How Chords are Named: Easy Music Theory

[@dongoard1]

I’ve been playing for 44 years. This is the best explanation of chord naming I’ve seen. I also really liked your Circle of Fifths video. Wonderful teaching. Great job Man!

[@lposprb]

I’ve searched high and low and Sean, dude, you can put to words and explain stuff like no other. This is THE BEST, without question, explanation and description of chords, formulas, etc! Seriously, well done brother.

[@anthonymartinez8458]

No one was giving me a straight answer when I asked them what my chord would be called without a 5th. Everyone would either go on an unnecessary tangent regarding theory or just tell me I’m better off learning how to read music if I cared that much. Thanks to this I now know that the name of the chord doesn’t change if the 5th is on vacation. THANK U

[@SishId]

I know this video was uploaded like forever ago, but man you really helped me out with this stuff. Every resource I've found was relatively mundane and wasn't nearly as visual as this, really helped me understand why chords have such weird ass names. Thanks a lot if you're reading this man!

[@adriamillasluque]

For the knowledge inside of this video lots of people pay a good couple hundred euros to have someone explain this to them. Thank you, Sean!

[@abxorb]

It took me years to figure maybe 10% of this out from all the bits and pieces I've seen and heard over the years, not putting too much effort into it myself either and struggling how melodies and progressions work. This video put it so clear and consistent, excellent lesson, thanks! 👍

[@w.l.davisjr.1]

7 years late but you broke through my thick skull in ONE session and unmasked the mystery (for me) of how chords are made. Thank You

[@sgtpepper6499]

Seriously, Your videos are litterally the complete responsibility of my theory knowledge, God bless you for free lessons. And thank you so much.

[@toddbrindle9505]

Had no idea that naming chords was this easy to comprehend. Thank you brother!

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@Cell4TR]

Thats the best and simplest explanation i have ever seen

[@steveg.3022]

Just found this chord spelling explanation (4 years later). Fantastic! So succinct. Thanks. I’m gonna put this video in speed dial.

[@giannislymperopoylos5574]

ITS THE BEST VIDEO ON CHORDS NAME IVE SEEN...HANDS DOWN...!YOU ARE EXCEPTIONAL AT TRANSFERRING THE KNOWLEDGE IN THE MOST COMPREHENSIBLE WAY...!!THANK YOU!! THE MOST CRUCIAL THING IS THAT ITS EASIER TO ADJUST ALL THE NUMBERS-POSITIONS IN ONLY ONE SCALE ...THE MAJOR ONE...THAN ADJUSTING THE PATTERN NUMBERS.....1-3-5... ETC... IN EVERY SINGLE SCALE FROM WHICH YOU WANT TO FORM THE CHORD...ITS 2 DIFFERENT APPROACHES AND ITS TAUGHT EITHER WAY...BUT I BELIEVE ITS FAR MORE CLEVER AND EFFICIENT THEY WAY YOU TEACH IT...!!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much for saying so!

[@snowyowl1717]

I totally agree with you man, but stop screaming!

[@pringpring9468]

May God give me patience.

[@seandaniel23]

+Pring Pring You got it man!

[@madd2303]

Me too

[@rajeevkumarmamidi834]

😂

[@BillDeWitt]

THAT'S what I always didn't know! Thanks. Either I am finally at the point in my learning that I can begin to grasp these things, or you are a super cool and groovy teacher. We can just assume it's the second.

[@atelier8584]

I have math test tomorrow but I'm learning how to name chords. But being a faliure is ok...

[@seandaniel23]

You're winning at chords though.

[@tumpy1]

Great,I think you learn your math online too.

[@zapantalambda]

Hahaha

[@Deadly1996]

How did the test go?

[@atelier8584]

@@Deadly1996 It's been 3 years I don't remember

[@chadgarber]

This is a FANTASTIC lesson. You have a great way of explaining and teaching! Thanks!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@nealhartsell3880]

Fabulous teacher. My gosh. It’s finally becoming clearer to me. Thank you!!!

