4 Rare Chords From 4 Rock Legends (+ How To Use Them)

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Hello all Oasis fans... I am more than aware of everything that's going on re the reunion! Been discussing it on my twitter page, and will and will be sorting a video after whatever the upcoming announcement is :) Watch this space. JH

[@NoleTheGOAT]

When i received the notification, i believed it was on potential Oasis reunion. But… It will be the next time 😜🔥🎸

[@ianblackmore-allen163]

I'm too fookin excited ahhhhhhhhh 🤯🤯🤯

[@josephlambert5413]

Ay think iewll find it’s « Foh king » daarling.

[@chrisgatesmusic]

COME ON!! MAD FOR IT!!

[@sundayfeeling]

its all part of the masterplan innit?

[@MrBlackcaster]

The chord progression in "Because" is astonishing.

[@christopherheckman7957]

There's a PDF online called "Songwriting Secrets of the Beatles". It's full of tidbits like that.

[@buddyrichforever]

Come on James, do a wee vid about tomorrow 8am!😊

[@nedergamer124]

Eeeyyyy

[@purefoldnz3070]

a few more hours to go.

[@purefoldnz3070]

ITS OFFICAL THEY ARE BACK.

[@ashleyberry1116]

No video needed

[@fleadoggreen9062]

What’s tommorw 8 am ?

[@zenellis]

The way you explain chord construction is helping me so much. Thank you!

[@josephlambert5413]

Paul Weller learned the guitar with a book called « The Beatles Complete ». So he knew chords.

[@seankm6nfo990]

That's a great book.

[@DezTheMacedonian]

You mean The Compleat Beatles (it's a diff spelling, the original one that transcribed the original chords the band used) ?

[@3edyf]

How about Beatles "All I gotta do" opening chord? ❤

[@SallyCanWait1996]

you just fricking taught me what 7 years of musical education in school couldnt

[@marcsullivan7987]

Must’ve not been a very good school

[@brottiermarie-aimee2751]

A beautiful lesson with beautiful chords.Very rewarding Thanks a lot !

[@cliffhughes6010]

I love these vids. They've persuaded me to get out my guitar again after I put it away because of arthritic fingers. And you know what, playing again is helping to get my stiff painful knuckles moving.

[@GawbsAndGobdaws]

CUT DOWN... OR OUT.. TOMATOES...

[@rebeltz2010]

Nice there James, thanks for posting and always interested in all aspects, as you can never learn enough, especially when you make up your own chord's /progressions/ songs etc, usually by ear., I call it as, spicing them up,lots... cheers from Australia!

[@stevelaferney3579]

Yep! Missing interesting chord and inversion selections is a prime example of what is missing from today’s music. That and talented musicians who are willing to fail and get back up, fail again and get back up again to finally rise up worthy of recognition. Similar to before. Learn to read music so you can learn to write it interestingly unless you’re good like The Beatles, Eric Clapton, and many others who don’t read music but learn by ear very well. Above all else, be inspired and interesting. They will listen.

[@dantefrias]

Fantastic video James. Thanks alot, your timing is a rare chord on YT channels that talk about music;)

[@amsalespush]

Great chords with wonderful examples. Thanks.

[@guitarmanUK]

The last chord (flat 9) was used by George Harrison in "I Want To Tell You" from Revolver in 1996 (in a very discordant way) and also by John Lennon in "I Want You (She's So Heavy" from Abbey Road. The flat 9 chord is a standard jazz chord that can at times be used in place of a diminished for a less. "sweet" and more "jazzy" sound but can also be used in completely different ways as demonstrated by the Beatles, Freddie Mercury and others. The sequence mentioned as being used in various songs such as "Still Got The Blues For You" and "I Will Survive" has been used countless times including in standards such as "Autumn Leaves" and is the basis of old songs such as "All The Things You Are" (it was also used by Paul McCartney for part of "A Beautiful Night"). Years ago when I was trying to get to grips with different chords and chord substitutions I went back to some of these older songs (some going back to the 1930's) and learned a very great deal. The people that wrote some of this stuff had learned their craft and by opening myself up to songs and chord progressions I would not otherwise have come across I was able to accelerate my learning curve and see how some of these chords (you know - the one's that look scary when you see them written down) could improve my songwriting. And I discovered some really great music too.

