Chord Substitution: 5 Levels from Beginner to Pro 🎹

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LESSON SUMMARY
Inside this guide, you'll discover 5 levels of piano chord substitution techniques for beginner through advanced levels. With in each level, we'll first introduce a harmonic concept. Then, you'll apply each concept to a familiar tune. In addition, each section contains recommendations for further study.
► Passing Chords & Reharmonization
Beginner/Intermediate: pianowithjonny.com/courses/pa...
Intermediate/Advanced: pianowithjonny.com/courses/pa...
► Play Lead Sheets with 7th Chords:
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► Piano Chord Extensions:
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► Piano Chord Alterations:
pianowithjonny.com/courses/pi...
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:20 - Twinkle Twinkle
01:08 - 1. Chord Family
01:25 - Diatonic Chords
02:50 - Chord Family Application
03:41 - 2. Secondary Dominant
05:03 - Chord Targets
05:29 - Secondary Dominant Application
06:55 - 3. 2-5-1
10:15 - 4. Extensions & Alterations
14:28 - 5. 2-5-1 Series
15:05 - Start with the Last Chord
17:08 - Conclusion
===
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Happy practicing!
Jonny May

[@PianoWithJonny]

00:00 - Intro 00:20 - Twinkle Twinkle 01:08 - 1. Chord Family 01:25 - Diatonic Chords 02:50 - Chord Family Application 03:41 - 2. Secondary Dominant 05:03 - Chord Targets 05:29 - Secondary Dominant Application 06:55 - 3. 2-5-1 10:15 - 4. Extensions & Alterations 14:28 - 5. 2-5-1 Series 15:05 - Start with the Last Chord 17:08 - Conclusion

[@danielrugg2933]

.hikki.6 ok 8.i6i869k6oil 9

[@brianshambleau3913]

Thank you Jonny. These multi level lessons help me to figure out what level I'm at and what I need for the next level.

[@keithsaundra]

Awesome thank you for making it easy to understand!!!

[@marcfbartolabac]

i love you Jonny!!!

[@dongskieneri2162]

thank you Mr.Jonny youre a great music teacher, your fan from Philippines💟👍

[@raslolayton2152]

I have to laugh. For - literally - years I have been trying to figure out the 'rules' of chord substitution. This vid HAS to be the simplest, the clearest, the absolutely most useful explanation. Too many lessons tell you which chords you can use but never clearly explain why, or how to work it out for yourself. Jonny, my man, this is absolute gold. Thank you so much.

[@m.alcholish9401]

Totally agree. Thank you for saying these, which represents what in my mind. Sory, my english very2 poor 🙏🙏🙏

[@gregoryhaddock5395]

YEAH. I'm kinda blown away. This lesson is pretty AMAZING 🤯

[@pgtips4240]

This is really good, I agree, but having analysed this kind of teaching for years, this is still not sufficient knowledge to go and start reharmonising any and every song. It's even trickier again. You MUST voice your chords correctly and the chords MUST play happy with your melody note, but even with all this, there is no guarantee that the song is going to sound correct because the song flavour itself has to relate well with the chords, ie it shouldn't sound forced the chords should flow together naturally and complement the actual overall song. There is much more to this subject believe me, I have been scratching my head with this for years and watched many many teachers on the subject. Remember Johnny has used twinkle little star for a reason! He didn't just pick any random song to demo this because it wouldn't work with any song, the principles would guide you certainly but this tutorial itself is unfortunately not enough. You need to listen to other pro players and transcribe their work and then analyse why their chords work.

[@enockseventh5682]

100% agree with you 💯

[@m.alcholish9401]

@@pgtips4240 Absolutely correct. But your words are for musician/expert at another level. For beginner like us and others, i think this lesson is more than just enough. Sorry, and thank you 💜💜💜

[@anthonyrhoden6832]

This is literally my first time writing a comment for a keyboard tutorial. This was so EASYYYYY to grasp

[@alexeilazarev9576]

You must be in Gold Pantheon of humanity teachers. Your lessons are priceless. To say thank you means to say nothing.

[@nirajtanti8618]

By far the best Music tutor in KZbin and this comes from a musician who played guitar for atleast 13 years and playing piano for last 4 years and I have been watching videos of Rick Beato and what not and yet none were gracious to let the knowledge out so easily and in such simplified manner. I dont say that all other tutors in youtube do not know the concept but they are not willing to teach these basic rules without charging you money.

