80s Chord Voicing Tutorial - Part 2

As requested, a follow up to my first "80s Chord Voicing Tutorial" from November last year. Hopefully it's useful.
Verse:
1st time
Dm (LH = D D / RH = F A D)
C (LH = C C / RH = E G C)
Dm7add4 (LH = D D / RH = F G A C)
2nd time
Dm (LH = D D / RH = F A D)
C/E (LH = E E / RH = E G C)
Fadd2 (LH = F F / RH = F G A C)
3rd time
Dm/F (LH = F F / RH = F A D)
C/G (LH = G G / RH = E G C)
Fadd2/A (LH = A A / RH = F G A C)
4th time
Bbmaj7 (LH = Bb Bb / RH = F A Bb D)
Am7 (LH = A A / RH = E G A C)
G7sus4(no5) (LH = G G / RH = F G B C)
Chorus:
Bbadd2 (LH = Bb Bb / RH = Bb C D F)
C/Bb (LH = Bb Bb / RH = C E G)
Bbmaj9 (LH = Bb Bb / RH = C D F A)
Gm11 (LH = G G / RH = Bb C D F)
C/G (LH = G G / RH = C E G)
Gm9sus4 (LH = G G / RH = C D F A)
Dm11 (LH = D D / RH = C E F G)
Cadd4 (LH = C C / RH = C E F G)
F/A (LH = A A / RF = A C F)
Sounds used for the full demo:
Roland JX-3P for the main chords
Yamaha DX7 for the bass line
Linn Drum samples for the drums
Yamaha DX7 percussive sounds
Juno-6 doubling the Yamaha DX7
Some guitar layers with Boss CE-2 Chorus and DM-2 delay
Social:
/ alexballmusic
/ alexballmusic

[@ethniix_wav]

I hope I'm not the only one who plays the first 43 seconds on repeat for 4 hours before going into the actual tutorial 😭😭😭🔥🔥🔥🐐

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!

[@Ishkur23]

love that FM bassline. It's so distinctively 80s.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cuts through a mix like a pair of shoulder pads.

[@wmoecke]

@@AlexBallMusic LOL - right on!

[@metallicriffer]

DX7 power !

[@coryndavies]

Brilliant ! very dynamic

[@WAMProducties]

This is becoming one of my favourite channels

[@kieranniemand2939]

“I’ve just got a basic string sound” Hits first chord Me : *tears of joy*

[@AlexBallMusic]

That syrupy Roland chorus. Always beautiful.

[@KnjazNazrath]

Jam loop: Nabbed Hairspray: CFCs O-Zone: Destroyed Guitar: Pointy LET'S DO THIS!

[@wingflanagan]

Don't forget boxy, inefficient car and trendy TV show set in Miami!

[@Buick_GSX]

Hotel: Trivago

[@archaicmelody8119]

@@wingflanagan Cars: Angled

[@ohstirfry]

Tension is so important when making voices. The resolve is so much more gratifying when done write.

[@millionare5446]

its also gratifying when you spell "right" correctly

[@alainvosselman9960]

Nice playing. I was invited by a friend to create synth music. So it's a good thing there's videos like these ... thanks for sharing. Normally i'm into jazz guitar but i've been enjoying the change of musical scenery. It's so much fun working with synths. I was a kid back in the eighties and it's amazing, when i play these instruments how much i must've soaked up as a kid hearing this type music on records, in movies.. it all comes out when you play with those kind of sounds. I love that aspect of creating 80s synth soundscapes. I'll be watching more of your videos.

[@sandspider8961]

This chord voicing series is great! Would love to see your take on a 70s style lush string arrangement going in depth with chamber strings + other libraries you use.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Could do a 70s part 2 at some point.

[@sandspider8961]

Please do!