[@aquamarine99911]

Yeah, I was gonna mention the 7b9 chord's use in I Want You (She's So Heavy) - but you beat me to it with a WAY better post than I would have written. Thanks for your insight!

[@benharrison7244]

Really good video. Very well explained and cool how it links from song to song

[@JM-co6rf]

learning stuff all the time from you! and i've been playing for 30 years

[@playcold]

I’ll use these stuffs when I’m gonna write my own songs Thank you so much James

[@emiliojosegraobenedi450]

Your guitar sounds great! A high quality video, thank you, very interesting.

[@davidbrandt6925]

Thank you James! Fantastic!

[@seanmcdonald4686]

This is a great video. Informative, useful, and more than entertaining enough to hold my attention until the end. Also, you have a lovely voice. I’m a new subscriber.

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Thanks so much, glad you liked it, and welcome 👍😎🍻

[@aquamarine99911]

Speaking of non-typical rock chords, I don't think the Beatles ever played a minor 6th chord, but at one point in She Loves You, they sing the 6th over a minor C chord on the guitar. When I play the song for my kids, I always play the Cm6 chord there, and it sounds right. There's a funny scene in the "Get Back" series where George wants to play a 7#9 Hendrix chord in a song, and Paul says "No, no, we've already used that chord" (maybe he's talking about Taxman). George responds with "it's just a chord, we can use it as often as we like". I see both perspectives.

[@JohnNathanCO]

Au contraire. I believe Lennon plays a raspy Dm6 as he sings, "she's well acquainted with the touch of a velvet hand..." in "Happiness Is A Warm Gun."

[@theguitardude5613]

Your videos are superb. Ive been watching for a while. You know your stuff.

[@evertvdb000]

04:48 that chord is Dm/B, often written as Bm7(b5). it's used in soooooo many songs like Fly Me to The Moon, I will Survive and Sunny.

[@user-zw3jq1vq3k]

Thank you for sharing.The way you hold a guitar,it's easy for someone on the other side to make out.Appreciate your take on guitar...

[@EmmaPeelman]

Great, insightful stuff, James. Thank you.

[@robertrussell9336]

Well done, Brilliant explanation and view into new sounds and possibilities. Thanks.

[@pendomojaxkalibre5686]

Thank you James🙏

[@jerrygerza7565]

At 11:40 move that chord up one fret and it sounds like the opening chord to The Beatles "All I Got To Do." 🤔👂( the track that follows "It Won't be Long").

[@valeriolucchese3278]

wouldn't call the third "augmented", as that I reckon should only refer to a chord that has its fifth raised: the one you present has its fifth natural (B), hence C is just an extension (a flat six, which would be called an augmented fifth if the natural wasn't already there)

[@timelwell7002]

Once upon a time, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, and Carnaby Street in London was THE place to be, we had a lot of original sounding songs often with great harmonies and often modulations from one key to another - such as: * 'I Can See For Miles and Miles' (The WHO) * 'Stawberry Fields' (The Beatles) * 'You Are The Sunshine Of My Life' (Stevie Wonder) * 'Wichita Lineman' (Jimmy Webb) * 'Alfie' (Burt Bacharach) * 'McCarthur Park' (Jimmy Webb) * 'Penny Lane' (The Beatles) * 'The Windmills Of Your Mind' (Michel Legrand) * 'Good Vibrations' (Beach Boys) * 'God Only Knows' (Beach Boys) * 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' (Beach Boys) And in the next decade (the 70s) we had: * Court & Spark (Album - Joni Mitchell) * The Hissing of Summer Lawns (Album - Joni Mitchell) * 'Rikki Don't Loose That Number' (Steely Dan) * 'The Kiss' (Judee Sill) * 'Loping Along Through The Cosmos' (Judee Sill) * 'Baker Street' (Gerry Rafferty) * 'Lullabye' (Billy Joel) * 'Gaucho' (Steely Dan) * 'Aja' (Steely Dan) * 'Space Oddity' (David Bowie) * 'You Don't Have To Cry' (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) And in the 80s we had: * 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic' (The Police) * 'Don't Stand So Close To Me' (The Police) * 'Probably Maybe' (Bjork) * 'Great Fire' (XTC) And in the 90s we had: *Sweet Fanny Adams* And in the 2000s we had: *Sweet Fanny Adams* Although in the 2010s we had: * 'Summer Somewhere' (Screaming Maldini) * 'Glorious Stereo' (Screaming Maldini) * 'Lucky Gilchrist' (The Unthanks) * 'Magnificent' (Elbow) * Jacob Collier - just about everything he's done! Except for Elbow, these bands are not well known. And in the 2020s we also have: * Snarky Puppy * Jacob Collier As record labels were increasingly ruled by accountants who wanted artists to produce more songs from 'tried and tested' formulae - so creativity was stifled, and audiences heard less and less sophisticated music. This has changed somewhat as some artists have been able to produce and market their own music. HOWEVER, because of the lack of exposure to more interesting harmonies for more than 2 decades, there are far fewer artists with innovative songs and arrangements coming through nowadays. Hence the need for videos such as the one above...