[@stea27]

I never thought these complex chords and progressions can be specified so simply. You're a really good teacher.

[@daveguettler4509]

My dad was a music teacher, choir director, and church organist. I've been a musician for over 40 years. This is the clearest music lesson I have ever had. So great!

[@samharoutunian6058]

literally haha

[@joshuamarquez7095]

Jesus you’re a good teacher…the world needs more like you!

[@louisf4073]

There is simply no better teacher than you Jonny. Greetings from Belgium

[@ryan_raus]

That 2-5-1 with the b9 in the dominant chord is so satisfying, I never realized. It gives it like a chromatic walk-down feel, making you want it to resolve even more

[@hsiehkanusea]

Amazingly clear reduction of what's typically inscrutable. Thank you, ty, ty.

[@PianoWithJonny]

Thank you!

[@sigma_z]

Dayum, years of music school boiled down to a 17 minute video. 😅 Thanks Jonny, you rock 😊😊😊

[@truewordz777]

What a teacher! Why hasn't anyone else been able to teach chord substitution with the clarity Jonny has done. This is an absolute gem of a lesson. Awesome. Thank you

[@cicik57]

just know there are 42 levels of chord substitution above that

[@BJ-fj6jw]

Pip Morgan Yes, I totally agree. And teaches so gently to a pace I can understand....

[@XenoghostTV]

​@@cicik57One chord substitution method he didn't mention is borrowed notes. In C major for instance, G# may be "borrowed" from C minor to turn Em7 into E7, which sounds gorgeous.

[@carlbaumeister3439]

Been playing for years (self taught, play by ear), and this is prolly the most valuable lesson I’ve ever seen. Seriously.

[@ugochianochiam5675]

Please sir can u coach someone from beginner.......its a request

[@carlbaumeister3439]

@@ugochianochiam5675 I don’t teach - maybe you should sign up for one of Jonny’s classes?

[@ugochianochiam5675]

@@carlbaumeister3439 k but how can i sign up cos it seems there's no link here

[@carlbaumeister3439]

@@ugochianochiam5675 I think there’s one in the information section of the video.

[@TheMotoFamily3497]

I TOO AM 15 YEARS OLD SELF TAUGHT, PLAY BY EAR, AND I'VE BEEN PLAYING THE PIANO FOR YEARS, AND FOR YEARS I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR A VIDEO SUCH AS THIS ONE. LOL😤😤🤦‍♀🤦‍♀🤣🤣

[@marianlevy9232]

Omg! Sixty years and no one ever explained these reharm possibilities to me!! Thank you so much - great tip on level five- working backwards from destination chord - you’re a great teacher, Johnny

[@onesimus9771]

Oh my God, I can cry right now. You have to be the best teacher on the piano right now. Do you know since when I’ve been trying to understand this?

[@luke_Citino]

It's so much easier to see this on a piano than a guitar, as a guitarist I find these videos helpful to absorb these concepts on apply them to my instrument, so thanks Johnny 👍

[@TheShrubbist]

same

[@amoschanzasikazwe]

I would love to. I really want to learn the guitar to that professional level. Especially going through the same process listed. I need help!🤦🏿‍♂️

[@trevorconfer7135]

Same here man!! Took the words right out of my mouth! KZbin is such a powerful tool once we weed out the nonsense lol

[@eliaschavez6407]

AGREED! Guitar player here as well, SOO much easier to see on piano!

[@xbabygirltx]

I was thinking the exact same thing. I’ll definitely be applying this to my guitar playing!

[@BsktImp]

One of the best introductions to reharmonisation I've come across.

[@s90es]

Jonny is beyond amazing. His demeanor has always made me feel that he's talking directly to me. This video is just an example of how he so clearly communicates his lessons. If you haven't already, subscribe! Not a better online teacher anywhere!

[@mystore3302]

U gave everything in one sitting.. U reveled the secrets🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@victoryfire4750]

Beautifully taught. Easy to understand. THANK YOU 😇

[@akintomi988]

Jesus, Jonny! Where have you been all my life?! You are the bestest of the best piano tutor I have ever seen. You make everything seem so effortless and interesting. And your communication skill is top-notch.....felt like you were talking directly to me. God bless you man.

