5 Out-of-the-Ordinary Chord Progressions for Songwriters (easy to hard)

[@johnmalcolm9980]

If your writing sounds like you are in a rut, you might have a hit!

[@sirfultonbishop]

🤣👍

[@oscarallen8484]

you’re not wrong but it’s risky business - helps to explain why so many people go rapidly downhill after success

[@cactusjohn9145]

😂 anybody serious has to be snotted

[@Yahoomediaclub]

One very talented young lady sharing these. ❤ Thanks 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@ozmosyd]

Hmm...10 yrs for me a bit to long though ....🤣

[@marcsullivan7987]

The second progression IS in key: It’s D Mixolydian. All the chords are from the “parent key” of G major.

[@realrael3550]

smartass

[@marcsullivan7987]

@@airborn1015 all I was clarifying was all the chords are diatonic (because the video implied that the chords weren’t all in a key signature), all share the notes of “G major”, which are the same notes as D mixo I know that Amy knows this, but I commented bc I thought it could possibly confuse some viewers

[@marcsullivan7987]

@@airborn1015 our “disagreement” may be ultimately semantics/terminology, but I’m definitely not incorrect. I’ll clarify again. The three chords, D, Am7, G are not “in the key of D major” they all ARE in the key of G major. The Key Signature that would be written on sheet music for this would be G major (one sharp, f#), not the key of D major (two sharps, f#, c#) So, the parent key/key signature is G major. But if the tonic/1 chord is then D (which is the V of G) then it’s the fifth mode of G major, the mixolydian mode, D Mixolydian. Not “D major”, (bc D major has a C#, and the Am7 chord has a C natural). In the mixolydian mode, the V chord is minor. If one were to solo over that progression, one would use D mixolydian (enharmonically identical to G major). If one used “D major” it would really wrong on the Am7, because you would be playing the major third of the chord instead of the minor third that the chord has) A correct understanding of music theory IS useful, but not always necessary.

[@marcsullivan7987]

@@airborn1015 that progression is on D mixolydian. There was never an A major chord. The PARENT key is G major. The tonic is D. The progression is “In D” but it’s not “D major”. A “borrowed” chord comes from outside a diatonic key center, all three chords are IN the diatonic key center of D mixo/(G major). I’m not gonna explain it any more. I’m pretty knowledgeable about this shit. I studied it as a teenager in the 1980s, further studied in college, and taught guitar privately for 7 years (before becoming and English teacher). I’ve been a performing musician on the side for 35 years. I politely tried to clarify something (for general readers of the comments), but you persist in “correcting” me. I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m done responding. You win. Have a nice day.

[@johanjotun1647]

The Modal Monster bares its toothy grin

[@diegovillaverde8010]

I loved your “ forget about where this orange came from and focus on how much juice you can squeeze from it” approach ❤

[@htws]

😊 normally my line is, “you don’t need to grow the rice to cook it in 10 minutes”!

[@diegovillaverde8010]

In the end it’s all about food 😂

[@miguelcesaroliveira3448]

Great progressions for looping away calling melodies out of thin air, thanks!

[@Murdo2112]

One of my favourite out-of-the-ordinary chords is in Nick Drake's "Saturday Sun". It goes down a fairly straightforward, but very pleasant progression, with a nice descending bass, through C, G/B, Am, C/G and then throws in a gorgeous F#dim7 that never fails to make me go "oof!" He slips it in beautifully again later, in what I suppose you could call the chorus, going from F to F#dim7, which really piles on the tension, before easing into a lovely conclusion with C, A, Dm7, G, C. It's so good!

[@htws]

I'll check it out!

[@barrya.6212]

@@htws Your husband's a lucky guy...you have it all, just wanted to pass on.Also, thanks for sharing that Fm6 chord, wasn't even aware of that, just worked it into very melodic melody with Travis picking.

[@mendiapodaca]

Yeah. That's a great song, indeed. I know what you mean with THAT chord.

[@420Bassist]

Oh man Nick Drake is/was AMAZING. Didn't he tune his guitar to like Csus?