[@luciebudzinska3886]

@@AlexBallMusic wau wau you give me bloody kick in my heart that harmony what u playing those first 1minute ,it was superb i just watch it to day ,and tomorow im gonna go to the studio and record what you play on that video,and i try to put some progresion's and make it,as the instrumental tune .i love 80s i personaly play guitar piano and i sing to music off the West Coast aor .Luis Miguel,alejandro chanz ed motta chick corea ,peabo bryson ,i can just keep saying names and names hahaaaaaa.but i want you to make on video off one song ,you maybe don't know this song ,maybe u doo .Type on KZbin Bill Chaplin :just to be loved ,and let me know ,i all ready subscribe your video ,well donne mate .Ad me on Facebook (Eugen rostas )

[@spyhunter99]

could definitely listen to a longer version of this tune all day

[@gtripmusic2906]

DX7 bass and Juno chords is pure '80s

[@coryndavies]

this is a great video , all i did on my Modx was split the keyboard , dx7 bass on left , poly synth on right , fantastic !

[@chisel316]

I'm so glad I discovered your channel, Alex! You are definitely one of my favorites. :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you :)

[@andrewverran3498]

I had the jx3p with the programmer in the 90s..Don't miss it as much as my Alpha Juno and PG300 programmer, now that's a great synth.!

[@NumptyButtkick]

80s POWAH!!!!!! Quality Alex, keep these coming please buddy, learning so much :) Thank you !

[@ThomasHope73]

“Saddest of all keys” 😂👍

[@AlexBallMusic]

A meme from a time before memes.

[@wingflanagan]

Perhaps unintended, I've noticed that these particular tutorials point up the tension between Common Practice music theory (by which I just mean diatonic, triadic harmony) as generative vs. analytical. That is - do something that sounds cool on the keyboard by moving your fingers around vs. asking yourself what the next chord should be based on what that dusty composition textbook sitting on your shelf said. Either way, you can categorize and describe it, deconstructing it into its components. BUT (and here's the REAL dichotomy) neither use of theory can explain or construct something that has a soul. Only a person in "the zone" and feeling it can do that. Fascinating...

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, you're absolutely right. Whatever your approach, there's something else that makes the outcome connect with people. I think improvisation and theory knowledge in combination are a potent pairing, but they're still not guarantees of creating good music. They just increase your chances.

[@Ferrichrome]

This is a fascinating subject indeed. It’s important to know how music theory works, it can really elevate your compositions. However many people can improvise without knowing music theory at all. In the end, music is a personal experience, everyone feels it differently. That is why it’s impossible to fully explain why a song makes someone feel a certain way.

[@blenjamin]

I'd agree with Alex that a combination of intuition and theory knowledge working in tandem make a compositional method that's more than the sum of its parts, since I'll always be loathe to say the kind of stuff that would perhaps scare people away from learning theory. ;)

[@wingflanagan]

@@blenjamin I agree 100%. I've been toying with music composition and been a half-assed musician of sorts since I was a teen. Within the last few years, I've gotten serious about learning the craft. But (and this was a bit disappointing, at first) I quickly figured out that craft alone is not enough. There are times when I have to just go to the piano and goof around until something snaps into place. The theory/craft part is in attempting to then shape that raw material into something artistically viable. That's why, IMHO, these tutorials are so great: unlike many KZbin channels about music, Alex has a way of giving both aspects of musical creation (theory and inspiration) suitable attention. You can tell he really loves what he does. It's not just academic; it's a source of joy.

[@blenjamin]

@@wingflanagan Definitely, Alex bridges that small but significant gap effortlessly

[@Carsons12]

This gave me goose bumps. Love your other videos too, which feature movie score mockups and analysis too!

[@N1K5TA]

can't get enough of these! keep em coming Alex:D

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Nik.

[@NoirEtBlancVie]

Best KZbin Channel of 2018 and starting 2019 off right! Good job Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers dude, straight back at ya!

[@testohtoby]

Those tutorials are very helpful! I've been playing the piano for like 10y and playing 80s polys for like 4 and I've never understood chord voicing 🤯 THX !

