What are Slash Chords used for?

[@UkeofCarl]

Slash plays D, C then G. Sometimes he does an A and Em. That’s for Sweet Child of Mine, I don’t know any other songs by him.

[@sheaamalloy]

lol

[@JohnPaulBuce]

💀

[@pup64hcp]

🥁

[@illegal_space_alien]

TBH, this was my first thought when I saw the title as well. Hell yeah, Slash!

[@mikemorrisonmusic]

I came here to say this, but in my heart I knew it had already been said.

[@BenIsFiguringitOut]

As a gospel pianist/organist for about 20 years, slash chords have been common for my playing for years, but I just learned the terminology earlier this year. Thanks for this video!

[@willfeen]

me too !!

[@BenD_Bass]

So I've been studying music at the University of KZbin for about 3 years now. Professor David is my favorite teacher. Just the time signature and chord progression videos are gold. And the 2 gems I've watched like 1000 times are the music theory iceberg video and the 101 music theory terms 🔥

[@rucker293]

Polychords were used extensively by jazz great Bill Evans, who was very familiar with early twentieth century music and other genres. Many other players likewise use them.

[@blisterfree]

First chord of Feet First by Lyle Mays, one of Bill’s greatest admirers. This is David’s exact D-C polychord example illustrated.

[@dmgextra1576]

David Bennett is the 🐐 with these videos. Thank you sir

[@ric8248]

Once Upon A Long Ago by Paul McCartney starts with the chord progression F/Bb - C, and it sounds fantastic, one of my favourites.

[@Emmanuel_Franquemagne]

Thanks for this video. My favourite slash chord is definitely the "IV/V" chord, which intends to "delay" the Vth chord of a cadenza (in such case we have IV/V - V - I, e.g.), of give a tense or mysterious feeling on a Vth normal chord (an example is in the intro of "I'm not in love" (10cc), of in few French tunes).

[@sixmillionaccountssilenced6721]

You can use the same idea to delay I chord like for example V - I/V - I.

[@DonovanPresents]

I never knew what slash chords were called until now! I always struggled with those in high school jazz band because I didn't know what those were nor taught what those chords were 😢 Thank you for finally teaching them!

[@davidsolomon3859]

Jazzman Thelonious Monk was fond of the odd polychord,.For example,check out the first two chords in the opening of Thelonious Monk's "Ruby My Dear".Left Hand E flat triad Right Hand D triad (E flat major 7 sharp 11 sharp 9) then Left Hand E triad Right Hand stays on the D triad (E9 add 11).

[@fourtweven]

My church worship group recently started playing slash chords the way that we're supposed to be playing them. Long story short, we're all pretty much self-taught so we didn't know a lot of things lol. Recently, I've started studying our current songs to play them more similarly to the originals which is when I started learning how to play slash chords. I do have a question though. Sometimes, I play a slash chord but it sounds different when we all play. Currently, we have the following instruments: Piano Acoustic Guitar Electric Guitar Bass Drums I'm on piano and will play the slash chords but the guitarists and bassist play the notes normally. I asked our bassist to play the bottom note that I'm playing on the piano's lower notes and that sounds better. Although, I'm not sure as to what would sound best for the guitarists to play. For example, there's a song where we're playing: Am Am/F Am/C F G Am Would it be best for the guitarists to play the Am for those slash chords? I don't know that much about guitar so I'm not sure if there's an easy way for them to play the notes the way that I'm playing them. Any suggestions would be appreciated :)

[@MrZimpoppel]

Self-taught musician, I very often used "special" chords that I didn't have any clues what their name was. I really loved Steely Dan and Todd Rundgren, both of which would use these kind of chords. Now I've seen videos on KZbin where people call these chords "Rundgren Chords", or "Compound Chords". People explain these chords, but I must admit I have trouble to fully grasp what they mean. You are a very good explainer, when it comes to explaining theory. That would help me if you'd take a look at these chords, (and I guess that would help my band mates also, as I always struggle when it comes to explain them what that "thing" is that I am playing).

[@pAWNproductionsDE]

I'm a big fan of this series. I have a pretty strong knowledge of music theory, so it's rare for me to come across new info these days but I still often learn little nuggets of info, like the horizontal bar in poly chords (I thought they just wrote things like CM/DM ). I'd love to see more advanced topics from this channel

[@1macirone]

Same here, I'm haunted by that example from Rite of Spring...

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@1macirone So is John Williams / Tatooine …

[@5400bowen]

“Advanced topics” i.e.: made up BS that does nothing but confuse issues in music theory. Slash chords…just like “sus” chords.. These people don’t know there rump from a hole in the ground.

