4 Useful Chord Progressions You Should Know

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Get 20% off Hook Theory products when you use this link: www.hooktheory.com/davidbennett 🎹

[@klaxoncow]

You do know that the Marvin Gaye family is totally taking notes furiously, while you were showing other examples of that chord progression, right? I reckon Pythagoras should just sue absolutely everyone simultaneously, for using "his" mathematics in their choice of musical scale, and be done with it.

[@1218Draco]

6:56 Adam, Prince of Eternia, approves

[@wyattstevens8574]

I think I have an idea of *why* the "What's Up" progression has a "closed loop" sound: the voice-leading! I-ii has the whole chord rise, ii-IV moves the bass back down to the root of the scale, and IV-I has the rest of the chord follow suit. Besides, there's 2 bars of the I chord when you get there.

[@origineo]

"Isn't she lovely?" chord progression always makes me CRAVE to listen to the chromatic descending melody, well accentuated, throughout the harmony. I actually really love these 'semitone effects' in every chord progression.

[@origineo]

BTW, "Isn't she lovely" chord progression is also applied in most of the Final Fantasy victory fanfare themes, but I - bVI - bVII - I.

[@lynnturman8157]

yeah, that's really what our ear is drawn to. The descending chromatic melody that this progression creates. Starting with the 7th of the the vi chord & finally resolving on the Maj. 3rd of the I chord.

[@isaacmalik3714]

2 5 1 is the most common chord progression in jazz

[@fleurpayne3620]

i love how he makes it almost a plagal cadence, which has a soulful, gospel sound

[@testowykana1763]

I also love such chord progressions!

[@blandoon]

One major error: "Isn't She Lovely" is not in the key of E major... it is in the key of LIFE

[@aisforapple2494]

🤣🤣🤣

[@kakahtukat]

it is in the key of *harmonica solo*

[@FrankPisaniMusic]

I was actually just wondering how you find so many examples of these chord progressions! Seems like a useful tool! I especially like the Super Mario cadence. Very triumphant and uplifting 👍

[@rome8180]

Reddit is a great source too.

[@toddhouchin3252]

Ride the flagpole! I always figured you just had an awesome set of fake books.

[@kane6529]

Hook theory is the Shit 🤘

[@jopvos9242]

The Stevie Wonder progression in also used in Bach’s Prelude in C

[@pulykamell]

If you just google the chord progression in question, you'll come up with a slew of examples.

[@AlystrZelland]

You do such a good job of speaking in detail without being either condescending or presumptuous in your explanations. It does wonders in including every level of audience member and learner

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you 😊

[@vib80]

The last few years has seen a rise in the use of the "Just the Two of Us" chord progression in jpop. Sometimes called the Shiina Ringo progression there because she was using it over 20 years ago, and it's likely that's where many current artists picked it up. I see Hook Theory labels the chords for it based on it being in Fminor, but the Japanese music theory channel I follow typically does it in the relative major (IVΔ7-III7-vi7-v7-I7). As expected, Hook Theory is talking about one song with a fixed mode, but when talking about many, they could be in any mode.

[@everickrincones9175]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/el68dXivqqmrjbc Ckay Love Nwantiti uses the same progression.

[@WiseLittleOwl]

What’s the name of the Japanese Music Theory channel?

[@vib80]

@@WiseLittleOwl だっとさん音楽理論チャンネル

[@TyboAudio]

that chord progession is popular in gospel music as well. its a great example of using the circle of fifths to get to certain chords

[@seejoshrun1761]

The "Kiss from a Rose" cadence has a much different association for me. I associate with a dramatic build to the end of a song. Specifically, I've heard it from the end of various Disney movies and marching band shows. Very triumphant. Crazy how different it can sound depending on the context. Edit: I didn't watch long enough before I made this comment - the connection to mario is exactly the same idea.

[@smoorej]

Absolutely brilliant. The clarity of your explanations still amazes me. The way you organize the topics, your examples, the time spent on each subtopic, totally spot on. You are a natural teacher.