[@juliansolo1825]

Awesome! Thank you a million times. Pure emotions

[@ageshero]

Omg these chords are so damn beautiful...

[@ProfessorElz]

Part 3 Please!!!!!

[@NeonShadowsx]

top tier channel

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers :)

[@aphexon.]

OH YEAH! LETS DANCE! And have a great weekend ya'll!

[@adamhennessy007]

Love these videos! Thanks so much for making them

[@alison_synths]

The 3P sounds so good!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, and it was a well kept secret until recently. I see they've rocketed in price now. They were going for £300 a couple of years back.

[@alison_synths]

@@AlexBallMusic Yes! Probably the only synth I regreted selling. I'm glad I bought one back recently even though it costed me 900

[@Frog_Puppet]

@@AlexBallMusic I bought one a year ago, but it has stopped working won't power on. Any tips for repairing on the cheap?

[@AlexBallMusic]

@Frog Puppet I'd advise getting it fixed by a professional. It will only come back to bite you. Repairs are part of the vintage deal unfortunately. I have to go to my tech once a quarter for a list of things..

[@Frog_Puppet]

@@AlexBallMusic Ok, thanks for the help!

[@herbytube2006]

Great progression I´m fully into it.

[@updown5238]

Alex you're doing God's work, thanks for your efforts.

[@Table-Top]

Its good, but not _that_ good !

[@updown5238]

That depends on your prerogative, good sir.

[@charlesboyle9223]

He IS that good. Thanks, Alex. (You are that good.....)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Think God prefers a gospel influence, so probably sticks Chicago House on SkyTunes. His favourite chord is Gsus of course.

[@Table-Top]

@@AlexBallMusic Gsus. Good one. : ) Actually a lot of modern pop influence (Rock and Roll etc) can be traced back to church influence. A high number of top artists from Elvis to Whitney Housten to Aretha were church singers. Even *music notation* was invented by the Church centuries ago as they sought ways of recording gregorian chants. Even modes evolved from the church. Take the Christian church out of history and you may not even have "80s" style music. Things might have sounded radically different.

[@philosophiaentis5612]

This is so great that you should put a midi keyboard display on your videos so we can easily visualize the keys you are pressing.

[@jwoz9]

I want a JX-3P so bad, ughhhhhh. You’ve got it dialed in so nice!

[@AndrewRahman]

Great video! Only advice would be to add text to the top of the screen above the synth about the chords. I've found it very helpful in other videos. Thanks for making this!

[@krist0sh]

Woooo, the JX-3p! Finally a synth I can follow along with.. great tune!

[@jornprenger7926]

Awesome video alex!

[@Lowerhaightstreet]

This is an awesome tutorial thank you

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks for watching.

[@SethDuncanICT]

If I ever renew my vows I'm gonna have you play at our reception.

[@philosophiaentis5612]

This should become a single. You should work on that and release on Apple Music and Bandcamp on lossless format.

[@vampolascott36]

My first synth was a 6 voice Prophet 600 so totally get this. I always sacrificed the 2 left hand notes for 1 so I could have 5 on the right. But it's doing the best you can with the polyphony on hand. I never felt like I was limited at the time. I was able to express myself just fine. I'm learning your technique and it's worth paying attention to. I need to plug my Prophet Rev2. It's a great synth and does everything my 600 could do and a whole world more in terms of modulation, envelopes, wave forms, effects, arp and sequencing. The 600 is very loud and pure sounding, totally immediate and in your face, but so is the Rev2 without effects.

[@AHmediaDesigns]

Love it! awesome. Gettin' my 80's game on now! edit: That JX-3P sound tho!

[@christofferainek]

Beyond awesome. So psyched to dust of the old JX3P now 👌

[@josh99620]

We neeeeeeed more chord voicing videos man!!

[@teadat]

Best music channel on KZbin!

[@ohstirfry]

Teadat you must not watch much of these videos then. Other channels have a lot more going on in music theory and harmony.