[@zapheya9606]

Now all I need to do is to master fretboard's note names, the progression of note in each key,and the formulas for these confusing extended chords. Thanks Sean!! You really cleared a lot of things for me.

[@riddick2k707]

Dude. Why have I always been afraid of music theory? This was on point and easy to understand. Thanks

[@lyndonmendoza]

Old video but what a superb and useful one! You've done it again Sean!

[@redYELL0Wblue]

Man, you cleared this up for me so well. Thanks again for the awesome content, Sean!

[@seandaniel23]

So great to hear man! I'll keep em coming!

[@jacobsellars933]

this video has been more useful than any other I've come across so far. thanks a lot!

[@seandaniel23]

Happy it helped Jacob!

[@petermusiko1030]

I was just about to go to bed so I didn't get a paper and a pencil but I think I got almost all of what you explained...this is a brilliant explanation of music theory, the best and simplest explanation of chords ever! 👏👏👏

[@idowuoluwabusayomiwga1493]

God bless you man. Hod has just solved my problem of many years through you

[@isthisagoodyoutubehandle]

You can actually play D#major7sus4/13 in standard tuning with only 4 fingers and without inversion (if you have a capo.) Capo: 8th fret 11 - 11 - 12 - X - 11 - 8 (open) (D#/Eb) - (G#/Ab) - (D) - X - (A#/Bb) - (C) You could also invert it or cheat by playing the "13" in the chord (a C) in a lower octave but it'll technically alter the chord name

[@isthisagoodyoutubehandle]

(PS: it doesn't sound very good lol. Would need some real JAZZ to sound cool if you know what I mean)

[@mikep5393]

This is great. My guitar teacher could never explain suspended chords to me. Now I understand.

[@vidmohit4684]

This is fantastic teaching! I've been racking my brain around this stuff and this video has made some things finally click for me. I will still need to rewatch and practice until I have it totally down but thank you for your excellent explanation :)

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@MrAngelofmusic2112]

Sean please visualize the F# major barre chord on the second fret. As you hold this down, only lift the barre of ONLY the 2 thinnest strings (B & E strings). Continue to hold down all of the other notes in this cool chord. What is the name of this chord??? Notes in this final chord are F#, C#, A#, B, E.

[@seandaniel23]

I believe we'd call it an F#7add4

[@vin4216]

You're a good teacher, Sean.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for saying so!

[@Jesse_Johnson]

This was great. I looked all over for an explanation. Perfect. Thanks !

[@seandaniel23]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Ragnarly970]

brother, you've earned a subscriber in me. What you are doing uploading these videos for free is amazing. I'm going to buy you course with the guy with the beard to show my support (also cause it seems like a sick and friendly/awesome teaching style). I'm an intermediate guitar player who enjoys your direct approach to the information in learning how to play with regards to theory and just all of it. Thank you man, keep spreading positivity, i aint religious but the lord knows the world could always use more of it. -JP

[@MELLOSMOOTHE2]

Sean is great at guitar theory. That's why I subscribe to his channel. Are there any great books that you suggest that I can learn this stuff.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much! I never really found a great book to be honest, that's why I started making the vids :)

[@raulgarcia9682]

Had to watch it a few times and write it down but I think I got it now. Thanks a lot

[@seandaniel23]

Great to hear!

[@WRNicholsLaw]

Fantastic! That was probably the better part of a semester in college music class.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching!

[@rosswilliam2472]

Wow, what a terrific lesson! Completely cleared up a lot of questions I had about chords. Much appreciated. I also dig your humor at the beginning of your videos. Subscribed!

[@seandaniel23]

Welcome to the party!

[@antoniosoaressj]

Great Sean! You are a genius musician and a great teacher. Your lessons are fun, interesting, relevant, and practical. I found it very helpful. Thanks a lot. Stay Blessed.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much Antonio!

[@geoffgurney88]

Thank you Sean . You are an excellent teacher.

