80s Chord Voicing Tutorial

[@AlexBallMusic]

Hello, Thanks for watching my video and for the comments and feedback. I get the same question sent to me a lot which is "can I use these chords / can I sample the audio and use it in my track?" Well, the point of the video is that I show you the principles of chord voicing so that you can write your own music. These are my chords and my composition using the concept, so using them as-is would mean we'd get into co-writing / interpolation etc and it just gets messy. If you're remixing it for a bit of fun and not selling it or monetising it, then I don't mind. But if you're putting out an album or wanting to make money from a track, I'd encourage you to write your own progression because then it's yours to use as you please. Many thanks

[@chromaticswing9199]

I respect your opinion but I don’t think you can really own a chord progression. Like how many people would be in trouble if the I V vi IV or the I IV V was copyrighted? And how would one copyright a simple root position triad chord voicing, or any of its myriad of variations? I don’t know all of the answers but the fact is that music shares a language, and while you can copyright a book or slogan, you can’t copyright the phrase, “I love you”. At least in America!

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@chromaticswing9199 My chords are performed in a specific order, with specific voicings, with a melody entwined and with specific rhythmic values. That's what I was referring too. That's totally copyrightable and mine. Especially as people are actually sampling the recording from the video and not even replaying. If someone wants to compose something with the same relative chord numbers then that's different. Absolutely.

[@chromaticswing9199]

Yeah fair enough, agreed

[@hkb1979]

You should turn this into a proper track and release it. That would put it all to rest. And I'd be able to listen to it more often! Seriously I've come to this video a dozen times in the last year to hear the song in the intro. Please do something with it - it's great.

[@리주민]

Can chords be sustained with "voice lead" or some other synth string/choir? Trying to play a few 80s songs and it sounds like there is no empty space. The treble clef is played by piano and the bass clef by the bass, and the strings seem to not follow the melody. An example is Chicago's Look Away. Please let me know.

[@creatingacomposer3838]

The chords in the intro make my knees weak.

[@JohnSmith-in1tt]

80’s Chord Voicing Chord Tutorial: just play any chord with a Juno-6. Done

[@TayTayMakesBeats]

Or you can go with the patrician's choice, the stale cracker of synths, the mighty DX7!

[@MusokeMSK]

Basically... Yea that's it

[@siklabbaga]

Step 1: Buy a Juno6 or a DX7 Step 2: Prophet?

[@tracyallen4238]

Agreed with both. However broken chords are what's on deck.

[@ZapAndersson]

@@TayTayMakesBeats I hate the DX7's and their sounds with a passion of a thousand exploding suns. Sorry, just had to throw that out there.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

6:15 "Ooh, that's sounds nice, iinit" is the most British expression of chordal joy possible.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Think I said "dunnit" but in a mumbled way. Possibly makes it even more British.

[@andrearonen3409]

Hey. You know stuff. You do good stuff. You deserve more people to see your stuff.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. I have more stuff planned with stuff in it, and stuff.

[@ArieAGinting]

@@AlexBallMusic and you got interesting Humor Stuff LOL

[@oromoiluig]

I'm into stuff and you're into stuff.

[@gazzamuso]

What the hell this is amazing

[@MartinJovanovic]

Oh he does know stuff, Andrea, and he's freakin pleasant to listen to

[@zachmiller2601]

This was amazing! Would absolutely love similar types of videos for different eras. Chord voicings for 50's/60's Vocal Jazz (Sinatra), 60's R&B/Soul (Al Green, Wurlis + Rhodes), 70's funk, so on and so forth. This is the type of learning that works best for me by far, so thank you so much!

[@NathanPrillaman]

Killer voicings. That's a great patch for demonstrating, too.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. I think it's nearly impossible to get a bad patch on a Juno, which always helps!

[@hankhillsdisappointedsigh]

@@AlexBallMusic Am I missing something? I got the TAL U-No-62 and I have copied the settings to the best I can and it sounds significantly different than the patch you are using, namely way crappier.. lol. What am I doing wrong?

[@AlexBallMusic]

I've never used TAL, so I don't really know without sitting in front of it. Demos I've heard of it sound very close to the real Juno. Theoretically it should be a case of matching the settings and possibly tweaking very slightly.

[@hankhillsdisappointedsigh]

@@AlexBallMusic That's what I figured, but I noticed several of the settings off to the left are not there on the VST. :/

[@ink2296]

@@AlexBallMusic im having the same problem

[@tim_arterbury]

Such an eye opening tutorial. Its cool how the limitations in synth voices contributed to the voicing style of the 80s (and using synths in general).