[@andrepessoa608]

I'm from Brazil, David! I love your explanations and dedication to talk about music theory in different levels of understanding.

[@bimbettocavallo]

The bVI-bVII-I progression is often used by Elton John when he comes out of a chorus. Check Burn Down The Mission and Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me as a couple of examples

[@lynnturman8157]

The Beatles used it a lot too. I was surprised David didn't mention it. You can hear it at the end of With a Little Help from my Friends, Hello Goodbye, P.S. I Love You & I'm sure others. Billy Joel also used it a lot also.

[@bimbettocavallo]

@@lynnturman8157 good point. To me this chord progression sounds triumphant and "conclusive", not sure David said it. Therefore it lends itself to situations like these.

[@zacksguitarhacks6390]

Got me wrong - alice in chains

[@pulykamell]

@@lynnturman8157 Shoot--you beat me to the PS I Love You I mentioned on another comment here. An even earlier one not by the Beatles is the very end of Paul Anka's "Summer's Gone." (1960)

[@luffye1]

what's the difference between bVI and VI?

[@sethd.8381]

the first chord progression is also used a lot in the soundtrack for the video game series Touhou. it's one of the creator's favorite chord progressions.

[@thecopster100]

The bvi, bvii I chord sequence is amazing. Some other cool examples are Dire Dire Docks from Super Mario 64, and part of Z's theme from Antz.

[@peik5569]

It being used in the Mario soundtrack has even given it the nickname ”the Mario Cadence”!

[@DrSpaceman69]

Antz' score is crazy good

[@ILoveMagic15]

Not to be pedantic, but it's actually bVI bVII and I. Written in lowercase letters would mean the chords are minor.

[@thecopster100]

@@ILoveMagic15 Good point!

[@guidop.4919]

Also Dragon Ball GT opening, that's what comes first to mmy mind.

[@bleistift2775]

Thank you for including the live piano preview. As as amateur I always found it hard to visualize which notes are actually getting played when you only showed the chords themselves on screen in previous videos. This makes it much easier for me to follow you, as well as the emergent line cliches that happen during the chord progressions. On the same note, transposing everything into C helps a great deal, too. It relieves me of the burden of guessing if a black key is just a ‘regular’ one in the current key, or added flavor.

[@acialist]

from someone who just took a music copyright class last semester, let me just say here for everybody, you can't copyright a chord progression. The two things musically you can copyright are lyrics and melody. The third is the sound recording itself. outside of that, anything concerning vibe, taste, feel, mood, are all things that are non copyrightable.

[@althealligator1467]

As much as I'd agree, this is still an arbitrary choice. You theoretically _can_ copyright a chord progression because plenty of lawsuits like this one have been won. It just shouldn't be that way.

[@salty_3k506]

@@althealligator1467 "every time i touch the piano, i'm afraid i'm touching someone's note"

[@althealligator1467]

@@salty_3k506 Exactly

[@Reaper20000000]

Thank you for that information!

[@Reaper20000000]

@@althealligator1467 I wish our society wasn’t like that. It’s my opinion-we have become too law-suit happy - music should be more free

[@thunderhand_music]

Very, very well done 👍 Please continue to show the keyboard graphic at the bottom of the screen. So useful to see the voicings, etc.

[@Winner1270]

Some friends and I Did a barbershop arrangement of Isn't She Lovely this year. The harmonies were just so fun!

[@tommyfeinstoff]

More videos on chord progressions for certain moods please. All of them. Also dark etc would be nice.

[@maps2605]

The iii chord is soooo underused, it’s one of my favorite chords to use because it sounds amazing using both major and minor versions of it while in a major key.

[@btkenobi2]

Shhhhhh!!! 😂 Stop giving away the gems 💎

[@maps2605]

@@btkenobi2 ITS TOOO GOOODDD

[@numsig]

Alex Turner knows...😅

[@waugsqueke]

The first progression is used in I Am The Walrus as well, both forwards and backwards.

