Writing Different Chord Progressions For One Melody - Composition Basics Tutorial

[@yadinmichaeli12]

Oh my god i think this is exactly what i been looking for thank you so much! :)

[@YasuoMidOnly]

This is a golden tutorial

[@Evenant]

Glad you enjoyed it Yasuo! -Isaias

[@storytimesymphony5395]

Very, very useful. I love the 1 chord sound, I never really noticed just how gentle that can make it sound if you do it right!

[@Evenant]

Sometimes less in more indeed! I kinda think of the "1 chord" progression as the musical version of a cinematographer's establishing shot, or wide angle, to set the tone of the scene. -Isaias

[@MaxTooney]

This could also serve as a tutorial for 'breathing life' into your composition. The use of expression--especially beginning around the 28:00 mark makes ALL the difference in the world. Really, really nice development around this chord progression!

[@SteveWhite24]

Thanks for your work in putting this together Isaias. Interesting hearing the same melody with different chordal accompaniment. Very useful.

[@Evenant]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks =)

[@juliansolo1825]

Hey Isaias, Great tutorial, really instructive. Love the color the F# gives in the Downward Movement exemple. Thank you so much!

[@Evenant]

Thanks Juliam much appreciated! :) ...Glad you noticed that F#, I kinda needed a rising chord to assist that celli/flute combo melody in that particular passage. - Isaias

[@juliansolo1825]

Just watched for the 2nd time, you told about may be doing another one on Chord extensions. I would definitely love to watch a Chord extensions tutorial from you !Thanks again for this one. Julian

[@Evenant]

Yes, I have on my list to do a tutorial just on extended chords in the future. Stay tuned! -Isaias

[@zaharishtonov]

Looking forward to the extended chords tutorial as well! This is something that I already use instinctively when I play. It'll be nice to see you focusing on it. Definitely staying tuned! :)

[@just4dalaughters431]

50 minute video?!!👀.. but this definitely the most complete video about chords progressions that I’ve always looked for Ps; don’t ever remove it. I’ve saved it so I can always come back to it

[@tomtebby7408]

A brilliant tutorial. Very informative and explained incredibly well. This will definitely help me explore new sonic territory - thank you.

[@IsaacValdivia]

This was simply phenomenal... I really appreciate tutorials like this one, that try to cover topics or ideas barely shown in any other videos out there

[@Evenant]

Thanks for the kind reply Isaac! That's certainly what try to do at Evenant, offer more content on topics that aren't covered as much. The Cinematic Music course is definitely worth every penny, as it goes into so much more depth than any of our KZbin tutorials. We also offer 4-month and 12-month payment options so it's easier on your wallet. =)

[@leizhang9430]

29:51 sounds brilliant!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@Evenant]

Haha I was happy how that little passage turned out, so thanks! Hopefully you found some of the ideas useful.

[@zaharishtonov]

The entire downward motion movement sounds brilliant because of the F# change and the flute/cello counter acting the strings downward progression. Such joy! :)

[@joshuawatson6776]

Thank you for these and yes can you do another video on extended chords. Also if you haven't already another video on how to automate and voice strings. That downward chord progression sounds really good.

[@Evenant]

Thanks Joshua! I've already received a few requests for another tutorial on ext. chords, so I'll definitely add that to our list of topics to cover in future tutorials. I have 2 other tutorials on here about "Dramatic Underscoring" where I talk about string voicing and automation, and also check out some Arn's videos too. =)

[@joshuawatson6776]

Ok thank you, I'll definitely check those out.

[@letsplayharmonica]

Simply awesome! whole bunch of information in just one video tutorial! Congratulations! Maybe I can enroll into one of your courses. Watching this magnificent tutorial I've felt myself inspired and motivated.

[@CesarDMarin]

Amazing tutorial! Thank you so much!

[@Evenant]

Glad you enjoyed it! Stay tuned for more stuff. =)

[@CesarDMarin]

I definitely am!

[@thegiftofbread8331]

Yes. Very useful. Long, but worth the effort. Thanks.

[@Evenant]

Glad you enjoyed it, hope you didn't mind the length! - Isaias

[@HiFi2577]

We don't care about the quality of your samples. The content is good!