[@musicalsimon7238]

You have displayed the most complex chords I've been trying to understand for years in the most easiest way I could ever imagine... You are an extraordinary teacher!!!

[@BJ-fj6jw]

Bless this dear man for shedding light on us. A parade of light bulbs just lit up for me! Thank you!!

[@ernstbill2079]

This is a super bonus. And this video is truly meant to help. Whenever you upload such videos to help others, being selfless, God will multiply your blessings. You know how to do it to just get te views or how to fake it. But You intentionally uploaded this way to bless others. I pray that God multiply your blessings whenever these type of videos are uploaded. Trust me God will reward you more than you expected. God bless you teacher.

[@itswinterandrews]

I have spent so damn long being mystified, confused, and inspired by people using chord substitutions like this… and you’ve finally made it so simple. Chord families. Had no idea. Thank you for the perfect video and breakdown I didn’t even realize I needed!

[@agerray]

One of the best tutorials on the internet! Thank you.

[@dpiccoli]

Oh man!! That last reharmonization was great!!!

[@maitrebebe]

I agree. Jonny is doing a great job simplifying things.

[@Kiwi403]

I have always been a guitarist and recently began trying to transfer what I knew on guitar, to piano. So hard! You pianists are brilliant! Thankyou so much for speaking in chords, it helps. You speaka my language

[@ulrikemonfortc.9466]

Thanks a lot Jhonny!

[@nathanielcisco1245]

This is one of the simplest piano lesson I have ever seen....God Job Chief.

[@charlieruisseau2476]

You're the greatest teacher I've ever seen!

[@wojciechborkowski7689]

Always wondered how to transform easy chords into something that sounds better, well explained great tutorial!

[@gam1471]

Brilliant - clearly explained by gradually building up the concepts; thank you for clearing the fog for this guitarist trying to learn more about harmony!

[@PINKALIMBA]

OMG this is exactly what I am searching for all these years. So much information packed into this video!!!

[@DanoMakesMusic]

Piano with Jonny you're changing my life over here. Thanks so much for these great tips!!

[@comedyriff5231]

Wow, this is helpful.

[@ArtistDavidU7ub3]

Wonderful Stuff Jonny!!!!

[@DithanBeatz]

I'm just impressed by your teaching skills at this point.

[@christianboucher1811]

What a fantastic teacher you are! Thanks you so much !

[@davidmesmacque8759]

Incredibly easy to understand and to apply. Thank you Jonny for all you share with us 👍🎹

[@ExSkyCyclePilot]

I've been playing for decades, but have never seen this explained, although I have unknowingly used some of these ideas. I've always found Manilow interesting because of the crazy and difficult chord progressions he uses, and I think some of this might be at work in his songs.

[@donghyunpark2564]

Your teaching is precious.

[@Gflashmedia]

God bless our brother, you are a good teacher, I've already learnt a lot

[@joseph-ow1hf]

Mind officially blown. Wow. Getting back to piano after 50 years and this is way better than just playing sheet music like I did as a kid. Thank you. You bet I subscribed!

[@avaaneesyangtan234]

Thank you so much. Very helpful indeed.

[@iulianontica]

A man, a teacher, to whom I can give a grade of ten with all my heart and with the greatest congratulations. That's how there should be teachers in the music faculty. Honesty and honor. Hats off. Bravo. Un om, un profesor, caruia pot sa îi ofer nota zece din toată inima și cu cele mai mari felicitări. Așa ar trebui să existe profesori în facultatea de muzica. Cinste și onoare. Jos pălăria. Bravo.

[@benzo4029]

This is amazing! I'd call it an arrangement class where substitute chords are worked into the songs construction for a professional sounding play. So well presented in phases Johnny! All those years of piano lessons reading sheet music note for note and that was the end of it. This really takes song play to a new personal expression level. In no time! Thank you so much!

[@susanfitzpatrick7457]

Excellent Jonny! One of the very few piano tutorials where I have learned something, thanks to your brilliant, well prepared delivery.

[@rcdoubleu8696]

This lesson was really cool. I've understood concepts like Secondary Dominants, Triad Extensions, and the 2-5-1 Sequence for a while now, but the way you explained everything makes it seem so simple and straightforward. Great video!

[@Ishy33]

Best explanation I’ve ever seen to fattening up a sound using substitution in the progression. Wow. I love how slowly and logically you explained this. I’m an intermediate player but with study and practice could definitely see myself using up to that level 5. So glad KZbin recommended me this video, definitely subscribed now.