[@Bebe-rn2fh]

I’ve always noticed that isnt she lovely progression and thought it always sounds wonderful. But I wasn’t musically knowledgeable enough to figure out what the chord progression was and what was so incredible about it. Thank you!

[@GizzyDillespee]

Brian Wilson sound like Mama Cass, when he's pitch shifted! Thanks for the vid, these ones are always fun

[@presentmike777]

It needs to be said that in the vi - II - V - I progression the major 2 is also a "secondary dominant" because D dominant is the V chord of G major. Also happens to be doing a circle of 5ths movement, that chord progression is just nasty. 🔥

[@glazdarklee1683]

It all just shows that making great music isn't always about doing something unique; it can also be about doing something familiar in a unique way.

[@only.built4cubanlinx]

preach 🤝

[@ploosmaD]

I actually have used this chord prog before but had no idea about it until now. This is why i like these videos, they help explain what im doing and make me a better musician. Great video, keep it up!

[@yepaxle1111]

Another day, another great David Bennett Piano video to watch and learn something new!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😄😄😄😄

[@mauromichiels3034]

For the Kiss From A Rose chord progression; can we think of this progression as a progression in 6b mixolydian, instead of referring to it as a Picardy third? That it is an intermodal key that kind of mixes the minor and major scale into one beautiful chord progression. Anyway, thanks for the lovely video, David!!

[@kylemacdougall8355]

The bVI chord has a flattened third scale degree in it, so unfortunately it wouldn't count. (If you're in C, the bVI chord would be Ab, and the fifth of the Ab chord is Eb, which doesn't belong in Mixolydian b6.) Mixolydian b6 is great, though.

[@leolightfellow]

Thank you for covering the Thinking Out Loud lawsuit again, and for covering it well/right again. Here's to hoping the ruling in that lawsuit causes everything to revert back to how it was before the awful ruling of the Blurred Lines lawsuit.

[@andyp257]

I absolutely adore the irony that Make Your Own Kind Of Music contains the chord progression that contributed to an artist being sued for using that progression to make their own music. And the fact that it came out BEFORE Let's Get It On as well is just *chefs kiss* beautiful.

[@alistairallan1178]

As a guitar player I am learning so much off you! You keep it simple. Love it. Keep it up!

[@ADCmusicProducing]

You explain progression and theory in simple language ,you taught me so much, Thank You Man .

[@Rusli1659LPSoldier]

the first chord progression (bVI, bVII and I/i) often used in other songs like Astronomia and Linkin Park's unreleased song "Healing Foot". including their intro song "Wake" on their album Minutes to Midnight.

[@Thisismyletter]

I love your channel and the videos you make so much! Thank you for the hard work and all of the great content 😀

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks Anna!

[@rome8180]

I like the variation of the "What's Up?" chord progression that uses the major II. So it goes I-II-IV. The Beatles used it a lot. I'm not sure if you've talked about it on this channel before, but knowing your Beatles love you might have. One reason it sounds great is because it has a descending line cliche inside the chords. Let's say you're in C. You'd have a G-F#-F-E movement hidden inside the chords.

[@TheWeightedKey]

He made a video about that chord progression but I don’t think he used what’s up as an example lol, I believe it was called the, “Eight Days a Week,” chord progression because it was originally used in that song by the Beatles.

[@rome8180]

@@TheWeightedKey well, that's because like I said "What's Up" isn't the same progression. It has the minor ii chord, so it's more diatonic.

[@solomonmillermusic]

@@rome8180 I kind of forgot that they used the minor ii lol. It just sounds so much more satisfying and joyful to me when I envision it jumping to the Lydian mode with that major II chord.

[@agnosticmuslim6341]

First progression is also used in digimon theme song butterflys ending. Wonderful progression!

[@Pulse2AM]

I love your lessons, so knowledgable! I was playing a Depeche Mode song and in the chorus they have the last chord of the progression the first time a Maj chord and the final time through a minor chord. It's very effective for their style of music.

