70s Chord Voicing Tutorial

A few weeks back I did an 80s chord voicing tutorial and it was useful to a number of you. A couple of people sparked the idea of doing a different decade, so here's a 70s one. This is the kind of 10cc, Supertramp, ELO, Bee Gees, Elton John kind of vibe.
Timings:
Playing through: 00:00
Breaking down: 01:23
Putting into an arrangement: 11:46
As mentioned in the video, here's some examples of that 11th chord thing that reeks of the 70s!
Bee Gees: How deep is your love
Big dom 11 swell at 16 seconds
• Bee Gees - How Deep Is...
Ace: How Long
First Wurlitzer chords from 17 seconds
• Ace - How Long HD
Player: Baby come back
Again, it’s the Wurlitzer chords in the intro
• Player - Baby Come Back
10cc: I’m not in love
Right at the start you get it
• 10cc - I'm Not In Love
and again in the middle 8
• 10cc - I'm Not In Love
Maria Muldaur: Midnight at the Oasis
11ths all over the place, including the very first chord!
• Maria Muldaur - Midn...
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[@hugodavalos4423]

I know you composed this as a demonstration, but it’s such an incredible arrangement. I’ve rewatched the intro like 5x before I watched the whole video

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Hugo! Appreciate it.

[@balllallalllalllallalhqbal2798]

what song is the first one bro

[@Bluman2]

@@balllallalllalllallalhqbal2798 Sounds like I'm not in love by 10cc

[@Wayne_Robinson]

A groovy tune that makes me want to spray-paint my appliances avocado green and orange. This and your other studies of and compositions in period styles including the Light Music series are much appreciated.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Wayne. Pop your flares, paisley shirt, tank top and Cuban heals on and stand by some brown and orange wallpaper whilst playing these chords.

[@MusicalWizardryMarcoIannello]

Todd Rundgren is a name that comes to mind immediately, when thinking about chord harmonies/vocings in the 70s. Not to mention Yes and all the other prog rock giants, all alongside the examples you linked

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, Mr Rundgren is guilty of dominant 11ths. My favourite thing he did is still that love theme in Dumb and Dumber. Total genius.

[@thegovernmentinthesunshine]

@@AlexBallMusic Reminded me as well of his work with The Band, particularly the chord progression on 'Sleeping', which I love.

[@audiodood]

@@AlexBallMusic todd rungren is arguably the most important 70s musician, check out Initiation for example

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

Hey now, I caught that Steal Away moment in there!

[@dox1755]

Ayee, I was just watching your videos and they are the reason why I am here !

[@redbeard365]

What an awesome composition! It had me in Boston in the back of Taxi in 1978. Rain beating against the window as I was headed home from a great evening of Pints with my buddies at Cheers.

[@ramoniak6]

I can't believe how this instantly sounds like Queen or Electric Light Orchestra.

[@theshyguy1580]

Or Hall & Oates

[@chnacr2]

Or Elton John

[@95SouthProductions]

Or The Bee Gees

[@BerndThomasSchuller]

"She's gone" by Hall and Oates also has the A/B (or B11). Sweet stuff, love these harmonies.

[@user-qf4zs6qj4c]

Good call. Speaking of which, this is a killer version - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJC8g3eDmL6dpa8

[@triad5766]

It’s used in so many R&B songs it’s almost pointless to name examples. From the Bee Gees to the Isley Brothers, it’s an R&B staple. It’s used as the standard voicing for the V chord more often than not.

[@wingflanagan]

I just realized I was learning some music theory in addition to penetrating the mysteries of the 70's sound. What a wonderful way to expand your horizons in terms of tonal harmony! Not sure if you meant this have more general application, but I think you're hit upon a marvelous hook for self-taught folks (like me) to brush up on some more formal topics in an entertaining way. Thanks!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Inadvertent learning is the best kind. Glad they're useful. These kind of informal videos are quite easy to make compared to the documentaries that take piles of coordination. Might knock out a few more whilst my big projects are bubbling away behind the scenes.

[@WyattLite-n-inn]

Wing Flanagan 70’s chord voicing

[@LukeZeppelin]

dude can't thank you enough for this, been wanting to make 70s style music for a while but have been in a creative rut, this'll help me get out of it for sure!