[@EricJacobusOfficial]

You could do soundtracks for all these nostalgia games and movies they make now. Just hit a few keys and you're good.

[@koba5152]

It’s you

[@giantenemybird2687]

Im 2 mins and 30 secs into this video and you've already taught me 2 critical pieces I've been missing out on. Thank you

[@rayderrich]

3 years later I thank you for explaining this, I am studying the whole synthwave thing and you helped me very well.

[@AykutKlc]

What other resources do you use? I also want to make some synth wave tracks in future.

[@ericwinter4513]

This makes me desirous of a synth...like on the show Humans

[@victoza9232]

That's a great show! It sucks that they cancelled it.

[@RicardoDiLago]

Now i have got a Juno-6 myself i am appreciating the sound of 6/60 more. never really wanted them but the sound is so lovely and warm. so pleasant to listen to and play with. this vid inspires to try the chords

[@CherryHead89]

That last part where the echo was added...it melted my heart.

[@cooperfrancis7551]

"some people say there is no such thing as an 11 chord" I don't want to talk to those people

[@ericwinter4513]

Cooper Francis I don’t think anyone is out there saying that there’s no such thing as a minor-11 chord. It’s when people write D11 that it starts to get nonsensical.

[@jessetervo1719]

@@ericwinter4513 How is that? I mean how D11 does not make sense?

[@ericwinter4513]

Jesse Tervo Well, what would the notes of a D11 chord be?

[@jessetervo1719]

@@ericwinter4513 D, F#, A, C and G and an option to use E if they like

[@ericwinter4513]

Jesse Tervo D F# A C E G? Notice that you end up with the interval of a minor 9th between the F#, the third, and G, the 11. What you have is neither a D7 nor a D7sus, so the quality of the chord becomes kind of confused. Can you have the 3rd and the 4th (11) in a dominant chord? Simply put, yes, but it requires a lot of skill for it to work and not just sound messy. I think the tendency is to voice it with third above the 4th, so that you end up with a major 7 instead of a minor 9, and the symbol is written as D7sus (add 3) My main point is that you see this chord symbol often written in Beatles books and such in error when they don’t intend the series of notes mentioned above.

[@cayvzcult]

The extensions are what gives your music more of a distinct voice. Like, real expressive music. Not to say you should never use power chords or triads. But 80s music was so great because of the inventiveness. Which you display in your video. Great job!

[@MrJohnnym30]

Colin Cayvz .;’

[@blockbusterlady5993]

That first melody made my heart melt.

[@toxic_positivity2087]

I've remembered and come back to watch this video probably 10 times 😂 over a couple years. Good stuff. Any more 80s chord or synth techniques in this style would be 🙏🏻✌️

[@baronroth6122]

11th if 7th is present, 4th if no 7. "Add" if 3rd is present, "sus" if no 3rd.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, absolutely. I said that about the 11th chord because I've seen various debates about how the 4th and 11th are enharmonically equivalent (especially if the harmony is voiced in such a way that it's within the same octave as the third). But then a 13th could also be a 6th, so I don't follow the argument. I think there are 11th chords if there's a 7th exactly as you say.

[@FlorissMusic]

Sus4*

[@officialnovadrome]

instructions unclear, solved calculus

[@mikethemusicman1978]

@@officialnovadrome u could call it an add 11 if there's no 7th whether dominant or major 7

[@williamhealy6381]

He's speaking the language of gods

[@lokovites6687]

Very good tutorial on chords voicing in general. Thanks! ❤

[@_mickmccarthy]

Love videos like this, every time you come back to them you learn a little bit more. Great work Alex

[@TheRealPrimeOne]

I love that synth patch! So rich and lush.

[@beattherapydotcom]

So rare to find someone able to speak this language in such a casual manner... I like to think I can understand part of it at least!! Sounds great!! Will have a go in my next soundtrack. Thank you for this! 😅💙

[@anthonysilva5312]

I’m a guitar player. It’s nice to see a lesson where someone knows their harmony and doesn’t move at a snails pace.

[@davidlloyd9598]

Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing the left and right hand voicings. They sound good on my DX7.

[@chrisblubbi9554]

It doesn 't matter what you are playing on a Juno 6. A Juno 6 is pure music. Thank you for your video and have a lot of fun with your Juno.