[@lucyj8204]

I'm currently learning Jim Croce Time in a Bottle and have had to transpose it for my voice - there are three main chord progressions and they're best understood as slash chords. But it sent me down a rabbithole to try to write out Chopin's Prelude in C Minor using chord notation, and slash chords are absolutely your friend here. Definitely easier to read than reading each individual note separately, too! Great video, thanks.

[@dyztopia7087]

The D/C Polychord at the end could also be labeled as a Cmaj13(#11) chord, but when played like 2 chords in different hands, a polychord label makes sense.

[@thedonbishop55]

I don’t know how I stumbled across your video but I’m glad I did. As a guitarist and occasional pianist, I love learning more about music theory. I knew about slash chords but not short hand ones. Thanks for sharing. You’ve earned a new sub. 😊

[@cvproject3684]

Nice explanation. One particularly example I found interesting is "Against The Odds" wrote by Phil Collins, particularly at the first line of chorus ("So take a look at me now..."), uses root chords over 5th note of root instead of root bass itself.

[@warrenburroughs3025]

I remember being introduced to polychordalism about 25 years ago as an easier way to understand complex chord construction. At that time it was referred to as chord superimposition as one chord is superimposed on the other. I never really explored it as a concept and preferred the traditional chord construction method. I must revisit.

[@wyla5896]

I personally would LOVE a video explaining the music theory behind All I Want for Christmas is You

[@pup64hcp]

Agreed!

[@illegal_space_alien]

Calm down, Satan.

[@omersetty5155]

Agreed

[@tevinhenderson2412]

That Luther was a price of heaven when u played it. Watching to pay attention I playback speed on first notch slower and man I had to keep rewind. Beautiful wats possible

[@ronami3176]

David you are my favourite KZbin Academy teacher! I love your series on progressions!! Have you ever thought about expanding the series in terms of where to go chord wise for a chorus, a B or C section? Or have you already done that and i was simoply too stupid to find it? Thank you for your constant effort to spoil us with such great content! Best wishes and greetings from Mallorca!

[@DreamsongsProductions]

Although I know many of the things you cover, I still always learn something new. I love your teaching style and presentation. Keep up the great work!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks!

[@pilcaroo]

As a composer and arranger for choir and for brass band I love using slash chords, especially in gospel influenced music, which uses a lot of moving triads over a single bass note. My favourite is the Stevie Wonder chord ii7/V, or Dm7/G, for example. I love its floating, emotional quality. But in the appropriate context so many slash chords can be beautiful. Soulful alternating C and Dmb5/C; a majestic F/Bb; or a bluesy Ebm over C polychord.

[@macklilley2242]

Great video! Just wanted to add that I don’t think it’s always accurate to to use slash chords with a triad built a whole step below the root as being shorthand for 11th chords (like what was demonstrated in the chart for “never too much”. For example, a C dominant 11th chord with no notes omitted would contain the root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, major ninth, perfect eleventh C E G Bb D F but a Bb/C chord contains the root, minor seventh, major ninth and the perfect eleventh. C Bb D F The omission of the fifth (G) doesn’t change the quality or function of the chord all that much but the absence of the major third (E) is incredibly noticeable! Try playing the intro to “never too much” with the third voiced in the chords! You’ll see what I mean haha. Aimee Nolte does a great video about this topic and I’d recommend to anyone interested.

[@konstantinosgeorgiouchannel]

Well Done to you David . Congratulations . You are an excellent and very talented Musician and we thank you so much (me as a Musician as well and the others) for these musical knowledge you share with us . Greetings and Respect to you from Corfu Island (Northwest Greece) .

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Many thanks!

[@GingerWaters]

I use, when writing slash chords, numbers for bass note. Example: C/G = C/5, and C/E = C/3. Line cliche in a-minor goes: am/8, am/7#, am/7, am/6 etc.

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

Thank you so much for this. I play slash chords without realising I’m doing it. Now I know what they are and how they work. Much appreciated.

[@omersetty5155]

Great videos David! Can you please make a video about songs that their melodies are in the form of arpeggios? I just started to notice arpeggios melodies lately, and it feels that identifying it can really benefit to figure out melodies by ear. It would be great to see you talk about this subject

[@5400bowen]

Oh boy..arpeggio melodys. Another made BS term to confuse beginners…KZbin is chock full of them.

[@Dogeatbicycle]

These lessons are super easy to digest. Very well put together

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you!!