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@TheWazzupDood]

Came for the video content, stayed because of the intro. Funny and helpful 10/10.

[@seandaniel23]

+Matt “Not Nick” Pellicane Thanks for watching!

[@erikstigter7897]

thanks for explaining this understandably.. I always heard it was nearly impossible to learn this stuff, but it’s actually quite easy.

[@johnatkin8732]

Super thanks - I've at last understood how guitar chords are made !

[@MELLOSMOOTHE2]

Hi Sean thank you very much again. I just received a great book a few minutes ago. It's by Mel Bay called understanding how to build guitar chords & arpeggios . It reading it now its very helpful and easy to understand. At all levels of music training . I new to music theory so this book is very helpful in educating me in music. Keep doing what you're doing. 🎵🎼🎸

[@seandaniel23]

So glad to hear you found a good one! Keep rocking Marcel!

[@MELLOSMOOTHE2]

@@seandaniel23 I definitely will try to you keep rocking also🎵🎼🎸

[@seandaniel23]

Will do!

[@ibanez1008]

Amazing lesson I am watching after 4 years❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@justaskaulakis8202]

Chord names in Lithuania are somehow different so you helped me a lot when downloading new sheet music from the web Thank you!

[@ila2500]

Sean: you did an excellent job of teaching this cord name calling thing, clearly spelt out, good level of audio, and yes you are handsome and some times elegant. 🙏🏻😊💡

[@pierre6940]

Thanks for explaining the "mystère et élégance" of chords!

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help Pierre!

[@BustaBeatMooses]

Sean, that master sheet is great. Thanks for that 🍻

[@cmcasadoiro]

Finally, I understand it. Thanks, Sean!

[@seandaniel23]

So great to hear!

[@Obe411]

Thanks for the video Dexter, you made understanding how cords are composed as simple as it can be

[@seandaniel23]

And zero murders!

[@IGOR-fc8yr]

Good evening, Tuesday of March, we are in your company and honoring your project, congratulations and success

[@pstostudiosrda]

Thanks this video is more helpfull....i know some chords but im trying to understand how to play a chord on piano and then be able to play it on bass and guitar so it all comes together

[@seandaniel23]

+Absolutely Anything At All That's a great way to come at it with all the different instruments. You'll get it in no time!

[@pstostudiosrda]

Sean Daniel Thanks man!

[@arpanchakraborty9874]

Best video mate..thanks...patience till i am able to play most of them.

[@SagnikKolay]

This is so awesome. Thanks Sean. Great stuff :)

[@seandaniel23]

Thank you :)

[@SagnikKolay]

Sean, can you make a video for Indian ragas on guitar?

[@seandaniel23]

I'm not super familiar with them so I'll have to check them out!

[@allouttabubblegum799]

I have learned more about chords watching this video than any other video. I also have gone cross-eyed and have a headache. How do you recommend learning chords? Pick one key and learn all of it? Learn the majors? Learn the minors?

[@ijkavanagh]

Just a brilliant video! Thank you so much for taking the time.

[@seandaniel23]

Always happy to help!

[@louisruffin6808]

Thank you, Sean. You're a big help to me.

[@iamandes4455]

Best chord naming vid on the tube! Thanks!

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@kingchaaos3591]

i'm completely amazed like...just wow

[@rv7767]

You made it look easy. Thank you!!!!

[@emilyteng8095]

I’m so Glad I found this video. Your explanation is very clear and concise. Thx a lot!

[@gavinthorburn3724]

This is the first music theory video I’ve understood 🎉

[@mmmmkkk]

oh man, finally, that explains a LOT. It seems to be perfectly ignored topic by so many music theory lessons.

[@seandaniel23]

thanks for checking it out!

[@michaelstendahl3547]

This is a great video and helped clear up some questions. I think it could be an UNBELIEVABLE video if you could place an overlay of the shape to finish off the painting. The reason being is I kept getting lost when visualizing the higher numbers and kept trying to picture how the chord looks. Maybe I'm too visual but food for thought. Thanks again for the vids!