[@jorhay1]

Mr Ball is legit. Quite possibly the best 80’s chord video on KZbin. Bravo sir. Subscribed.

[@singlesideman]

I guess I'm just an eighties chap because I've been making chord voicings like this since, well, the eighties... Wonderful to see and hear this. And the envelope on this patch is great - it sounds like a sweet, soft and loving kitty cat meowing and rubbing its face against yours.

[@bentrolley4316]

Best comment. Came to see what problem people could possibly have with 11 chords, turns out that's all silliness and I was gettting kinda frustrated until I came across this bit of loveliness :)

[@monsaemon]

So glad the algorithm made me stumble into this video! Changed the course of my piano practice today. It quickly became playing with synth patches in Logic and playing these awesome voicings!

[@OliKember]

God this was useful. I would take a voicing lesson on every decade from you. Glorious.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Oliver. A 70s one would be quite doable and is distinctly different. Thinking of that kind of Chicago, Elton John, Supertramp, 10cc kind of area. Will have to think up a little progression.

[@OliKember]

@@AlexBallMusic Awesome! Fingers crossed.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Had a quick noodle and have a good 70s one. Will make a quick video in the next week or so.

[@OliKember]

Alex Ball Whoop!

[@baloothedrummer]

Oliver Kember i would too, I hope he does a series on that

[@jwoz9]

This is awesome man. Loving the sound of the juno and the chords. Cheers

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. Love the sound of the Juno too!

[@esqinanda]

80s chords voicing are beautiful

[@garrettfahrbach]

Thanks for posting this, it was very helpful to learn some new flavorful voicings!

[@alecornelli]

Spandau round and round, china chrisis black man ray.....you nailed it man. Gives me goosebumps. Thank you sir, you keep that flame alive

[@Horaciowild1]

The best keyboard tutorial on KZbin.I was ready to give up until i found your channel

[@vinsokukan1879]

Juno-6 banks always had the warm "I'm at a port some where between Alpha Centauri doing a cargo run now off to LV-264 to relax with a bottle of exotic wine while I kick back & watch a Cas A nebula P.S. Jamiroquai loved using this is some of their music

[@pummcrisp]

Lmao

[@youlittlesaget]

The Juno-6 doesn’t have any banks, because it doesn’t have any patch memory.

[@chinnarciso]

1st part was nostalgic in a way that would make people cry and reminisce good times

[@NilsFLindberg]

God bless you. This is just the kind of inspiration I needed this weekend.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Nils.

[@breadzeppelin2705]

That intro progression reminds me of Fireflies for some reason, love it

[@soulrydaz]

Great job Alex...keep these tutorial coming especially from that magical 80s era💯👌🏾

[@b00i00d]

Very helpful that, besides the video, you've included a synopsis of the chords in the description. Thanks for this post!

[@bjcarpenter2246]

I couldn't have learned without the VHS effect. Thanks so much!

[@TheBeatfox]

Looked more like a film effect to me. Legit felt like I was watching an '80s music video!

[@zooblestyx]

This patch and these chords. The soul of the Juno-6.

[@KidMrRemixes]

Thanks you Alex. I’m not a musician but I do dabble in electronic music. this has totally inspired me so much to be more creative with what I’m writing.

[@negvey]

For real thanks for writing out the chords in a simple manor in the description, really do appreciate that, i can practice now :)

[@Turak_64]

Hmm, not sure what I watched just now. A nice simple, clean video without any over the top cuts and stupid gimmicks. The content was explained slowly, with plenty of easy to follow instructions and even some free VSTs thrown in... I didn't think it was possible to get such content on KZbin anymore

[@scottmacgregor4622]

I enjoyed that very much. I've always been partial to the 1-5 voicing in the left hand. The added clusters in the right hand really coax out some interesting voicings.

[@80too23]

In my head, Howard Jones was singing over this!

[@GBPaddling]

Singing or sighing?........aaah.

[@cameronmarshall9556]

That was brilliant, really great to have every note explained, showing how a subtle voicing change can make a huge difference. Please do a few more..!

[@DjCutman]

so interesting! and love that Juno sound

[@ZoeSummers1701A]

More 80’s please! I learnt so much from this!

[@Senji_223]

I wasn't born in the 80's era but the music sure was nice and still is to this day and retrowave music something feels nostalgic to me for some reason

[@themonth]

Thanks a lot mate! Love the synth tracks poping up around the world nowadays.