[@d3w4yn3]

Now that you explain it (and probably because of how you explain it!) it seems so simple! This was always smoke and mirrors to me, thanks for helping me understand!!!

[@grahamashcroft5991]

Thankyou David Bennet, for the music education. It is enriching to know all aspects and given examples....❤

[@DavidBennettPiano]

thanks!!

[@seaoftranquility7228]

Never knew what to do when I encountered chords written that way. This is a bit of a game changer for me. Thank you.

[@dcstanda]

Interesting this video as someone who plays a piano but wants to really improve knowledge on playing properly and knowing what certain chords are and what they do. I do hope one day I can get back to practicing and playing better

[@ywenp]

11:00 If polychords were more common in classical music, isn't it because we "switched" to using extensions to denote the same? Here that Ebm over Dm could be described as Dm(add b9 b11 b13)

[@kiankapil]

There are some slash chords that feel like they can take down the walls. For example the second chord (C/E) on the chorus of Green Days 21 Guns. I love those kinda chords. I guess one can also interpret is as E Aug

[@bennywise410]

love that reverb tail at 6:17

[@matcoffidis1135]

I never realized that about a chord like Bm7/A that thats an extra inversion. Great video again. I really dug you creating I Am the Walrus from scratch.

[@Stephen_Lafferty]

A very well-presented synopsis of a useful topic for general music enthusiasts, as well as singer-songwriters and arrangers! You always provide excellent musical educational content, with great examples for each idea discussed. Thank you!

[@gavinrode9153]

well said!

[@zuperdee]

7:50 - I just realized a potentially REALLY interesting use of a line cliche with a full orchestra, in the theme from the TV show from the 1970’s, “The Streets of San Francisco.”

[@alexneill8338]

7:50 - that A minior line cliché sequence you played is the into to The Masterplan by Oasis, fantastic song!

[@joelcaron8291]

So happy you get to visit my country... Home you will get the chance to visit Quebec, wich is a nice place to hang out !! .. So many thanx for this theoric reminders. These videos are my best .. Welcome to Canada 🇨🇦

[@musicappreciate]

Layla’s outro also has a prominent C/E. And Boston in Foreplay, the opening organ follows a line cliché pattern reminiscent of yours.

[@tonycowin]

When he hit them I thought that's what he was going to play.

[@axlhyvonen461]

Once again a very intresting topic and the way You present that all is every time so great making it very easy to adopt that information😊

[@widely]

learned something i needed to know today. i knew what to play, but not the why / theory. bravo teacher.

[@MartinvonBargen]

How about the piano outro to Layla? As soon as David mentioned that Kings Of Leon track, my mind was transported back to that Pink Cadillac(?) scene in Goodfellas.

[@richardd9938]

I composed something just over a year ago, and have only just now thanks to your video realised I was using polychords :D :D and I use that method a lot for composing

[@timbo0151]

Great video, thank you. Always love coming across anything with slash chords. Long and Winding Road has to be one of my favourites - Eb/Bb. Beatles used them quite a lot, as does Elton John and Billy Joel. I play guitar, but mostly piano. I wonder when these chords are considered during the composition, whether they were written on piano?

[@idreamofgenie2599]

Wow! You taught me about a chord concept that I didn't understand before, and now I at least have a basic understanding of it. Not easy with my music-theory-challenged brain! Thanks!

[@mcwulf25]

Those slash chords with just the bass note changing really highlights a bass melody in the bass. Such as Merry Christmas by Slade and Funny Little Frog by Belle and Sebastian.

[@marvelboy74]

The Point of No Return from Phantom of the Opera uses polychords in the verses. Aimee Nolte's video on 11th chords was pretty interesting as she said that sometimes the 11th chord is written in sheet music transcriptions but it's incorrect if you break the song down.

[@guitarbrad]

Excellent video about slash chords!!! Well organized and presented, as always. Good examples too. Another might be A Whiter Shade Of Pale by Procol Harum. Bonus lesson about polychords! Good idea!

[@123jkjk123]

One of my favorites Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced has 1st inversion slash chords in A, A/C#. G/B progression (or in A-flat with guitar tuned down a half step).

[@mrcoatsworth429]

Highway to Hell from AC/DC has D/F# as the second chord. It was the first riff I ever learned on guitar. Absolutely loved the sound of it. (Although Angus only really plays the F with the second stroke of the chord, as a sort of transition the the G. A detail which escapes many people, but ads so much to the feel of the riff.)