[@seandaniel23]

+michael stendahl Great feedback! Thanks for watching Michael!

[@MrBX5]

The explanation was clear, but I still need to rewatch this a few times to get it in my head. I'm still a bit confused. I tried the end chord as an exercice to see if I got it right, so, a D#major7sus4/13 would have the notes d# g# a# d c?

[@seandaniel23]

+MrBX5 Yeah that's exactly right! Now good luck finding a use for that chord :)

[@SmileSoSmall]

Sean Daniel you have to first find the D# major scale?

[@milovankamilic8842]

dont forget to be realistic - you will need to do a bit of work whatever method you follow for learning piano I have spent months researching into teaching yourself piano and found a great website at TurboPianoSecret.com (check it out on google)

[@jimgodofbiscuits]

SmileSoSmall The best way to notate a D# scale is using Eb. Same notes but less confusing than having a G and G# like in D# scale D# scale - D# F G G# A# C D Eb scale - Eb F G Ab Bb C D The chord at the end would then be Eb Ab Bb D C using Eb scale

[@relish1192]

Uhm

[@lawriel9628]

I love ur explanation, so easy to understand. But i still have question. How can i build Amaj7 or A7 chord even Amaj chord is strumming from fifth string (standart tuning) and if strumming from fifth string, the note start from A E note then to triad A. Where i can add G or Gb to make Amaj7 or A7?

[@garykewley6943]

HI Sean, Aloha and Mahalo for this lesson. Pls note, I'm sure I'm not alone when I ask you to 'show' us via playing the chords variations in at least 2 shapes...the open E and A... up the frets...in addition to talking over the text. Thanks again. GQ

[@wargilbometivoespanola6601]

Thanks for sharing Sir..very informative topic.

[@bykers81]

Why am I only finding all your videos now! Been playing guitar for years and this is the stuff I feel I should understand already. Great explanation as usual but...I’m still unsure with Diminished/dominant - Cm7b5...would that be both Dominant and Diminished then?

[@seandaniel23]

Great question. Minor 7 flat 5 chords are only considered diminished. Dominant is meant for a major chord that has a minor 7 (or b7), that occurs on the 5 chord. So the minor7b5 chord has the b7 part, but not the major 3rd part. Hope that made sense!

[@bykers81]

Cheers Sean, it makes sense, will make more sense when I get further into my theory self study.

[@hammster8255]

Hi from Australia Sean. Very well explained. Great link too. Your videos on how the chords, scales, etc link up on the guitar are the best on you tube IMO. It is much appreciated. I made a return 12 months ago to learning guitar after a 40 year hiatus. I wish KZbin was around in the 70's! My fingers aren't as nimble as they once were but my playing is improving each day thanks to a lot of the information you have shared. I've also read some music theory e-books so have a reasonable grasp on how chords & scales are made, etc. Any suggestions on the best method/steps to learning the blues on guitar? Thanks in advance, Phil

[@deacontheseer4804]

Fantastic lesson dude!

[@seandaniel23]

+deacon theseer Thanks so much!

[@babanachiket]

i didnt understand why 7th note is flat for Cm7b5 at 6:58 . Someone please help explain. thanks! this is btw the best video that cleared my concepts! thanks Sean!

[@seandaniel23]

Good question, so the chord you're referring to is Bm7b5, and even though we're making chord from the key of C, when it comes that 'B' notes chord, we 'spell' it as if we're using the key of B. I hope that makes sense!

[@ss-wh3sx]

cm7b5....the 3 6 7 are flatted in a minor and its calling for a flatted 5th also...

[@feedingfrenzy4961]

@@ss-wh3sx But he said you're supposed to make the chords using notes from the major scale

[@ss-wh3sx]

@@feedingfrenzy4961 yes but in c major your min7b5 or half dim is with the b root note...so ur still using the note of the major scale...the Cmaj and Amin Ddorian Ephrygian Flydian Gmixolydian and Blocrian is where the min7b5 comes from theyre all the same thing and are the same scale...sorry i thought you knew your music theory

[@feedingfrenzy4961]

@@ss-wh3sx But he specifically said in the video that B flat is not in C major. If B flat is in C major just because B is in C major, then every note would be in C major.