[@teadat]

@@ohstirfry I watch other music channels such as Andrew Huang but Alex is my favourite because of the vintage gear, interesting topics and obviously the great music

[@ohstirfry]

Teadat if you want pure knowledge go subscribe to Rick Beato. I have learnt more from him, then any other channel. he makes these videos make more sense. And has wells of experience in other production aspects of music.

[@teadat]

@@ohstirfry Ive actually seen some of his videos and hes really talented but the videos seem too analytical for me.

[@lucasc5622]

@@teadat andrew huang is about spending lots of money on toys, not making music. And rick beato never gives any worthwhile music containing the theory he teaches you

[@vco8450]

Awesome video! I would be interesting if you could do a video (or videos) going over certain chord progressions used in this era (or others) and possibly mentioning little aspects that artists have oftentimes incorporated with them or demonstrating elements that give chords a special character like inverting 7ths/etc, explaining distinctive phrases/progressions/bass-line movements...etc I know you've done some of this stuff, but..... I need more of this lol.

[@caglarbas]

purely 80s time machine

[@michalcsanyi5895]

Best synth channel!

[@TheKierensaysmaybe]

Incredible.

[@andresplemons]

Such a great vid. I’m practicing now. Please post another 80s tut

[@jp4751]

Very nice vamp

[@marc72-diamondproduction97]

Thanks for Show This , Great - please More like This

[@jamesstead8495]

Subscribed today and have been messing around with this idea of yours. Great channel and content. You should turn this into a full on synth work out!

[@wmoecke]

Wow - I'll say that again, out loud: WOW!!! I wish I could understand music notation a bit better, so I wouldn 't feel so blind when you describe your chords. But I'll shelll out my 'ol FA-06 and try some of that!

[@patsonmusic]

The FA-06 has some nice retro string sounds and a lot of effects you can add-on. I got one a 2 months ago for a building some backtracks for a birthday party performance and I was positively surprised by the sounds and the sequencer along with sound sets. I will hang on to it, since it's so easy to make demos with.

[@sionnachs_workshop]

very nice again

[@MrMetalsi]

I repeat that intro like 10 times! I like those sounds alot

[@xorpen]

Amazing.

[@chadkirk2977]

you are insanely good at recreating the 80s sound. wtf

[@tigerwolf8338]

Gotta hit these into the sequencer

[@AykutKlc]

Wow. Sounds cool. Like Chris Hülsbeck's Turrican soundtrack.

[@PabloDeModeOfficial]

Great video!

[@MegatronixOfficial]

Great content! We have some synthwave/power metal stuff we think you might dig! Keep killing it!

[@IvanEngler]

NICE!

[@lunarmodule6419]

Man Without Hats guys (Safety Dance song) explained that you had to be handy with the synths in the 80s because they were a bit like Ikea kits. Cords, patches, cables and stuff. Thx.

[@jc_aka_jonathan]

Nice one! I love using major add 4 voicings. Would love to see one with some minor 7 b6 chords - another crunch fav :)

[@akrazie]

what a sound

[@matszh]

Wow, the JX3P was my first real synthesizer back in 1989, now I have to get the JX03 to go with my Reface DX...

[@AlexBallMusic]

It's a great workhorse synth. You _have_ to have the controller though! How do you find the boutique by comparison?

[@matszh]

Alex Ball Actually, I got my boutique today. It’s pretty good, although the chorus is a bit noisy and there’s a bit of aliasing on high frequencies. Other than that I think it’s a nice replica on mid and low registers, and as I said, it pairs very well with my Reface DX for the 80’s sound, plus both are running on batteries, which is good when out travelling.

[@duncanjackson4170]

matszh It’s possible to deactivate the simulated chorus noise on the JX-03.