[@Roberto-nn6kb]

Back in black have something simmilar i belive (but on bass i think)

[@pasteye1671]

As ever, a very erudite explanation of a non-simple concept in music theory. Thanks, David.

[@nugboy420]

You KNOW this guy has made it big when u get an ad of a project he is doing, watch like 3/4 of it thinking it’s an ad read but noticed you can skip to the video now.

[@quailstudios]

Good video David. Thanks!

[@StoneChords]

Halfway through Derek and the Dominos (Clapton's) Layla, in that famous piano section, you get such an incredible instance of chord followed by first inversion (C, then C/E) -- when you started your example, I was SURE you were heading there! That section is used brilliantly in Scorsese's "Goodfellas."

[@atrus3823]

Was gonna say this! Love that outro. Used to great effect in Goodfellas.

[@natasalways]

thanks as always! honestly, this is one of your best videos yet!!! keep it up

[@el0blaino]

Very useful to present all this at once with clear examples, thanks!

[@sirB0nes]

At 2:15, David plays what he calls "C 1st inversion." It's the triad C major (C E G) plus an E in the base. It has a total of _four_ notes. At 3:32, David plays a different chord that he also calls "C 1st inversion": the _triad_ E G C. This is what I don't understand about inversions: which one of these is the "real" inversion? Does this operation add a note or only cycle the existing notes? If I see the symbol C/E, which of these two different chords am I being told to play?

[@pdxfunkjunkie]

David you surprised me going to Bob Dylan as example after showing us the descending chromatic bass line (~7:59). I had "Michelle" firmly in mind and expected that! ("I will say the only words I know that you'll understand...")

[@luigiscazzari4724]

I recently started to learn music theory and this video finally explained what incersions are. Thank you 😊

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

I think the only use of polychords I've seen in rock is with the intro of Billy Joel's "Rosalinda's Eyes". Another good example of that descending line cliche illustrated by "Ballad of a Thin Man" is the Beatles' song "Michelle".

[@cocunut200]

A lot of EDM is also built around slash chords. Especially in house and techno, the bassline will repeat itself while the chords on top change, creating really interesting harmonies while still giving the groove of the song a sense of home.

[@djspinosaurus6703]

Hey David, thanks for all your great videos! I was wondering if you could do one on transitions between verse/chorus? Like do some songs change the verse progression to lead into the chorus? How fo they bring the energy up/down? Is the chorus in a different key, if so why? Thanks again, and keep up the great work!

[@lauskop5995]

Shorthand Slashchords. Great explanation. A simple but brilliant chord change including a slashchord would be 'Tomorrow Never Knows', where it's just C to Bb/C throughout the song.

[@ChrisOwenGuitar]

I love the sound of the G/A chord shape on guitar (Never too much etc). Once you play it and hear it, you seem to hear it everywhere. It’s a very subtle sound but makes a difference.

[@tonybates7870]

It's a kind of dense, misty sound, isn't it? It has also got an 'urban' quality to it but I may think that because it's been used over shots of cityscapes on TV a lot and my subconscious has latched onto that.

[@blisterfree]

Very clearly explained, David. Thank you! It’s like Rick Beato but with better props, planning, and attention span.

[@MomLAU]

I enjoy both of those guys!

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

I remember working with a bass player who said "this is wrong, it's like cheating" when I told him we were going to play a Bm7/A chord. I was to play the Bm7 and as bass, he was to go to A. "This is wrong, it's like, cheating ..."

[@guilhermetavares1975]

Great topic and video, although it lacks the most impressive Slash Chords, the ones in which the bass is half step below de fundamental of the triad and in which the bass is a tritone apart from the fundamental of the triad. Also there are some more rare possibilities utilizing the minor triad and other three-note formations as Xsus4, Xsus9, Xsus(b9), Xsus(#4), etc. Cheers!

[@marshwetland3808]

Loved the Stravinsky. Thanks, David.

[@claudiog7480]

Adeles "Easy on Me" and "When We Were Young": Her voice in combination with some slash chords creates such an intense emotion. Moves me every time I hear these songs.

[@ConorMity]

The video on relative pitch is unique and useful, more such videos, music is listened to differently thanks to you, thank you!

[@troliskimosko]

That first example, C to C/E to F is also the Layla piano coda!

[@jamespconnolly3890]

Hi David. I love your work and musical taste. Do you have a video that explains the Roman numeral system you use? I find this hard to understand for myself, but your explanations are always so illuminating. I couldn’t figure out the God Only Knows or A'int No Mountain High Enough ones.