[@rebeltz2010]

Agreed totally and well put, thanks... I think, exactly the same being an armature, but well-versed player trying to break the mould, cheers!

[@matsfrommusic]

The coolest chord progression I've ever heard is the Depeche mode track Behind the wheel. Bm Dm Gm Bb. These four chords is running through the whole song. Simply brilliant!

[@kjones5085]

The British Beato 🎸 you explain everything very easily. Thanks mate 😊

[@purplezoid1]

Great tips for the songwriting tool kit. Thanks!!!

[@Wigan_Joker]

Thanx James

[@wamgoc]

Thanks James!!

[@parttroll1]

Love the chords from a couple of Pink Floyd songs. Breathe with the D7#9 to Ebdim for the turnaround is just beautiful and the chords from Dogs 👌🏻

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

The pattern that always gets me is from Great Gig in the Sky, immediately before and leading into the quiet part: Gm7 C9 Gm7 C9 Bb Bbm F#7 Bm F...

[@keithbutler2222]

I've been playing Bohemian Rhapsody with my band for over 20 years now (we used to play We are the champions too) and it's the one song that I can sometimes get lost in and not find a way back during a gig due to the unusual nature of the chords...can be embarrassing!

[@PeterFrayne-o4n]

Hi James, think that Weller chord might be Emb6 add 9. The augmented tends to imply a raised 5th, but we have natural 5th here.

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Yeah I had a bunch of confusing options on that one! Yes you’re probably right there

[@PaulGTerry]

Agreed!

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

I could be wrong on this one, but I think that Lennon got to the Moore/Hendrix chord even earlier than Taxman - check out the "told you before" part of the early Beatles song "You Can't Do That"...

[@angelomisterioso]

Hey! You're damn good! Thanks for being there! :)

[@MassiveCatLittleLegs]

Awesome vid - keep the muso stuff coming! I've been a "guitarist" for over twenty years, but have only recently started getting into theory; it has made me realise how little I really knew about what I was playing and has given me more appreciation for the instrument and for music in general. Oh and - apropos of absolutely nothing whatsoever - wouldn't it be great if a really, really, really big act - particularly one who appear to take pride in the tag of 'band of the people' - kept the general admission ticket prices down for future gigs. It would certainly make a statement to the Springsteens, Stones's, Taylor Swifts of the world. Hmmm....

[@tomtebby7408]

What an amazing band that would be Lennon, Moore, Weller and Mercury. But who would play the drums?

[@aronschwarz236]

Lars Ulrich

[@quintisalive]

Sandy Nelson

[@cliffhughes6010]

Ringo

[@carlosgravy7966]

John Henry Bonham!

[@dickydoes]

Bev Bevan. Random.

[@jakebairstow2827]

Great video mate, will use some of these. On alternate note, u don’t have somewhere I could send a demo over and see what you think?