[@user-sq5xv6dr1v]

Wow. I happen to have the same synth

[@VectressWasHere]

that bassline movement oooo

[@AlexBallMusic]

If in doubt, fire up the DX7. 😀

[@justadude93453]

Keep do this, thanks xoxox

[@benjaminrosewood]

GIVE ME MORE!!!! GIVE US MORE 80s CONTENT

[@MotherBEEOfficial]

{Amazing}

[@kokki7408]

the chords hit me hard like thunder

[@dimensionstomorrow]

Alex, I love your 70s and 80s chord videos. My knowledge of music theory is pretty basic (building chord progressions out of scales, etc). Do you have any recommendations for a good book or online course on harmony? Some of the ones I’ve looked at are giant tones that get really dense, really quickly, so can be hard to follow for someone that isn’t in say a formal music program.

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Well, nice interesting videos keep showing up on my feed today... Will ever finish my work? Naaaa....

[@MrZerolix]

That is cheesey beauty

[@ChristopherByrumHarris]

Next tutorial request. 80-90's training/instructional video music.

[@bradleyhove4177]

Gotta have that thick cheese layer

[@LouisSerieusement]

cool thank you for sharing ! So did your friend take the Prophet Vs back ? Great taste in synth and in music in general, as always :) cheers :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Prophet VS was a loan, yes. Hadn't put the 3P in a video for while, so thought it was nice to mix it up.

[@classicwild698]

i like this 80,s

[@juliansolo1825]

Hey Alex, This tutorial is so awesome, I understand why Mangold recommends your channel! I couldn't miss this opportunity to learn and analyse some nice chords progression and try to understand what gives this feeling and character that so many 80s songs have in common. I guess that it's the Tension notes? So far, its pretty clear to me that we are in the key of Dm except for the 12th chord that you have mentioned to be a G7add4(no5). Could you please tell me if there is any particular reason why you consider it as a G7add4(no5) instead of a Cmaj7sus4/G for instance ? I try to understand :) Then this chord could be seen as the VII degree of Dm and it would stay in the same key? I guess that the G7add4(no5) is seen as the IV degree of its parallel mode, the key of D Major? Also, is there any particular rule to consider a chord to be a add4 instead of a add11 and vice versa? Thank you so much !!! *Careful, the chord G7add4(no5) is written G7sus4(no5) below the video

[@JoshGood66]

Just got a JX-3P + the PG200, can't wait to try these out! Great videos man, keep em comin.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Nice! You'll enjoy it for sure. I've saved quite a few patches I've done that aren't 80s sounding in the slightest. It's very usable synth.

[@GuidoGautsch]

Tubular, dude! 🤘

[@GuidoGautsch]

5:34 is the most 80s sounding thing ever

[@thejdmguru621]

Please make a part 3!

[@moe9892]

Love it

[@jorhay1]

One of the problems with discussing 11th chords, is that so many schools of writing Jazz lead sheets write 11ths differently. Some write F/G as a G11th, or a minor chord with only root, 3rd, 7th, and 4th (11th) as a minor 11th. So there are some that are taught that a dominant 11th has no 3rd or 5th, and that minor 11ths have no 5th or 9ths. Perhaps part of this has to do with the education system and how pianists and guitarists are taught to comp behind a Big Band.

[@Riktenstein]

Excellent again, but where are you getting all these synths from?

[@AlexBallMusic]

The JX-3P is mine, I've had it for 18 months or so. I have a fair collection of stuff, but the most impressive items that features on my channel are because I know some very generous people. So when you see Jupiters and Prophets and things, those are always borrowed.

[@wildhorse4262]

Let's get a part 3

[@WeinbergerOf]

Disco Biscuit Power!!

[@lunarmodule6419]

Not Disco! New Wave! Disco was piano, violin and drums.

[@CertainlyCaro]

@@lunarmodule6419 I believe he's referencing Alex's track "Ich Bin Ein Disco Biscuit"

[@joemaffei]

What did you use for the drums? They sound amazing.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Linn Drum samples and gated verb.

[@Des_Armoni]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🔥🔥❤️

[@olithebackslapper9112]

Hi Alex, thank u so much for this tutorial. Bdw where can I get the background drums?