[@AixjddjxFjskcktvk]

I also love your videos!!!! Cant stop watching them! You keep explaining everything in a very simplified yet sophisticated matter. Im learning so many new things in music theory and nothing gives me greater joy than understanding in depth about what I'm most interested in. Your videos are always very well explained. Thank you so much.

[@ricardofigueredo7938]

David, I'd love a video about The Sim 1 soundtrack from you. I think there's gold there to dig plus the nostalgia factor. Keep up the good work!

[@garyargyle4523]

A beautiful but also maddening thing about chord progressions is how the order and inversions can change the entire make-up of the emotional feel. For example, I do semi-improvised theater music and this so far this Summer, I often find myself scrambling to remember what order of I IV V vi will evoke that over-the-top, triumphant, noble himbo trope ( vi - IV - I -V) I'm looking for. at least 25% of the time I end up reminding the audience of Tom Petty instead (IV - I - vi - V)

[@tactlacker]

Fuck yes!

[@tonycameron5596]

David, this is a truly wonderful explanation of those 4 Chord Progressions. It is so well explained even I can understand it!

[@TomFooleryTheAustere]

Man, I am learning so much from your channel, and I’ve got a tear in my eye. KFaR was played at me ma’s funeral cuz she played it over and over again for the few months she had left before she died. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

[@johnandre5558]

Have you considered a book or course? You do a great job on these videos. Always enjoyable.

[@mitchelcosta4411]

The first chord progression is also used in the opening of with a little help from my friends by the Beatles

[@davidgoode7416]

Great video, thanks

[@polibix]

the video is only a minute old how could you have watched it?

[@davidgoode7416]

​@Polibix Got lucky I guess, I submitted compliment as I was watching...

[@arklowrockz]

Stepping Out is such a great Joe Jackson song

[@tzoreehandler9163]

The Kiss from a Rose progression is also used in She's Electric by Oasis, and in a song that She's Electric was probably inspired by, which is With a Little Help from My Friends by The Beatles.

[@ZackC]

“She’s Electric” is almost entirely I-V/vi-vi-IV, and “…Help From My Friends” is I-V-ii-V-I with I and IV for the chorus. Progression-wise, neither really compares to “Kiss From A Rose” or even each other. Edit: The “Billy Shears” bit from the end of the title track on Sgt. Pepper does sort of use the progression, though.

[@tzoreehandler9163]

@@ZackC She's Electric uses it at the end of each verse and ofc at the outro. With a Little Help from My Friends uses it at the intro and the outro, which inspired the She's Electric one.

[@ZackC]

I stand corrected! My apologies.

[@Oligodendrocyte139]

Hey, stop it. You’re being too polite for YT and may be banned.

[@lynnturman8157]

@@ZackC With a Little Help ends with the bIV--bVII--I progression, when Ringo goes up high & sustains the word "friends" & John sings "ahs" underneath him. It's probably the most iconic use of this particular cadence.

[@GenXTechh]

Oh my gosh I love every song in the Kiss From A Rose progression. Now I have to go experiment with it 😂

[@douglaspantz]

A suggestion for the next video: i-bIII-IV-bVI Used In: “The House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals “Call Me” by Blondie “The Ecstasy of Gold” by Ennio Morricone (Used in the good the bad and the ugly) “One” by Harry Nilsson (covered by Three Dog Night)

[@kennyrosenyc]

Actually, in the case of the Marvin Gaye progression, the I and the iii both belong to the 'Tonic' chord family and are therefore interchangeable. That makes that chord progression, for all practical intents and purposes a I-IV-V progression with a quick substitution of a iii. It also works as a I-vi-IV-V as well because the vi is also part of that chord family.

[@daveandrew589]

I would think that a useful defense strategy in copyright lawsuits would be to point out that virtually every melody and/or chord progression has been used for hundreds of years in classical and/or folk (traditional) songs that are long out of copyright (and in fact probably predated copyright laws). It puzzles me why this doesn't get used, as it is now so easy to identify antecedents.