[@jpc_337]

That intro was so relaxing. Has major Carole King vibes!

[@davidnoir188]

TV show Idea: 10cc go to Hill Street where Neil Diamond and Gilbert O'Sullivan are tough detectives....now if we could only find a theme tune that fits (thinking face emoji)

[@Interdimensions]

I can hear straight away Freddie Mercury voice on top of that intro, amazing!

[@Greenaresy]

Wow. I can smell the 70's wallpaper through my speakers.

[@chris.dillon]

Wow. I mean the piano walkthrough was interesting but what a nice track surprise with everything put together!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. Thought it helped give some context, glad that came across.

[@stefan1024]

Come on, don't tell everybody! These are the last tricks I'm left with. ); (very cool, do '60s next!)

[@flyingcrowbar1599]

I’m drowning in schmaltz! Brilliant. I love it. There’s a lot there to digest. Very cool.

[@mrzubairarshad]

This has been really powerful as any other video would just talk about the chords but not how to make it musical

[@M2m154]

This is what a perfect 12 mins tutorial looks like to me. Honestly, a ton of knowledge in a short time.

[@jonnuanez2843]

Shades of everything from I'm Not In Love to "Greatest American Hero" to "Nobody Does It Better", etc...all the 70s cliche ballads. Nice. Love it.

[@Digiquarium]

The A minor is just the 4 minor. Go back a few decades and listen to some Jazz standards and you'll be hard pressed to find a song that doesn't use it. What it really is is a backdoor cadence condensed in to 1 chord. You could equally play A minor 7 - D7 - E maj or C major 7 - D7 - E maj. Effectively the dominant sus - dominant from the key a minor third up. The minor and major scales should both feature an added flat sixth degree, that way you get a recurring pattern of tonic - diminished. The diminished notes can then be used to create movement within the tonic chord, which is why it sounds nice and resolved when the melody note moves from the G sharp to the F sharp on the 4 minor chord, or when the flat sixth moves up to the natural 6th on the tonic. There are loads of possibilities. Trying to break this music down using standard school taught western music theory is a waste of time because it starts with Jazz and Jazz does not begin with the 7 note scale. It's also worth noting that the 11th chord is just a 2-5 or 4-5 progression over a pedalled bass note. F sharp minor 7 to B 7 is essentially B 7 sus to B 7, and there loads of ways to play that. You don't always have to play the same bass notes.

[@93theproducer47]

Man this is phenomenal. So good!

[@noonesflower]

Excellent idea

[@Aquatarkus96]

The master of chord voicing in the 1970s imo was Tony Banks. Man he knows how to take you places with his keys parts!

[@2dan4me97]

there's something about the chords throughout Trick of the Tail, so many slashes and numbers

[@Chocolatchips]

This was beautiful work, Alex!

[@gsrdtg]

Awesome and very clever. Luv this !!

[@sionnachs_workshop]

very cool arrangement

[@davidlealmusic]

That was incredible, bro. Please keep making videos like this.

[@jfjusa1]

looove this sound! i remember all those tunes from the 70's!!!! thanks so much!

[@NeilVanceNeilVance]

Man, you are so so generous for sharing this tutorial.

[@josephsee8481]

I loved this video. I'm a big fan of 70's music and am trying to start capturing that sound in my own compositions... can't wait to try out these tips!

[@PocketUnv]

Wow, your videos keep inspiring me, thanks a million!

[@nanaandbump.]

Awesome video! Very well explained, thanks for the lesson!

[@polkmusic]

Great video. I love the sound of the 70s. Keep them coming.

[@odinmp5]

This is brilliant.

[@marcelodiana82]

Beautiful arrangement Mr. Ball!

[@ericstorm4613]

Bless you for this heavenly music.

[@dustincassidy]

Totally awesome and well done

[@trevorshelly756]

This is awesome as someone who really enjoys music theory and chord progressions. I subscribed so I don't miss the next decade you cover

[@gordrum]

That was lovely. Well done.

[@scottrossgirvan8009]

Great piano tone.