[@AlexBallMusic]

Just Linn Drum samples through a gated verb. You should be able to find the Linn samples for free or next to nothing online.

[@olithebackslapper9112]

@@AlexBallMusic Thanks!

[@ryancoulburn]

My knowledge on music theory is somewhat low so apologies if this is a dumb question but for 'section2' when you begin on the Bbadd2 chord, is that a modulation from section 1 ? or are you modulating quite frequently in this demonstration ?

[@AlexBallMusic]

The whole piece is in D minor (D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C) and all the chords adhere to that with the exception of the G7sus4(no5) that is borrowed from another key / parallel mode. So, when we go to Bbadd2 we're just starting on chord VI of D minor. In the video I mentioned that it had a "Lydian feel" to it at that point because Bb Lydian mode uses the same noted as D minor but running from Bb (Bb, C, D, E, F, G, A) but we didn't really modulate, we just changed chord within the key we were already in. Hope that makes sense?

[@ryancoulburn]

@@AlexBallMusic Ah okay that makes sense! so the Bb somewhat acts as the root instead of the D in section 2, that is why is it sounds like a change has happened but without changing key ? Also is Lydian mode used a lot in 80s music and that is why you used this change? or is this something you just tried and it worked? i am just wondering how you knew that change to Bb Lydian would work so well, is it because of what say that it uses the same notes as dminor ? Sorry if i am not making sense, i am just trying to understand more on 80s chord progressions and theory.

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@ryancoulburn That's exactly it. The Bb somewhat suggests a moment of Lydian mode which I've highlighted by playing a C/Bb chord as the E natural is a #4 and that's _the_ note that makes the Lydian mode distinctive. I did this because it was used commonly in 80s songs and film scores.

[@ryancoulburn]

@@AlexBallMusic Awesome! i will have a play around using this and try and make some 80s sounding progressions. Thanks for responding!

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@ryancoulburn Pleasure. Have fun and happy new year!

[@shayfresh100]

Hey Alex this sound can be made with Juno 60 or the 106 ?

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, pretty easily.

[@shayfresh100]

Alex Ball can u explain the settings please ?😎

[@AlexBallMusic]

On a Juno it would just be all waves on with some pulse width modulation, filter wide open, chorus on, fast attack, no decay, high sustain, short release. Then a delayed LFO modulating the frequency of the DCOs.

[@shayfresh100]

Thank u very much Alex gonna try it 🙏🙏🙏👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@FrankMcGinnis]

Trying to find this jam as a track on your Bandcamp or SoundCloud. Does it not exist in that form? Or is it called something unrecognizable? Or am I just blind?

[@TheRoseFloyd]

you could have named this video Synthwave 101 !

[@27clubband74]

may I write a hit song with these chords ??

[@YlowX7]

is there a grain effect on the video, or is that the camera glitching out?

[@LightWaveStreet]

4:10 anyone know what song this is? I tried finding it by lyrics and with Shazam but no results so far

[@jaggass]

I should have got the JX-3P instead of the 8P. It sounds so much better

[@AlexBallMusic]

Has the same filter and VCA as the Jupiter 8 and it does sound great. Although the 8P has a second envelope and proper midi, rather than just note on.

[@ruebinb]

It be sweet if you made a tutorial on house music voicing and chord progressions. Everything on the KZbin is how to make chords in DAW and not on an actual synth.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Classic house style? Like late 80s / early 90s gospel influenced stuff? Or more modern?

[@ruebinb]

@@AlexBallMusic I'm thinking 80's / 90's House music. I haven't listened to a lot of house lately. I was thinking more along the lines of pop house music that had some catchy chord progressions. They kinda had a jazzy influence with all the chord extensions. Lots of major minor 7th's

[@mikewright7964]

Make a 10 min video of you doing 80s chords

[@callakracker]

Wow, sounds like a Sonic the Hedgehog stage

[@alias_2236]

2:50 gg