[@annieandnancytv6530]

This is a great video Alex, we have just bought our family a Akai mini to start the musical journey for our children. Being in a band myself previously, I was more of a guitar person, but we are now looking at the synth/80's synth style. This video has been a great help.

[@JonMurray]

That opening piece mate. Just bloody lovely.

[@offbyjuan]

Beautiful patch, and beautiful voicings

[@wishwashstudios437]

Reminds me of journey faithfully, great job Alex!

[@robotboot]

for someone like me that has mostly been sequencing and now wants to play some keys this is so helpful.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Great. Sequencers and hands on complement each other, so it's good to explore both. Glad it helps in some way.

[@robotboot]

@@AlexBallMusic yes i totally agree. i used to be rock hard on the grid and now i like it a bit looser. still sequence heavy but a bit more lively.

[@ErikOrchestralTutorials]

Good, clear, straight forward video. Thanks, Alex!

[@dylanJsaih]

You probably thought nobody noticed the 80s tv grain on the video. Very detailed of u

[@paulmorris1834]

This has to be of my favorite 80s chord tutorial

[@studilocker4439]

That tip with the muddy intervals at the lower notes was very very interesting to hear! Thanks a lot..I noticed it but had no rule :)

[@Langley-22]

you are amazing, man, sounds like heaven! Thanks!!!!

[@korhansoydan]

How come sound itself has the ability to change your mood? Same chords but different sound makes different mood. Why? What is the subconscious thing behind that and why (esp 80s) synths shine out more than other instruments?

[@philongt95]

Yeah same chords and tones.. but timbre also plays a huge role in your subconscious perception of music and sound :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Totally true. Just play D minor on a harpsichord, then a church organ organ, then a Rhodes, then a Jupiter 8 and the same one chord will evoke totally different emotions and imagery each time. And that's before even extensions, progressions, melodies, arrangements etc. So much scope from seemingly so little source material. That's the joy!

[@anachronismic]

If you want to look into it more look into timbre.

[@Ndlanding]

@@AlexBallMusic I have never heard such balderdash in all my puff!

[@AlexBallMusic]

@Ndlanding The same chord played on different instruments evoking different emotions is balderdash? Ok.

[@TampaKurt]

I would buy your synthwave album sight unseen

[@youngwaveaudio9390]

This is good stuff, it's simple as you say but I love how this kind of phrasing sounds, I was born in 94 but I play piano with this kind of inflection without thinking about it. Some sick ideas in here, makes me want to dig out my da's old Korg for that olde vibe.

[@ProfessorElz]

Thank you so much for this. These chords put me on a whole new level with my piano playing.

[@cybersurfer3d837]

Thank you so much for this. I have a minilogue korg synth and I’ve been trying to learn more chords/progressions like this. Your awesome!!! This video was very helpful. Especially with understanding how polyphonic chords works. I’m stoked to apply this teaching 🤘🏼

[@AlexBallMusic]

Glad you found it useful Andrew. Hope you have fun with it.

[@SamuelDilmar]

Yo, super helpful! I've been amassing a YTubs playlist of vids discussing Pop music styles during my time in college. Really helps fill in the gaps classical training leaves behind. Luv your stuff ya saucy devil! Rock on!

I find it a lot clearer than the guide to light music because it's less hasty; you take the time to explicit each chord transition: it's A-class education. Learnt a lot from it. Thanks! (These chords are a bit Aaron Copland-like, which is very interesting.)

[@osvaldomesamusic]

thanks for the video! this tips are pure gold!

[@KevinStCroix]

Miss my Juno 6. Wicked. Thanks. More please!

[@KevinStCroix]

2 yrs ago and I finally bought another Juno 6. Worth every penny to get "that" sound. There really is nothing like "that" sound". A poly six really does not have the same character.

[@sram993]

That was so incredibly beautiful and evocative!

[@margotmuller2893]

danke, danke, danke!! das macht uns glücklich! didi aus köln, germany

[@davidsimons5944]

I bought one in 1982 as my first synth through a Watkins copicat. I part exed it for a pro one & a small system 100m. A while later I bought an Oscar non midi, but I missed the Juno sound & polyphony, so exchanged the Oscar at Dougies music for a Juno 106. Later I added another Juno 6 but sold that as I also had a Jupiter 4. My 100m now has 15 modules & a few years ago I had the 106 Kiwi modded. I only regret losing the Oscar, though Midi mod would've been nice. A prophet 5 long since replaced the pro one but may not work now. Wanted to add IO to JP4 but its now defunct unless I find the money!