[@tsejeremy5341]

What a good tutorial. I have a question. What is the "Progression (Chord+ Melody)" (48:18) about? Thanks!!!

[@bronson1392]

this is great excercise, though i must confess the best ideas always come to me fully orchestrated when i don't have an instrument in my hand. Then i just write and develop in my head.

[@Evenant]

It's always interesting to hear how every composer comes up with their ideas, as long as the end result is good, doesn't matter how one gets there. =)

[@bronson1392]

Evenant i agree 100%!

[@benjaminb3499]

Thank you so much for the tutorial. I only recently started learning and your tutorials have been a great boon!

[@Evenant]

Thanks for the kind words Tilo! Glad you've found them useful and feel free to share your results later on. =)

[@ishagshafeeg]

Thanks for sharing a gem. Really appreciate it.

[@Evenant]

No problem Ishag, glad you enjoyed it!

[@emreteselli6020]

Thanks !

[@njm20music]

is tat Fmi add 9 as opposed to Fmi9 which would be a four note chord.? How did you decide on what chords to add to the melody notes, is there a method in how to select the next chord, or is it based on the circle of fifths

[@zaharishtonov]

Isaias, I think things really kicked into next gear when you introduced the sketch played by the flute and one of the cello parts ( _this is what you would call a counter melody perhaps?_ ) in the _Downward Motion_ . It would be great if you could continue with more extended tutorial that expands more onto this line of thinking. It feels almost like magic to me at this time and I'd like to learn how this is achieved. Thanks so much for letting us in into the composer's head moment :)

[@Evenant]

Hey Zahari! Thanks for the kind words again. Ah yes, that particular passage seems to have been popular among the listeners on this video, so it's definitely worth considering a future tutorial on this line of thinking, as you mentioned. In the meantime, I can tell you that the countermelodies between the flute/cello were very improvisational, meaning I recorded both parts several times with their melodies moving up to counter the downward movement. So a lot of improvisation happened here before I was happy with the "conversation" between those 2 instruments. The "magic" sauce I think its the sudden change to the F# (modulating away from what would be normally expected) coupled with the rising of the overall volume and melody, then suddenly bringing back down. I actually a lot of these buildups in my music. My 2 other tutorials on Dramatic Underscoring (especially Part II) have plenty of these types of moments. =)

[@chrispantos]

Thank you very much man!

[@Akshaibiloniya]

Pure Gold

[@WAERedthunder]

Amazing!

[@RazzuqaBasha]

Amazing tutorial! Thanks for sharing this great knowledge. I would ask which chord progression did you use in the section 5:55-6:32? Is it only tremolo articulation of cello chord with expression changes only? And which instrument you use in the end of this section? Harmonica? Thanks a lot again.

[@Evenant]

Hey Rizeq, thanks for the kind words, glad you enjoyed the tutorial! There isn't really a chord progression at 5:55, but just expression and small melodic changes, as you guessed correctly. =) The instrument at the end is called a Yamil from East West Quantum Leap Ra. - Isaias

[@RazzuqaBasha]

Hello Isaias, Your tutorials are very informative as I mentioned. Thanks for your reply. Did you mean the Yailli Tambour? I searched in the Ra library and did not find the Yamil.

[@briancraig1684]

What notes out the 12 note scale that can be combined into intervals that can be use to cause forward motion Let say you have just two chords and you want to give the listener the illusion that they moving forward in motion harmonically

[@NeverduskX]

The Medieval and following progression gave me strong final fantasy vibes.

[@rickctaylor7753]

Hi Isaias. Very good tutorial. One thing that is confusing me is how you have used a G Major chord in a C minor key (if I'm correct). It appears to work but how. Wouldn't that normally be a G minor chord ? .