[@aprilhandmade85]

The best explanation ever

[@jfitz458]

Sean, Please explain how this fits into "Shelf in the room" ~ Days of the New. The de-tuning opens up three octaves in the open section of the fret board. Regards

[@GreggV]

This was really helpful, thanks!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching!

[@varunborugadda]

thanks for the lesson bro...u r doing a great job...may God bless you

[@seandaniel23]

+varun borugadda Thanks so much Varun! I'll keep em coming!

[@tock_]

You teach very bad man honestly i dont understand

[@nagahumanbeingzooofparticl8836]

Cricket Productions its because u are not interested or lazy or u are just dumb.

[@scotteza]

This is extremely helpful, thank you!

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@james.kaloki]

so awesome this is so well explained

[@binghamguevara6814]

Why is there a different spelling for the C maj 6 (CEGA) and the C6 (CEGA) even though they contain the same notes?

[@seandaniel23]

It's just a shortened way to write the same thing.

[@TheUllas7]

Great Lesson

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching Ullas!

[@kayelaine]

so for the note you want to create a chord for (your root) you use it's relative scale to create it's chords from?

[@TheFakeMikeLWatts]

This.... I GET IT NOW!!! Thank you so much. Thank you!!

[@nycolleamendez5608]

thank you good sir I'm new in this and i'm trying to learn a little on my own i was having trouble about how chords are named like sus chords for example thank you so much again this is easier to take in : D

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@wildcat1065]

Brilliant explanation, thanks !

[@Pete_Sam]

Brilliant. I'm a bit rusty but this video cleared the cobwebs 👍🏻

[@seandaniel23]

+Pete Sam Great to hear! Thanks for watching.

[@eenzamevriend7183]

This was really helpful, but I’m still having trouble with one thing, and if anyone knows I would really appreciate your help. I’m making a song and new to guitar. Sometimes I play a sequence of chords I make up and have no idea what it is, or what key it is in. How would you find that?

[@seandaniel23]

Great question, I made a vid on that I hope will help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpiQq417mbOaacU

[@eenzamevriend7183]

Sean Daniel, thank you :)

[@jimb6683]

You make my head hurt... But I think I am starting to get it! Thx

[@seandaniel23]

Keep at it!!

[@ElVis-kx1od]

Amazing! Really Helpful. Thanks!

[@jimgodofbiscuits]

Sean, can you give an example of when you would use Cadd2 v. Cadd9? I have read it has to do with whether the D note resides before or after the next octave change of C in this case? I'm confused on this one. Thanks

[@seandaniel23]

So I would think a Cadd2 would be a C major chord with an open D string. In that case, the D note is lower than the 5th of the chord (G), whereas a Cadd9 is playing the D on the 3rd fret of the B string. So since it's a higher D note, it would be the 9th note of the scale as it's passed the octave C. But honestly, same difference in my opinion.

[@jimgodofbiscuits]

Sean Daniel Thanks for replying Sean. That matches what I had read about whether or not you are past the root octave change but I tried these on reverse chord finders and the few I used gave both Cadd9. That goes to you saying it is the same difference. I find that odd when music theory seems to normally be so precise, and they do sound different a bit. Oh well it's not a huge deal.

[@romainesmith4880]

really appreciate this breakdown. completely learning from scratch. so this is really useful. but i dont understand a few things... so you said that a major 7th chord is a 1,3,5 and 7. Why isn't a major 9 chord a 1,3,5 and 9 chord? and i saw that the chord spelling for a Cmin7b5 is 1,flat3,flat5, flat7. But what do you called a chord which is 1,3,5 and 7? from what you explained, i would have thought the 'min' after the C just meant the 3rd was flattened, not the 7th as well. could you explain?