[@domoremos5454]

Absolutely amazing stuff Alex! Ben Folds has been my primary inspiration so I've ended up internalising the kinds of voicings he uses. He absolutely loves the '4th over 5th' motif (see Alice Childress, start of Jackson Cannery etc) along with a lot of the other devices you describe. Ben was a kid in the 70s so it makes sense that this vibe infects his entire repertoire.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Absolutely! Loved Ben Folds since the 90s. "Philosophy" also has the inverted 4 over 5 thing I did going into the chorus.

[@b00i00d]

I think you've struck gold with your decade breakdowns! great concept

[@ZapAndersson]

I love these videos! Very helpful!

[@wilberforce95]

finished product sounds super ELO, I love it

[@C-DM96]

Would love a part two really enjoyed learning this progression and the theory behind it !

[@RRRRRRP]

I come back these videos every so often, would love to see some more 👍🏻

[@sidowninc]

It's great that you're teaching this because I've always thought about these sort of patterns in music. Finally, I get to understand why and how they work. Thanks, dude!

[@soletrait]

This intro is balancing my soul, i love the tune, actually this is THE performance! Thank you Alex for what you doing 💖

[@jackcprime]

what an awesome tutorial! really in-depth, this is great! the final multilayer track in the DAW sounds beautiful too.

[@DrTune]

Your end result is awesomely 70's, it's just oozing !

[@loicdesjardinsmusic]

Yet another ABBAzing video ! Thanks.

[@tehedx]

The final production really sounds good! I payed attention to how your piano recording was. Very clean, balanced and pleasant to listen to, both your voice and the instrument good to hear, not one dominant over the other. Well done!

[@theshyguy1580]

The piano, those beautiful chord progressions, makes you feel like sitting outside in the sunset next to your AMC pacer. So glad i subscribed to you!

[@muse4ik]

This is fantastic!! You should definitely keep doing these, it doesn't have to be a specific decade per se, just keep breaking down these musical styles, between these and the Spiffing Guides I'm loving your channel, and also kudos for the perfect 70's film aesthetic, this kind of attention to detail does not go unnoticed!

[@Kkidzz]

Really great. Love how you start with chord progression explanation and then pop into the DAW layout. Gotta love those Spitfire strings; nice touch grouping them with String Machine. I keep going back to Prefab Sprout's album Two Wheels Good/Steve McQueen('85); such beautiful chord progressions. Thanks and please keep doing these.

[@kevinsilitonga205]

So useful! And your yamaha piano sounds so pleasant as well.

[@skaneverdies]

Do you teach music theory for a living? Either way, you have a real gift for it. I've struggled through traditional classes for years and have only found success by following someone like you who can deconstruct a complex progression. You are awesome.

[@voodoodownrecords]

This is so great. I've been wanting to teach myself this style of piano forever, but didn't have the patience to sit down and properly crack it. Thank you so much!!

Brilliant! Just like the 80s chord video. To be able to capture the essence of all these songs and a whole era... :) really. Brilliant.

[@filtafacta]

Great job 👍🏻

[@cjc363636]

This is just great! I can hear the 8=track hiss in the final mix! A 70s alternate universe hit for sure.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Some from Vulf Compressor, a little bit more from U-He Satin. Gotta have that noise floor for 70s!

[@hitsonacousticguitar]

I love this chords. Thanks for the video

[@danielristovdr]

Beautiful Also, Love the Channel - thanks for existing

[@alexnw1986]

Harvest for the world Intro is a good one for those cross/over chords

[@margix1172]

baby come back and I'm not in love are two amazing immortal masterpieces

[@iLexor]

Great as always. I guess just keep going back through the decades and centuries until you hit the big bang. :D

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ha. I'll get out the harpsichord, lute and stone drums.

[@iLexor]

@@AlexBallMusic I really hope you do. Internet promises are binding. ;)

[@mikeymaguire7085]

best tutorial of all times

[@graxjpg]

“Canterbury scene” musicians like Dave Stewart really inspire me. KZbinrs like you really teach me! Thanks so much for this wonderful video.

[@lee_at_sea]

this is outstanding .. perfect for my level on piano and needs .. i appreciate that you assume the viewer is competent, and just go through the facts .. if anything is beyond our knowledge we can look it up these days, and the approach just keeps it flowing, speaking like to your piers i'll be studying this and the 80's voicing lesson a lot in the next month or so bravo man!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Chris. Glad it flows well. I've been trying to strike that balance of not too simple vs not overly complicated.