[@lepercolony8214]

It's because copyright law is dumb and bad

[@Pulse2AM]

Typically it boils down to a defining feature of the song that is infringed. Remember it's usually a jury that decides, not musicians.

[@bambidontcry]

Such a great source of inspiration ! Amazing clarity comes with knowledge. Thanks mate

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you 😊

[@jordanjohnyeates7577]

I iii IV V also used by the Beatles in 'You Know My Name'

[@InventorZahran]

And in 'California' by The Petersens

[@pedrob7066]

I really love your videos and i also use that same trend tool on hooktheory for a while now!! It helps me see chord progressions of certain songs im thinking about using as inspiration for my songs!!!

[@paulgoulden7774]

As a guitar player I’m dumbfounded as to how I was never taught this or never worked it out but I think i get it now 👏👏👏 it’s in the numbers ? The intervals 🤔

[@nedim_guitar]

I know one song that's in I ii IV I. "Narcotic" by Liquido. They had that one hit in mid 90's. Its a really catchy song and the synth melody in it is kinda fun. That's the only song of theirs that I know and I haven't heard it in years, but the chord progression is so catchy, I immediately thought of that song. Sure, before coming back to the I chord, they sometimes play the V shortly. But the principle is the same.

[@KalebPeters99]

Awesome stuff, David! Your playing and teaching keep getting even better, love your work 🙏

[@prathamrathod182]

I am eagerly waiting for a new video in the orchestral series

[@jeremiepaquette7364]

I love the first chord progression ! the song '' When summer's gone ''' by the british boys band Blue uses that progression. It really gives a different vibe

[@LTDLimiTeD1995]

The first one is part of what gives The Lord of the Rings main theme (Shown best in "The Ring Goes South") Also, the iii-IV motion is one of the most underused and underrated movements.

[@chriskartub]

Kiss from a rose. 2021 chords bVI bVII I , are also used in A Little Help From My Friends 1967. The 3 chords used as a Theme , "One with the other" to quote Sir George Martin. If you think about it, we are held hostage for the entire duration of the song to finally complete the balance of these 3 characteristic sounding chords, They are used once on the intro, and once on the outro ( but with lots of contrast on everything else! ) Putting your memory to a super test. Did anyone make the connection? Your subconscious did.

[@AccountantDoesDIY]

Let’s get it on progression always reminds me of the Grandstand theme tune from Saturday afternoons in the UK back in the 80s!

[@Paul-dw2cl]

*AW, THAT ‘I CAN HEAR MUSIC’ PITCH-SHIFTED UP SOUNDS SO GOOD*

[@PianoMatronNeeNee]

Always the best David. Thanks for sharing from Miami🌴

[@johndorlean1133]

I have to say the "Isn't she lovely" automatically sparked both Saturday in the Park and Back on the Road, I'm so glad you included them. Is Bobby Caldwell's "Can't Say Goodbye" in the same progression?

[@thomasowen5785]

Dude your jam over the Marvin Gaye progression was incredible

[@Treydmusicmedia]

Great Job! I like how you introduce "old moldy" techniques, such as the Piccardy third, into popular tunes. Thank you!

[@MartinLohmueller]

The first progression sounds so uplifting like an ascension.

[@patkelly8309]

Your tutorials are really helpful. Clear and concise, thanks.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you 😊

[@Dhakadice]

1:51

[@chris1232123]

6:30 My Lovely Horse. Brilliant :D

[@LAKESICK]

It took me four of your videos to realize you had an accent! Love your work, man. Very accessible approach to teaching!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you 😊

[@RabbidTheNabbit]

The seal one is so fucking good bro, i now realise why i love so many of those songs that use it lol

[@DangerDthatsMi]

Had to come give the thumb, subscribe, leave a comment, tell a few friends that this was the fastest to-the-point video I've ever seen. Outstanding display picture, I got the whole video right from the video browsing page.