[@seandaniel23]

So if it's just a 1 3 5 9 it's called an 'add 9' chord, you need the major 7 in there to build a 9 on top of it. For Cmin7b5, that chord spelling is correct, the thing is it's really not a minor chord, it's close. A minor chord is a 1 b3 and 5. It can all be kind of confusing but you've got it mostly figured out.

[@romainesmith4880]

Got it!!!! :D but what is this chord called (assuming we are in C)? ...1, b3, 5, 7

[@shwetarockrock9233]

+Romaine Smith That's known as a minor major seventh chord. Also written as mM7. So it would be a CmM7 chord.

[@romainesmith4880]

shwetarock rock thank you! :)

[@GamesLeadMyLife]

I understood all of this and I know how to make them in theory. But how do I find them on a fretboard now? I know the fretboard by heart, but I don't know what I need to do to find chords using the theory on a guitar. I hear about scales and stuff but where can I find more info?

[@seandaniel23]

I've always got more vids coming out. But basically learning different chord voicings and applying them to root notes all over the neck is the way to go in my opinion.

[@GamesLeadMyLife]

Thanks for the replying! I've watched all 3 of your 100 chords in 8 mins videos, and I'm trying to memorize them now :D

[@emilhaller1004]

Greeeeaaaaat explanation! Thanks, very handy!

[@Zipsion]

How do you know when to play a dominant(flat) 7 when it just says Cmajor7? I noticed you keep flattening the 7 for some reason

[@seandaniel23]

You can always play a dominant 7 chord on the 5th degree of any chord. So in the key of F, the notes are F G A Bb C... so you can play a C7 there.

[@Zipsion]

@@seandaniel23 are you flattening the 7th because there's dissonance produced between the root note and the major 7th?

[@epsdudez]

Thanks for this. I've always wanted to know how chords were named but couldn't find any accessible information on it.

[@GentlemanHollister]

Christ on a crutch buddy - you just explained clearly and in concise terms concepts that I've never wrapped my head around in 16 years of playing the guitar! I mean I completely understand it now - there's a certain feeling where you *get* a concept you've struggled with before and man is it satisfying... what I want to know is why I've never had any guitar teacher whether for group or private instruction lay this out in visual terms like this. I guarantee nobody else understood any of this either in those classes, but I'd bet real money they could follow this. Why is this not standard operating procedure for teaching chords from the get-go? Subbed and hit the little alarm bell alert thing - least I can do in return. This was impossibly helpful buddy thank you!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much for reaching out and saying so! Glad it helped out!

[@grantmills4184]

What can I say, great video that answered all my questions👌

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@jaym4958]

Sean is just a groovy dude and a good player 😎🔥 teacher and a funny sense of humor

[@Fantastischevideos]

Can someone here help me with a question? I understand that in a C MINOR 6 chord, you flatten the third note. What I don't get is why you have to flatten the 7th note with a C MINOR 7 chord. Why do you have to flatten the 7th note in a C MINOR 7 and why don't you have to flatten the 6th note in a C MINOR 6. Love the video's bro

[@justinchambers3406]

@Doppelpunktdrei ich hab die gleiche Frage? Hast du etwas für eine Antwort?

[@mikewithey8450]

I agree with the others. very well done, I am a beginning student

[@frosenbhai]

what c/b, g/f, e/d kind of chords?

[@seandaniel23]

So those are called slash chords. The letter on the left is the main chord, and the letter on the right denotes the lowest note. So a C/G chord would be a c major chord with a g as the lowest note (the 3rd fret on the E string for example)

[@garyjford1981]

Makes total sense. I see other chords e.g. Augmented on the attached sheet - but... I have heard reference of a 'natural' chord e.g. C natural - anyone know what this is? Is it just a major chord!

[@seandaniel23]

Yeah i think what that means is just C major.

[@OneStepToday]

Plz make videos using piano visuals too its the most essential. Thanks