[@katlehosenkhe8887]

You explained it better than any other piano teacher on KZbin. Some just assume we know everything and don't break up everything accordingly

[@madiahmadi7710]

Absolutely amazing! I'm happy to see this video!🙏 Thank you so much for sharing this amazing piano playing! Wish you success always ❤️🎹

[@Nemanjap995]

I've always wandered how and when to apply chord extentions. Never had it explained so clearly. Also love the way you explained dominant 7 chords. I aways tied it to circle of fifths, but it seems there's a simpler way to explain them to someone as well!

[@25756881]

Sorry but where does he explain that? I seemed to have missed but I'm eager to learn more about it.

[@maddiefox1748]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I play piano, guitar, and bass guitar alternating for my high school’s chapel a few times every week, and I always wondered how my teacher made his chords sound so crunchy. Thank you for this! I’m feeling more prepared than ever to tackle the music next year! :) This is my first video I’ve seen of yours, and it was explained so concisely and neatly I’ve been practicing for a couple days and my parents say they can see an improvement in me! You’ve earned yourself a new subscriber! :D

[@MartinBergnerGuitar]

This lesson is INSANELY good! It's simply one of the most condensed lessons I've ever seen regarding substitution and reharmonization. Thx a lot!

[@suga4all]

Great lesson! Easy to comprehend, yet very effective. Thanks for sharing!

[@switch1e]

Thank you so much for making this video. You’ve really done a stellar job at making this easier to understand

[@WayofTheLogan]

I really enjoyed this. It opens up all the things that could be done on songs, especially with counter melodies within the chords. Thank you for sharing!

[@hansmachado9163]

What a beautiful and clear way to teach! Everything stands out so simply! THANK YOU, JONNY!

[@sharonj731]

You are now teaching true substance! This is a real contribution to people who truly want to learn. An absolute gift!

[@cripsicus2426]

F****ing nuts how i spendt so many years studying music and never beeing able to understand this, and now after a single video i get it....just unbelivable... Most valuable video i've seen in years! Well done!

[@EnochArthur-kt3rq]

You have open my eyes to this great technic

[@EmonEconomist]

I was wondering why everything from Level 2 upward sounded like Christmas... And then I realised why, and tried making my own (Level 1) version of Jingle Bells. I'd consider myself a piano beginner but with this explanation it was so easy to make something that sounds beautiful and complex and just a little bit jazzy!

[@orionfoote2890]

Very good video - I’m a guitar player but have always loved listening to keyboard/piano players for ideas and inspiration. I was listening to a George Shearing CD the other day and he plays some really cool subs and modulations. You don’t often hear his name mentioned re jazz piano but he’s a great musician. Nice work 👍🏻

[@danielvega71]

George Shearing is better known (by pianists and keyboard players) for the "block chords" technique than for his actual playing, unfortunately...

[@llwhite9103]

Thank you for the lessons you offer. You are a great teacher with clear method of explicating. I have one massive pet peeve: people who hold up their hands/fingers to indicate the number they are saying. Please give your viewers SOME credit. We want to learn, but we're not intellectual pumpkins or first graders. I hate when people do that. Speak only and assume we know what a 5 and a 2 looks like.

[@liling7]

Such clear teaching. Well structured and transparent. I love that absolutely everything he is doing he is explaining.

[@AstorSkywalker]

Thank you Jonny, this is amazing, you just opened my mind to the possibilities of music,.... I thought you might enjoy this quote... "When you begin to see the possibilities of music, you desire to do something good for people, to help humanity free itself from its hang-ups". John Coltrane

[@donydarmawan5670]

Wonderful

[@francisrichards979]

Thanks Johnny you are gifted God bless you always:::give us some bosanova and a calypso music ( pan in A minor)

[@galupa518]

I have a music degree and this has made playing keys (not my main instrument) so much easier. Thank you for using the technical terminology. Best video I’ve watched on this. I will definitely look into your courses.

[@rickcazier3056]

These are probably the simplest, clearest, best explanations for piano chords I've come across on the internet. Great job!

[@alinday]

i hate to be redundant ova hea but great lesson ! You trimmed all the fat off them 5 levels and demystified them concisely!

