IV is also pretty common. Examples include Sugar We're Going Down, Without You by David Guetta, and Into the Unknown from Frozen 2.

[@Thejackg229]

Great video! I was watching another one of your chord progression videos a few months ago while learning piano and somehow everything just CLICKED! Suddenly I could understand chords, and all the things about music theory that seemed mystifying and hard to learn just fell into place. Thank you for making these.

[@jonwood5594]

You make the most consistently great and educational videos man. Appreciate the work you put into every video.

[@BruceEEvans1]

I began to understand music - not just play the notes - in high school in the late 60s. When I hear the I, IV, V, IV progression I can't help myself. I hear Louie, Louie! I hate that I do, but I do.

[@davethenorse6329]

You are such a gifted instructor. The ability to take difficult concepts to this level of elegant simplicity is an art form in itself. Your passion for music is inspiring. Thank you for all your videos David!

[@sneetchw]

I love these videos. It helps me understand how all my favourite songs are connected ❤️

[@DCJayhawk57]

I love the Dorian vamp, so versatile and can be a chameleon. Play it slowly and you've got ethereal psychedelia or classic prog. Speed it up and add some 7ths and you've got Latin or Funk.

[@slidenaway]

I will NEVER get tired of these chord progression showcases!! And as always you impress me with the songs you include, I'd totally forgotten about that Black Kids song (for shame cause it's AWEsome) and then you throw in a really deep cut of a Fountains of Wayne song??? Fantastic

[@stevenking4617]

These videos are SOOO helpful for my students! For some of them I prioritize teaching the number system, so this format is a great help in getting them immersed in it quickly. Excellent examples, organization and analysis. Thanks!

[@anzatzi]

Great insights--amazing editing!

[@Ishankur_Borkotoky]

Thank You David!

[@edgarwalk5637]

This is also a great list of songs for mash-ups. Loving the series!

[@FromGroundToMud]

"We Are Number One" is based on "One Step Beyond" by Madness, for those who may be curious.

[@louis-cyrilletrebuchet]

Thanks !!! I have just binged all your videos in the week-end. So great )

[@rafaelmusicoliturgico]

Another amazing video, thanks maestro!

[@FrancescaBettiMusic]

Thank you for this great video❤

[@mlagathomason2555]

These videos are really useful for helping me songwrite, thank you for putting in the effort to make all this stuff nice and easy to understand😎👍

[@giorgiobarchiesi5003]

The fourth chord progression is also used by “Le Orme” (an Italian progressive rock group) in their song “Figure di cartone”, a nice song about mental illness, in which they pioneer the use of moog, that was still very uncommon at that time.

[@manuel_ao]

It's great that you included all those Pink Floyd songs. As a PF fan I am amazed on how they used the i VI progression first in a cohesive way in DSOM and then to create two of their most well-known hits.

[@joelcaron8291]

C'est un immense plaisir de t'écouter et d'apprendre par tes exemples. Merci :)

[@nangbaby]

Thank you for this video. I realize now that I really like the Harmonic Minor vamp chord progression as it is one of my favorites.

[@eduardotrillo3519]

thanks David!

[@runreilly]

These are some of the best videos on YT. Thanks!

[@TomNomNomDotCom]

I'd really love it if you could cover something about pairing chord progressions. I'm a guitarist trying to learn some theory, and find that I'm able to come up with chord progressions for a verse (especially with help from your videos), but then when it gets to the chorus I get completely lost! Should it be the same progression but altered a bit? Something else? I have no idea! Thanks for all the hard work you put into your videos :)

[@jaguarcarrera]

Right, I'm also curious about the bridges

[@LuluTheCorgi]

Easy just don't have a chorus 🌚

[@NoahHornberger]

a chorus is louder and brighter, done by picking chords that make sense in the key that give a brighter and fuller sound. They can almost be anything as long as they make sense in sequence and can flow back into a verse. The chords are really just the backing color and order to make the melody more logical. The chords anchor the key and at the same time color it with some amount of tension. But it really comes down to messaging: you can't put some chords in because they disturb the mood or message too much. So it is actually done by ear quite easily: play what sounds right and then figure out why it works and what it is called.

[@composer7325]

Another excellent video, thank you, David.

[@danielphillips97]

Variations on VI - II - V - I are also a somewhat commonly used chord progression, most famously in the song Take On Me by A-Ha.

[@blkonblkenabledred854]

Minor 1 major 4 such a simple progression but has produced some amazing songs

[@MrStevecro]

A marathon. Greatvwork sir!

[@pinkajou656]

I love seeing if there are songs I recognize in these!

[@ShowWithNoName]

IV - vi - V - ii is used in Run Away With Me, Midnight City, and Summertime Sadness.

[@sneetchw]

Love these videos ❤️

[@mason87104]

Another great video on this topic David. Are there still more common chord progressions we haven't covered yet? I hope so - because I love this series of videos!

[@HAZARDOUS88]

Thanks so much, very informative!

[@promerops]

The Stones gave us the Hang on Sloopy progression in Get off My Cloud.