[@Evenant]

Hi Rick, glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the feedback. The G major here simply functions as the major 5th/dominant chord of C (whether it's C major or minor). You'll hear this progression in pretty much all of western classical music as the most popular way to resolve chord progressions. Feel free to try them out in different keys! (ie. Bb major - Eb, A major - D, so on). - Isaias

[@rickctaylor7753]

Thanks for the reply Isaias. I read up on this and for anyone else who is interested here is a link to a very clear and concise explanation. www.quora.com/In-music-theory-is-a-dominant-chord-of-a-minor-chord-necessarily-minor-as-well-Can-the-dominant-of-a-minor-chord-be-a-major-chord

[@letsplayharmonica]

The G major chord comes from the harmonic C minor scale. It's employed in other to make a perfect V - i cadence. Isn't it, Isaias?

[@letsplayharmonica]

Simply awesome! whole bunch of information in just one video tutorial! Congratulations! Maybe I can enroll into one of your courses. Watching this magnificent tutorial I've felt myself inspired and motivated.

[@Evenant]

That's precisely it, Jose. =)

[@MaxKusari]

18mins in, it sounds like it would have been original final fantasy IX music! :D

[@dreamflux6964]

It's really a very informative tutorial ! Thanks for this. Btw, what is the software you are using? I can't recognize it

[@inglesfluente2693]

I believe this is Logic Pro X, by Apple.

[@charlie7801]

do the extended chord lesson !

[@Evenant]

It's definitely on the list for future topics!

[@juliansolo1825]

Hi Isaias, I would have a question regarding Chords: In the Downward movement, which I believe we can see it in the key of C minor except for 3 chords: F#, Bbm and Fm9, could you please tell me how do you consider those chords? In this context, is it correct to see the F# chord as the iv degree of C Lydian, Bbm the i degree of Bd minor and Fm9 the v degree of Bb minor for instance?? Would you personally see them as part of another keys in comparison or in connection to the main C minor key? Thanks again and again!!! By the way, I believe that I figured out why I so much loved the F# chord, it is because of the effect of the chromatic movement :) Julian

[@Evenant]

Hi Julian, these are great questions! For more practical reasons than theoretical, the modulation to the F# section mainly served the purpose of continuing the downward progression to illustrate my example. But yes, you can certainly use the modes to find the points of connection to a particular mode/scale. In context with the emotional intent of the cue, I like using these harmonic changes to signify an important transition that will aid the visuals (ie. a film or game). Would be curious to hear your own compositional take on harmonic changes if you're up for the challenge :)

[@juliansolo1825]

Ok let's do that! :)I am still in a learning process and trying to figuring out a lot but I'll do for sure as soon as I will get something to submit to a such great audience!Thanks for your answer.

[@letsplayharmonica]

It seems to me that the DbMajor chord is good example of Modal Interchange. In this case, the DbMajor chord would be the bII degree of C Phrygian scale. Or we can analyse it as a Neapolitan chord as well.

[@juliansolo1825]

Hey José, thanks for your comment.There is no DbMajor here, what do you mean ?My question is how would you consider the F#, Bbmin and Fm add9 chords in this context.

[@synthplayer1563]

Thanks, very interesting and useful. But I wonder why you don't use notation to show the examples. With notation the pure music is outlined and you can much better explain what's going on in the music.

[@SushilChBasak]

What DAW is it?

[@marvinschluckauf6783]

Logic Pro X, look In the top left corner

[@SushilChBasak]

@@marvinschluckauf6783 Oh thank u

[@AntonisKoumpari]

Please tell me that this exists as a song

[@MusicAMG]

Very informative for sure.. have you ever considered working with notation software? I use a free program called MuseScore, which is a free alternative to Sibelius.. It makes writing parts for instruments so much easier than working with a midi piano roll. Side benefit is learning to read and write notation. I highly recommend it. Everything you create can be imported to your DAW as midi too.. Then you can tweak it..

[@Evenant]

Thanks for the suggestions! I practically started my education using Sibelius and Finale, and whenever I've had the opportunity to record something live, I would write some of the stuff on notation software and then import the MIDI. I absolutely agree, learning to read and write notation, even at a basic level, has many benefits! =)

[@MusicAMG]

MuseScore just rocks.. Changed my writing forever.. thanks, keep up the work!

[@komalthecoolk]

C'mon guys, do a one time 50% off for Christmas and spread the word and see your sales skyrocket!! There are SO MANY struggling composers that can do so better with their career with your guidance.

[@mycollegeshirt]

Sounds like hedwigs theme