[@arthurblackhistoric]

Hey James . . There's a song on the BBM album, "Where in the World" at the 2:56 mark that had us stumped back when my band was learning it. I tried every one of the chords you suggest here, but none of them fitted what we were hearing. So my bass player and I devoted an entire evening to solving the mystery. Around midnight his housemate stuck his head round the doorway and said: What are you blokes looking so chuffed about? And we told him we'd solved one of the greatest mysteries in popular music! Now, however the band has long since disbanded and I can't remember what that finger-breaking chord was. Can you help? BBM was Gary Moore, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker. Their album Around The Next Dream sounded like half of it was Cream's undiscovered follow up album to Wheels of Fire . . and the other half was the typical Gary Moore offering in which he would push the boundaries of his criminally under-rated songwriting ability. We had folks at our gigs yelling out for songs from that record which we'd play, and had them also running to their record stores to purchase their own copies.

[@harley200]

WTF NO OASIS REUNION VIDEO EH

[@1292liam]

lol Exactly - is he on holiday ?!

[@seanhoward5562]

Great videos. Also look at some of the chords that David Gates uses in some of his Bread songs. He has some interesting chords.

[@ScottJamesLIve]

Love to see a Larrivee!

[@jonathanroselaw]

The D half diminished chord is also a Dmin7b5 chord (which would resolve nicely to Eb Major as the chord is the 7th tonality of an Eb scale.

[@thvamvakoudes]

Cool video! In the jazz world, the E7 leading to Am can be called an E altered chord. It just makes a more interesting V-I resolution. V(5) being the E7 and I(1) being the A minor. So you couldn't technically say that Still got the blues is in C major, but in Am rather. Any chord that is a fifth above the next chord can be altered to sound a bit strange(Hendrix chord), so the resolution to the following chord is stronger. So, are they getting back together?

[@Premofandabbadozy]

Reunion confirmed. Tickets on sale Saturday 8am. I’d love it if they said we’re doing one interview together, and one interview only. There is only one man who is up to the job….Mr James Hargreaves.

[@davewebb9452]

A) I'd hardly call a half-diminished chord (7b5) rare and 2) there is nothing augmented about the Hendrix/Moore chord. It's a 7#9. An augmented chord has a #5. But I do love the way Gary uses it in that progression.

[@thedolphin5428]

There's a particular chord (and a particular guitar sound with it) that Phil Manzanera used on a Roxy Music first album song (1972). In all the intervening years, I only ever heard it from him, in his live performances of the song after that. But lo and behold, it rang out from Eric Clapton at Cream's reunion RA Hall concert in 2005. I jumped out of my seat shouting "Hey, that's Phil Manzanera's chord! " Lol.

[@1292liam]

James H = struggling to sleep, with the excitement, tonight !

[@Ukraine_Rocks-OK]

Those who don't know the musical theory create fascinating mudic/chords

[@jimo50]

When students ask me, ‘aren’t b3, #9 and augmented 9 the same thing?’ I reply in my best fake British accent, ‘They’re the same…but DIFFERENT’😂

[@jimo50]

Especially the b3😀

[@eatsleepdrums]

Regarding the Weller chord, it would usually be referred to as Em6add 9. In an augmented chord the 5th is raised a semi-tone but the regular perfect 5th would also be omitted, not included as is the case here. Coincidentally this chord is also known as the 'James Bond chord' as it appears in the Bond theme.

[@bellygunnermusic]

man, what a chord!!!! it's the gordian's knot of harmony.

[@andymellor9056]

Sorry to be that guy, but the nomenclature is incorrect (which doesn't invalidate the central point of the lesson). Intervals that are perfect (the 4th and 5th) are augmented (+) or diminished (°). 9th 11th and 13th intervals are sharpened or flattened. So, the 'Hendrix' chord is a 7th sharp 9 (7#9) and your 'Mercury' Chord is a 7th flat 9 (7b9). You also see these chords in Pink Floyd's 'Breathe'. From the lyric 'For long you'll live...' the chord sequence is CMaj7, Bm, F, G, D7#9, D7b9, Em Your Weller chord contains a B (A stri g 2nd fret) as well as a C, so it isn't an augmented anything, IMO it is an Em add9 b13, because I'd view the C as a b6 / b13 rather than a 5+. FWIW the ½ diminished chord is more commonly called the m7b5. Functionally it acts like a dominant 7th chord. I completely agree - the magic is adding just enough spice from tension chords. Especially when voice leading.