[@monicaconsigliereLavieenfleur]

If I had you as a teacher when I was a lttle girl I would have never given up piano❤️

[@remoteworkinternational]

Same here

[@joydeepmondal3491]

Can you start again by any chance?

[@fryderyckchopin484]

You can start to play again, you'll already know mamy things from the beggining

[@user-vc8tl9hu8x]

You know what? I gave up music when I was a child, but I honestly accept that most of the children want to run outside and play with friends rather than learn boring stuff like solfege 😜 Now in my late 40s I've chosen an instrument and started doing things I thought I'd never do in my life (like watching a video about chords)😂

[@katkong281]

Simply explaining the rules of chord extensions at level 4 is so unbelievably helpful. Thank you

[@alexandrevalente9994]

Beautiful! Now I have a lot to learn from here!

[@mountfoolish]

This is an incredible video! So many useful concepts packed inside here. And it was really neat to hear the differences between the various ideas.

[@hansschroeder7198]

This was such an incredible glimpse of what's harmonicly possible ❤️. I will definitely check out what you have to offer. Thank you!!

[@knudsandbknielsen1612]

Excellent! Clear, direct, foreward!

[@minimalizman]

Dude... You just taught me in 3 minutes more about chord substitution and improvising on structure than I learned over 4 years getting a bachelor's degree in music from a college...

[@wladnav]

Wow! Jonny, after many years of watching and hearing piano players, finally somebody has unveiled the mystery of chords substitutions for me. I cannot wait to buy my membership to access your classes. Well done!

[@lorenvguitar614]

An absolutely excellent lesson on chord substitutions. Even though I am a guitarist, this was fantastic. Thank you

[@GladyMeCreativity]

Loved it! I’m a guitarist that has used substitutions for years, but was unaware of these five distinctly named categories of specifics to change. I have a great love of chords. This new perspective will give me a lot of new tools for my song writing and arranging. Thanks!

[@Stephanie9959]

You are such a great teacher. Seriously, these technique names are you making these up or are they listed somewhere?

[@emeraldkabalala9842]

I subscribed to this chanel because of this lesson..so informative thank you

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

it is a general concept of music theory. Actually it comes from the function theory, it is the popular version of substitution of functions. But focus on reharmomizing, not substituting. Beware of catchy complicated names. But D7 is. not sec. dominant of G, but just the dominant . It is the secondary dom. IN c major

[@richardramey5943]

That's beginner ? I need the one or two before beginner.

[@princechimucheka341]

You a real teacher Johnyyyy ......Bravo it is making real sence

[@HRLDIVN]

Love u Jonny! Been a life searching for this kind of approach of teaching! More power to you! 🙏

[@moseskamchedzera4248]

Am out of words sir. This will really help me

[@kennethanku8743]

Wow, this is one of the best videos. Simple and straightforward with clear explanations. Thanks Jonny.

[@HETRM]

It's been ages ....ive been looking for this... Finally I got this channel... Thanks .. Thanks youtube algorithm for recommending this video!!

[@georgereasonproductions]

Love the work you do aim to head. Great music and ever grateful I found this genre.🙂

[@salromerosiii2583]

Thank you for this video Mr. Jonny! As a guitarist this helped me understand a lot more into the nature of chords and how they and the family of chords can be used as you taught in this video! Thank you and God bless you!

[@ANICETONANOS]

Hypnotically amazing❤️🎶 I am applying this concept for a school hymn to give it a new life and taste, and I think it works! Kudos to you, and thank yoh for sharing!

[@jediofjavascript6589]

My mind is Blown ... i never thought complex chords/topics could be as simple as these 😲😲 ... this is pure gold. Thank you Jonny

[@ChampionJackson784]

Man you're such a great teacher . I suddenly don't feel so overwhelmed. Can't wait to join your course .Bless

[@robertkadar6856]

Really like the way you went from the simplest to most complex substitutions. Really helpful thanks!

[@jamesjanney1102]

Finally!! I've been looking for a clear video on this for years. Thank you! Will likely buy your courses now.

[@Ibrahim_Abouzied]

SO much value packed into a single lesson. Fantastic!

[@ukefan2013]

This man created the most useful video of 2022. I've needed this for years and I finally have it! Thank you Jonny!

[@ofirnadel]

Amazing! Thank you so much! I've been playing jazz piano for almost a year now, and I always wondered how these amazing pianists come up with these beautiful chords, now i just need a bit of practicing😂