[@baigmusic]

Wonderful channel Alex, subscribed! Frickin love the sound of the 80s haha

[@Will-A.]

Excellent stuff @AlexBall, ignore the naysayers/ trolls, whatever they are, if you haven't already. I've been playing around with a MicroKorg for a year or so, then bought a used Yamaha CS1 not so long ago, superb sounds from that, then last week a brand new Roland FP-90, which isn't short on some lovely, lush synth-like sounds even if it's more piano like, weighted keys and all. Now all I need is another set of hands ...

[@StefanoLanzavecchia]

Every time you have a root and a triad above down one step (i.e.: LH: G or G D, RH: F A C or inversions) that, in my book, is an 11th chord. Yes sir. You can call it F/G, D-7/G but, to me, that's a G11. OK, no 3rd... tough luck. Bonus: take the triad, add the maj 7, and you've got your 13th... Tongue in the cheek? Maybe... By the way: great content, and great presentation. I'd be tempted to add "as usual" but that puts pressure for the future. So I'd prefer to say "once more" (and not unexpectedly so...).

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks! Yep, agree it's Gm11, even if the 3rd is missing. It's what's implied. But there's definitely a school of thought that argues there is no 11 chord and it's a 4th by function. I've heard passionate proponents, even though I'm happy with the concept of 11ths! Guess it's a matter of taste.

[@noahj008]

Sweet! I finally know how to write music using my mom's 1987 Roland Juno-106!

[@jfjusa1]

sounds just like the 80-s. very cool! thank you for the lesson!

[@PortodeIdeias]

Man, what a beautiful sequence

[@romangamer9177]

This was inspiring! need more of this please!!!

[@moognificat]

Absolutely yes to all of this. Great video! I'd like to amplify your mention of that 1st inversion F chord towards the end of the progression. So 80's! I hope that sticking the bass on the 3rds of our chords will come back into mainstream fashion soon.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes totally, they're even in the Back to the Future theme. First inversion I to IV to V sus4. Screams 80s. Reckon it's come full circle now, I use it all the time.

[@insensituity1]

Excellent video. I would love to see a video showing the settings for your 20 favorite Juno 6 patches with brief demonstrations so that I can steal them for my Juno 60.

[@keytardan1]

Juno 6 was my first synth back in 84.

[@chadkirk2977]

This is the greatest sound of all sounds in the entire history of sound

[@Meenousemusic]

That's actually a good hint with 6 voices. Thank you, awesome channel mate. Even clicked the bell.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yep, a small but crucial thing! Thanks for stopping by.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

very the midnight alex, killer chords, thx for the upload

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Woody!

[@EzyoMusic]

Hey, you are both awesome! ;)

[@Jay_Percival]

Love these chord descriptions mate. ♥️❤️Awesome work

[@henryaposto3550]

Your videos are so good dude.

[@N1K5TA]

Loved it ! Can’t get enough 80s ...Yes more of these please :)

[@morph-the-cat]

Great stuff! It's pretty validating for me because I play like this already haha

[@adrianastello859]

GOLD! man thank you! u just made my night.

[@MusicalWizardryMarcoIannello]

Trip down the memory lane, Alex, pure nostalgia, nearly shed a tear :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

I love these kind of chords too, dripping with nostalgia.

[@Qawsed951]

That synth patch is heavenly

[@elmaildecamiloruiz]

Somewhere in the cosmos Prince wrote music with this harmonies and ended things with a smashing guitar solo

[@cafzone]

Discovered you channel last week. I'm hypnotized since then. And I don't even do music. :D

[@j8577798yt]

Clear and to the point. Very good !

[@bobheatliesongs]

Nice little demo Alex. A few inversions there that I’d never used before, but I will now!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Surely you owned these chords back in the 80s but sold them?

[@bobheatliesongs]

Alex Ball I certainly did Alex. I had a F diminished that I wasn’t using that much, so I advertised it as a F Demolished, just to create interest, and got £850 from the Sex Pistols. Later they came back looking for more, so I sold them my old faithful, D Augmented fifth! Which of course I changed to D Demented 5th. And would you believe it, they fell for it again. The down side is that Sid Vicious couldn’t get his head around these chords, so much so that he did himself in, through sheer frustration! But that’s between you and I.....ok?

[@AlexBallMusic]

Haha! Superb.

[@Floydandsome]

It sounds beautiful