[@nbnewman]

You saved me having to write the same post. A few more things: Bm7b5 (half diminished) is completely diatonic in the key of C. This chord can also be regarded as Dm6, depending on the root note. The 7b9 chord can also been seen as a diminished chord without the root: E7b9 contains the notes E G# B D F, whereas G#dim7 has the notes G# B D F. This makes such a chord a bit easier to play for a beginning guitarist.

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Love interesting chords in pop songs. I’d say that Weller chord is Emb6 add9. In other contexts it could be C Major7#11/E. Certainly an odd one!

[@damianrf6309]

Hi James How made up are you about the reunion? I’m chuffed for you. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to get back from Brazil.

[@chrishelbling3879]

1/2 dim chord, shows up in lead sheets as Am7-5 or Am7b5.

[@Barflew1]

Liked & subbed..Thanks..💯

[@Jimmy-dq7ug]

Reckon if the announcement is a reunion, will they come to Australia?!

[@683147]

Brilliant! Cheers!

[@mycool8357]

The weller chords don’t sound right to me at all. I have listened to that song since the 90s and never heard that weird chords in the song. But what do I know!!

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful day James also Wednesday is my younger brother birthday ❤😊

[@marcoemariza]

wow, show!

[@79943]

Is there button for standing ovation? If so I would give you one for your explanation of the numbering and notes at the beginning of this. It seems like every teacher I have seen, on here or in person, jump totally past this even with a new student. They start talking about numbers assuming everyone knows what the hell they are talking about. Nicely done. Thank you.

[@mbmillermo]

I would call the Weller chord Em♭6add9. I wouldn't call it augmented because it has the B♮.

[@juventusforlife8785]

Can't wait for reunion video!!! Biblical!!!

[@BeatlesTranscriber]

Why the Hendrix chord when Taxman used this chord way before Hendrix.. ?? Should be called the Harrison Chord.

[@singlesideman]

No, there are 7 notes in the Major scale. You counted the tonic twice.

[@frankslade33]

My guess is that he knows this.

[@AnthonyFlack]

"There are 8 notes in the major scale" - numbered one to seven.

[@masterragebaiter]

The boys are back. How do you feel? I’m about to jump out of my skin

[@kenny75photography2]

The Freddie Mercury chord sounds quite like that chord in the Beatles song "I want you (shes so heavy)".

[@atiostefony3760]

Cool, you should check John McGeoch work

[@carlosgravy7966]

FN cool!

[@mazmitrenko7558]

The 4th chord of the chorus in "Still got the blues" is a D major

[@Rocksite1]

I'm not sure it's genius to use the Hendrix chord; but I always thought if I used it in songwriting, I'd prob. use it in a non-standard key, with some related chords; so it didn't sound too cliche.

[@ianolding8431]

Great channel James If you like original tunes inspired by our heroes let me know what you think cheers

[@ChorltonandtheWheelies]

I don't play guitar but I support all James vids but got to be honest...waiting on his reaction for the BIBLICAL news! This Sally has waited too long....😎🎸📢 Live in '25

[@josegonzalez7759]

James!! Mate!! Its happening!!! Oasis reunion next year!! Hopefully announced onTuesday Aug 27th!!

[@DeadFlowers69]

A guitar student was literally asking me last week WHY a 7th, a minor, a major 7th, a minor 7th, where the way they were. What notes in the scale make them that way. This clears it up. Thanks!

[@lumberpilot]

I am surprised you had to change the key because you couldn't hit the Freddie high notes. You can sing really high as it is. What on earth was Freddie's range?