[@barrycoulter6951]

Always enjoyable and i always learn…cheers!

[@MiketheNerdRanger]

Damn I was hoping "Earth Song" would be an example of the last chord progression.

[@kyaraborg]

Those I-IV-V-IV and i7-IV9 progressions keeps reminding me of summer for some reason. It has a chill, relax and up beat sound to it ^^

[@markam67]

Very cool and it really is amazing to understand what you know you feel but may not know why you feel it regarding certain types of cord progressions. I was even anticipating songs that had the chord progressions before you showed them in the video. Especially the last one the i:IV progression I knew there were going to be Pink Floyd songs in that batch but I really didnt notice just how many Floyd songs use that progression. As always thanks for the great videos I have really enjoyed them.

[@FantomMC2]

Secrets in the chords!!! Beautiful

[@uumlau]

That i-IV progression isn't just "Dorian", it leans into blues, especially the versions that hit the 7 or 9 chords. All that's missing is the V dominant to end a verse.

[@scottmckenna9164]

Wow, deeper and deeper into understanding You lead me.

[@EarlOfMaladyCrescent]

I wrote this in (I think) your first video in this chord progression series. Here's another common one: | I | ii | IV | V | Song examples: Take That, Back for Good Wet Wet Wet, Love is All Around Maria McKee, Show Me Heaven & as always, great work David! Your videos are fantastic! 👏😀

[@djijspeakerguy4628]

4 5 1 6 chord progression is a nostalgic sound for me, because of memories attached to that Coldplay song. I’ve been using that one in many of my GarageBand compositions, also making good use of the powerful sampler function of the app.

[@SarimFaruque]

r.i.p. Robbie Rotten You are a legend

[@nigelpisswater484]

i love how much pink floyd uses the dorian vamp, whenever i hear that progression I always think of them

[@PancakeJake]

Great videos, David. I always learn a lot, while also having fun and enjoying your relaxing vibe. Keep it up brother

[@Calebthecreator]

They are very chill videos

[@tebohomr_Teenz_Mafrika]

Yeah!Give Thanks!!!

[@Percy2361]

Great stuff 👍

[@InventorZahran]

'La Bamba' by Richie Valens is another good example of the I-IV-V-IV progression.

[@jyotektosgaimur]

Handler by muse's verses are also a good example of that harmonic minor vamp.

[@wolfrayet25officialfilms]

In the next common chord progressions I want you to include this chord progression. [ i-bIII-bVI-bVII ] A lot of songs use this progression.

[@lucidous]

Amazing pianos by the way. I bought the fully weighted back in 2020. Very reliable.

[@carolm.ferreira3699]

So really awesome your channel! Thank you.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks 😊

[@evank3718]

I love this style of video

[@Comfortably-Dumb]

I love watching David’s Dorian Vamp list expand with each video until it snowballs out of control and eventually kills us all

[@Bacopa68]

It's like global warming.

[@atanvardecunambiel8917]

Also similar to those so-called “magic changes” and the Viva La Vida progression is the same but it starts on the vi chord. In a minor key, it’s i-VI-VII-III.

[@tabascocat5102]

David, are you the voice of Google's pronunciation examples? It always STRONGLY reminds me of you

[@garmdolf3413]

I had not noticed that I loved the progression i - IV

[@franniegoldsmith166]

thank you!

[@LTDLimiTeD1995]

Dorian is my favorite tool for Medieval sounding music.

[@Ellieandmasonmusic]

That pink floyd part brilliant David. Shows your ear and how good Dave Roger and Richard was at simplicity being the key👌🏼

[@JamesSmith-qy3eu]

Don't forget Nick!

[@dedemushi7824]

YOU JUST TAUGHT ME HOW TO PLAY ONE OF MY FAVOURITE RADIOHEAD SONGS, MAN!!! THANK YOU!!! ❤ (i figure the other chords are a C & a B7, sounds legit to me)

[@jcarty123]

In the area of I-IV-V chords, check out McCartney "Take It Away", where the chorus loops on I - V - I - IV (unusual order, no? more people use I - IV - I - V).

[@jcmacmusic]

Thank you.

[@zekepowers]

I always think of the 2 chord Dorian style one with Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game, and mad world which was in there. Great video

[@philipbonser4814]

David, could you possibly do a video analysing the orchestral version of Joni Mitchell’s both sides now? Harmonically it shimmers and seems so much more effective than the guitar version.

[@BlueManIan]

Sweet Dreams is my JAM. I could listen to it all day!

[@panosmosproductions3230]

The song Alive by Gio Galanti and Natasha Myrin, uses the 1, 4, 5, 4 chord progression in the first part of the chorus and interlude. The verses are in b flat, the first chorus is in b flat, and the other choruses are in c. The second part of each chorus uses a 6, 2, 5 chord progression, and the verses use a 1, 5, 6, 4 chord progression.

[@dzod]

Love your videos David. I always stop by here for some ideas and inspiration when I get the dreaded writers block.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😃😃😃