[@michaelharris7030]

your videos are so good dude thank you

[@jeramym9506]

Your videos have taught me so much. Thank you.

[@windmilljohn]

Thank you, as a beginner for expanding my knowledge of slash chords.

[@blisterfree]

First chord of Feet First by Lyle Mays is David’s exact D-C polychord example illustrated in a jazzy context.

[@VideoGraham]

This is interesting. I googled the chords for U2's "Where The Streets Have No Name", and first I found some quite simple ones, but then I found a version with more complex chords (maybe more akin to what U2 actually play?), which includes D sus4/C, featuring both in the intro and the verse. I remember seeing this before, many years ago, and I was never quite sure what that meant. Your video has enlightened me.

[@Phobero]

Can't wait for the sequel - Axl Chords 😁

[@illegal_space_alien]

All chords in F!

[@JonnyProsser]

Excellent video! Clearly explained and to the point!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you 😊

[@liamannegarner8083]

"I.G.Y." by Donald Fagen! Most Steely Dan songs are hard to pick out, but the Abm7-Dbm7-B/E-E/F# under the chorus ("What a beautiful world this will be!") is clear as a bell.

[@josharothlisberger1081]

thanks as always for the video, first time i havent heard of the name/concept of a Music theory you explained!

[@lopezb]

GREAT explanation! Always had been a mystery to me.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😃

[@parallax_review]

Under Pressure (Queen/Bowie) is an example I like.

[@timtranslates]

A question not related to this video. In traditional hymns, the format AABA is very popular, i.e. the first, second and fourth lines of each verse are identical and the second line is different. I'd be interested to know your thoughts on why it works and why it doesn't sound boring. Some examples: Dutch national anthem First part of the Italian anthem (with a slight variation at the end) Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing In Christ Alone (a more modern hymn, but still follows the pattern) O Little Town of Bethlehem In the Bleak Midwinter (albeit with a slight variation on the final line) Can you think of any pop songs that use the same pattern? Is it common in any classical genres?

[@Guitar_Covers]

Another Song Example would be "Thinking Out Loud " By Ed Sheeran as it has Dchord followed by the slash Chord D/F#

[@hajoreuter6759]

I love the progression of slash chords in Sorry seems to be the hardest word

[@jimmrvos2930]

As always, you’ve created a terrific video David. Your discussion of inversions raised a question in my mind. I had learned a little different definition of inversions. The rule was that in the first inversion, the third would be placed in the bass, just like you described. But the fifth would be the next tone (placed an octave higher) and then the root would be placed above the fifth. So the first inversion of C would be spelled E G C. From what you said in the video, I think the first inversion would be spelled E C E G Did I have this wrong?

[@davekenworthy630]

A slash chord that so many cover bands miss is the first chord of Cheap Trick's "Surrender", which is Ab/Bb. More often than not it gets played as a straight Ab. It makes all the difference in the world when it's done right.

[@XT-N]

great video as always

[@citrustaco]

Question about polychords. I think they could be useful when notating 11th and 13th chords. Instead of D over C in the example, what if it were C over D (C in the right hand and D in the left hand)? Wouldn't that be a more intuitive notation than D11? Or Cm over D instead of D11b9?

[@DonP-l3o]

This is a comment about a past video. I am not a musician and I do not play an instrument. I absolutely love your videos and I watch them over and over again. It has opened up a whole new world for me. On the video about songs that use a descending chord progression, The song "Yellow Brick Road," by Elton John sure sounds like it used this. Can you confirm this?

[@peterbaker7963]

I came across a great use of slash cords on a version of My guitar gently weeps Am, Am/G. Am/F#. Am/F, Am, G really nice

[@jedgould5531]

1:23 Doesn’t Nirvana’s music use root notes on another instrument - like Kurt’s Voice - to form these slash chords?

[@urbangorilla33]

A 9th chord is kind of a polychord. If you play C in the left hand and G in the right hand, the third and fifth of the C chord, making a Cmaj7add9. Of course there is a superfluous doubling of the G note, which is the fifth of the C and root of the G.

[@zaullizalde365]

The Beach Boys music has the most interesting use of slash chords I’ve personally come across. Genius compositions

[@waluigi_enjoyer101]

I found one more example of the C to C/E that is in the piano outro of Layla by Derek and the Dominoes

[@Faguoyo]

You solved what was a mystery for me, thanks !

[@saphirexion]

Omg 5:46 sounds like the intro Rolling Girl by Hatsune Miku! (At least I think I’m correct) Great video as always!