[@dzod]

This was utterly brilliant.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers.

[@rogeriosobreira2597]

Great vibe! lovely chords!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers.

[@DavidWalterKleinhans]

My, My, why couldn't I find you!!!!!!, I love it, start to learn orchestration in the fashion you teach. not a music reader but do it by ear. Thank you very much. Once again I love it. very simply done.

[@HiEnergyMusic]

Really liked that chord line you composed and the very thorough explanation. Thanks! Keep it up!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you.

[@diyechochamber]

This was awesome! Super helpful! Definitely, going to go through again :)

[@goldenmoleful]

I love your videos, very helpful!!! Thank you

[@MangoldProject]

Great work and ideas, and also camera angle (I pay attention to those things ... ). And the strings in the end are fantastic!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. Yes, actually quite hard to do, especially when microphones are also involved. The camera has to be at ceiling height!

[@jeremyrodriguez9828]

MANGOLDDD this guy reminds me of you :))

[@RosieKelso]

Wow just discovering this now and it's a godsent, seriously. If I could just beg for you to make more of this nature- it's so useful and there's nothing like it elsewhere. Disco voicings? More 70's voicings? Maybe even a variety of common chord progressions used in these styles?

[@sheevepalpatine8267]

This is so good

[@Adam-Y-Trancer]

This is one brilliant tutorial! Especially your track at the end...That was some magical music right there!!! THANKS FOR SHARING THE KNOWLEDGE!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Adam.

[@rdoetjes]

This could be an opening song for a late 70s TV show indeed :) I see large smiling people, heads. A typical middle class house, bell bottoms :)

[@plaustrarius]

I am loving these! Thank you, absolute subscribe!

[@StefanoLanzavecchia]

I see that you have finally brazenly embraced the true meaning of the IV over V chord. Good, good :-) I was born in the very early 70s...Though I used to consider myself a child of the 80s musically those 11th chords must have infected my system. Very nicely done, once more.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yep, it's a great sound and for very different reasons than the 80s. Love them both.

[@AHmediaDesigns]

Awesome. I love these tutorials. I grew up in the 80's learning piano and was heavily influenced by a lot of 70's music and immediately recognized many of the voicings you used. Great stuff!!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. Yes, there were definitely some common themes in the 70s. If you know them you'll spot then straight away, as you say.

[@youknowmysteez1100]

dude this is dope thank you

[@palinoman]

AWESOME SONG!!!!

[@macronencer]

From Hill Street Blues to ELO. Nice work!

[@hugolima3364]

Ohh dear lord, what an amazing song you just did. And you made it fell like it was done while having breakfast. 👌

[@NedBouhalassaVideos]

Thanks for this, Alex! Excellent timing for me to discover this today as I’m composing in that very style this weekend for a potential scoring gig!! 😃👍😃

[@AlexBallMusic]

Pleasure. Good luck with the scoring!

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Give this man a medal! Great as usual. You bring me back to when I was a child.

[@AlexBallMusic]

You played dominant 11ths as a child? ;)

[@DarkSideofSynth]

LOL! No but I did hear them ;)

[@tubeMonger]

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks.

[@rpavich]

Freaking brilliant! thanks so much for this.

[@AlexeyFilippenkoPlummet]

This is amazing.

[@ProfessorSynth]

Great, I was back there 😀

[@dwaynemusik]

10cc I'm not in love knew it as soon as I heard it

[@peter-jamesmmbago8721]

Thanks for detailing the intervals bro..

[@jaggass]

Gorgeous piano sound. It blows keyboards away. I sort of understand chords but have done it by ear. You maybe able to understand what ive done with a song i wrote on a Juno 6.

[@stefan1024]

can I borrow a feeling?

[@secondslate7158]

Came here for the fun soft rock progressions and got a Simpsons reference. What a classic.

[@amircohen5925]

Hey Alex, you are running me out of compliments :) AMAMAZING !!!! (added a "MA" to distinguish it from an already used compliment :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ha. Cheers Amir.

[@gerardlange4156]

bro u are insannneee this is amazing