[@quicksite2]

3:11 - "You don't know me but I'm your brother. I was raised here in this living hell.." Taking it to the streets

[@SimulacronX]

Allan Holdsworth: hold my ale

[@kierenmoore3236]

9:14 … might be easier to think of this as CM7(#4)/E …

[@davidmiller4078]

The last cord looks and sounds like a altered Dominant cord with a flat 9 suspended on the top ? So like the so called Hendix cord resolves nicely in a melodic well written song As guitarisst who have studied a bit the great songwriter s like Gerswin Cole Porter Harold Arlen Anotonio Carlos Jobim etc or have played with pianists might know the Altered Dominat cords are formed naturaly from the 7th mode of the Melodic minor ! Its a fascinating world of Pre Beatles songs out there wairing to be re discovered aka the Great american song book

[@patrickpowell5430]

The 'classic' sequence used by McCartney and Gary Moore: you might have told us that it is simply 2-5-1 which you find everywhere from Autumn Leaves, I Will Survive, Moore's Parisian Walkway and so one. Even Jamiroquai's Virtual Insanity uses a slight variation of it. Learn that you and you will impress anyone who knows a little less about guitar than you do. NB Sorry, wrote the above at 7 mins in BEFORE you mentioned it, so apologies.

[@fenderlead1]

Comment for thé algorithm.. thanks!

[@WaitingForTheHook]

Third chord would be an Emin b6/9

[@chrisgatesmusic]

GUIGSY @ 53sec MARK OF TRAILER!!!!

[@andyhello23]

Will be interesting to see what you say about oasis are back. You know your audience is all waiting to hear what you have to say about your fav band now being back, and touring again next year in uk and ireland. You did some great videos over the years on oasis, so i assume your going to be very happy they are back Me personally i do not care, i will not be seeing the concerts. So will be interested to see what you say, as i am sure your audience to your channel will be interested in how you view there new come back. Oasis should give you vip tickets for one of there shows, you helped promote them alot all these years even though they were broke up. People like you should get a vip tickets, and i have no doubt liam, and noel has seen your videos, just out of curiosity. People like you stayed faithful to them all these years, and thats what they should do for people like you.

[@gx1tar1er]

I think you have become the Rick Beato of the Great Britain lol

[@JordanBerliant]

The chord you are referring to as an "Augmented 9th" is actually a 7-Sharp 9 chord. The note you're referring to as a b3rd is actually a sharp 9th. Yes, it's the same tone but us music theorists are particular about this stuff. An Augmented chord generally refers to chord with a major third and a raised 5th (sharp 5th). So, an actual "Augmented ninth chord" would be spelled 1-3-#5-9. Also, the chord you're referring to as an "e minor augmented add 9" is actually an e minor 9, flat 13th.

[@PeterFrayne-o4n]

@ jordanberliant. It would be add9 as we have no 7th.

[@bellygunnermusic]

I think Emin/aug add 9 would be Em add9 (b13)

[@kierenmoore3236]

CM7(#4)/E … might be easier …

[@benedwards3517]

Where’s the video jamesssss

[@mattriley3236]

James where’s the vid about tomorrow’s news?!?!?!

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

coming tomorrow after the announcement 👍

[@chrisgatesmusic]

Hendrix Chord not an 'E7#9'?? first & foremost....DESIGNATED DRIVER....BRILLIANT!! *know intention is for as little theory jargon as possible, so do me best....but wondering how "Aug" could be used for any note other than the 5th of the chord? Is it something specific to a UK system? If you told me to play "Eaug9", I'd play 'E G# B#(C) D F#' In other words, "Aug" tells me 'raise only the 5th' (even though it's omitted in the Hendrix chord voicing), just as 'Dim' lowers the 5th Simply as possible...Aug & Dim applicable only to the 5th, as Maj/Min only to the 3rd, as those are fundamentals. All other alterations to notes of the scale belong to '# & b' NOT intended to nit-pick, & Apologies if simply a slip. Sincerely interested if is something in a UK system tho....it took a Howard Goodall clarification to inform me that a 'Crotchet' was actually a UK 1/4 note & NOT a 'Gallagher-ism' for something well beyond what belongs in the comments section..lol!! Cheers

[@kazkylheku1221]

And while we are nit picking, the major scale has 7 notes, not 8.

[@fortyyearfitness]

stone temple pilots use a lot of weird chord voicing

[@jcook3986]

A chord that develops directly from the major scale, is not a 'rare' chord