[@Polaris.playsguitar]

great video, love the content man. also i recently discovered that thre martin gaye progression is also used in holiday by weezer

[@TheSaintBrad]

Great and instructional as always. For clarity sake, it was the estate of Ed Townsend, who co-wrote Let's Get It On with Marvin Gaye, that sued Ed Sheeran.

[@SteveBrockMedia]

The “Lovely” progression looks like it hangs its hat around an Am chord with different bass notes to change the tonality. Fascinating to see it visually.

[@krickrack]

I really like your videos on chords progression :) it's very useful for me. Thank you.

[@Manzie1000]

Loved all the examples and the explanation. Not overly detailed but just enough to get someone on their way using these progressions. Earned a sub from me!

[@ittiponsimuang9710]

Best 12.11 minutes on KZbin in a long time.

[@MariUSukulele]

cool stuff - DANKE

[@axlhyvonen461]

I just all these episodes regarding chord progressions, because it is one of my favourite subjects when it comes to the music theory☺☺

[@ruttles]

David, another good video, thanks. Becoz you're a teacher here's 2 considerations. Many learners will think in a 5 chord-type system (maj, min, dom, dim, half-dim) so the 2 chord in Isn't She Lovely would best be described from the outset as a dom (or '7th') family, not maj. Also they'll think of VI chords normally as min thus the bVI in our progression would best be called bVImaj 👍

[@lov3alongmusic]

These videos have taught me so much

[@stan_dundalk985]

This Channel is a fantastic resource. I just stumbled upon it yesterday and I'm in. Great stuff

[@Flobyby]

That last chord progression I always refer to it as the chords fro Hallelujah I Love Her So. ^^

[@bbybudaluna]

First progression also reminds me of “something special” by usher

[@BazColne]

Thanks. Nice playout.

[@AngryMusicTheoryNerd]

The songs from Perfect Dark usually use the bVI bVII I progression, but the I is minor

[@onedayapp3534]

I've been recently listening to anastacia, I've noticed very interesting chord progressions and melodies

[@joelcaron8291]

God, I love this format with the chords progressions... love the ending too.

[@jimmythebold589]

vi, II, V, I also features bass notes that move up all in fourths. so, C#, F#, B, E. ... very cool! But it's really a I to V chord progression, substituted. so , in this case. we're talking B major ( ii to V) to Emajor (V to I), which is very cool. Trane used juxtaposed V to I and ii to I couplets in giant steps

[@jamesconger8509]

Thanks so much for what you do,

[@nugboy420]

Lmao been obsessed with Heman “what’s up” and got my daughter listening to the real song yesterday. So weird how random stuff coincides

[@sarahedwards2]

A G11 can also be written as an F/G slash chord.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Yes, good point 🙂🙂

[@troysmithfr]

That specific voicing, yes

[@shadicgamer2124]

10:15 I immediately thought of the song "No One But You" when I heard this progression🥰

[@user-wf2vz1lg5p]

i know that chord progression as the frutiger aero chord progression as it was used in many songs through the late 90’s to the early 2010’s related to frutiger aero aesthetic… i feel like it gives a sense of hope!

[@user-wc4df2fx2p]

Fantastic job. Congratulations. Very clear. Very useful. One suggestion. It be great to see a video in which you compose a whole song, using those progressions. Regards, best wishes and again, thank you.

[@Joshuadavidgoodman]

YES!! The Mario Cadence!! The song Hurricane from Thrice does this and it’s quite dramatic, it catches you off guard.

[@DeJect_music]

Hey man, love your vids. Was wondering if you would be into talking about the band Cardiacs. Especially songs like Odd, Even. Uncle Pip and Tarred and Feathered, they are known for their wacky and unique melodies, rhythms and chord progressions, thought it may be of interest.

[@frankiewylde7649]

Fantastic! Love your videos. More chord progression videos please!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😊😊😊

[@jesusalejandrogutierrezsul9625]

Bro, may God bless you more and more every day. Thanks for teaching us in such a fantastic and clear way