[@bearcountrypublishing5303]

F# and C are tritones to one another.

[@splukoes]

I love teachers like you. How to do it and just enough of why it works.

[@garymulter1571]

This is a fabulous demonstration and lesson. I hope you do more like this.

[@nicoCdandelion]

Just... Thank you! I happened across your video early this AM, and my guitar decided to write some music. Of late, it had gotten bored with me, and our time together had become routine. You brought sparks back to our relationship. Thank you!!

[@JeffMacArthur]

Nice changes! I think your 4th example is not likely to be analyzed by many people as starting on the vi-minor, though - you've got a V7-i movement from the last chord to the first, so C#m7 is really the i chord (especially given how common - by including the chord before it - a bVImaj7 V7 i progression is). Not as clear, but I'd also agree with another commenter that the 2nd progression is probably best looked at as V - ii7 - I - I. It could also be useful to describe why these changes work - for example, the 1st example is really all about the following note movement C -> D7 (keeps c in chord and moves the 5th of C - g - down to the 3rd of D7 - f#) then D7 -> F (keeps c in chord, keeps a in chord, and moves the 3rd of the D7 - f# - down to the root of F - f) then F -> Fm6 (keeps c in chord, keeps f in chord, moves 3rd of F - a - down to 3rd of Fm6 - ab) and then back around Fm6 -> C (keeps c in chord, moves 3rd of Fm6 - ab - down to 5th of C - g - AND moves root of Fm6 - f - down to 3rd of C - e). Very strong voice movement of g->f#->f->(->f)->e and, starting on D7, a->(->a)->ab->g (and then back down the g->f#->f->e). Anyway, thanks very much!

[@Tiffers963Hz]

Fab lesson. You're a great player and a great teacher. Blessings in abundance to you. 🙏🏽🌹

[@BobMcGowan-NotTheChairCircle]

My all-time favourite was just known as the Jazz Turnaround when I started in a band. It is (in C) C- A7 - D7- G7. I suppose that is a bit ordinary. by these standards, but it still gives me the chills when I hear it. It is the happiest of sounds. Love, light and peace, Bob McGowan (Not the Chair Circle!).

[@tombisbano]

The 2nd progression is actually in the key of G Major. It is a V-ii-I progression. It is a fairly common chord progression.

[@CharlesK441]

It's in D. See the G as the 4th of D. Am is the 2 of D. Could also use Am / D7 as a 2 5 1 to G. 😊

[@tombisbano]

Am is not the 2nd of D. Em is the 2nd of D.@@CharlesK441

[@mcmc5335]

Keppie, you are an excellent teacher and these are great chord progressions. I'll be re-watching, pausing and adding these to my chord vocabulary. Thank you!

[@scottstevens5481]

This is so brilliant!! Getting Diatonic theory under my belt was life changing for me… Your approach is perfect for opening new ways of thinking and “hearing” new song ideas! ❤️❤️❤️ Love this!!! Thank you 🙏🏻!!!

[@gage816]

Really like that transition from the diminished chord to the fourth major 7chord on that last progression.

[@TimmyRiordan]

Like that visual making the ii V smaller in relation to the rest of the progression to show it's outside the key. Very intuitive for me.

[@joebarker5719]

Exceptional! Your video got my 6-string sounding completely fresh and new! So easy to process and follow - you have a real gift for teaching. Thank you, Keppie!

[@shaolin1derpalm]

Why wouldn't chord prog 2 be in key G (1 2 5)

[@StratsRUs]

This channel deserves to go BIGGER than the huge ones !

[@PreferComposingtoDecomposing]

Thank you for your inspiring content. As a composition exercise, I tried writing a piece ("Less Travel'd") that incorporates all five of these exotic chord progressions. Quite an ethereal result!

[@fredfloyd68]

Wanted you to break down what jimi hendrix did on Third stone from the sun...He was really headed in a hreat direction..combining blues,rock n roll roll,jazz....flamenco...and just his learning buy playing live concerts... Hey you really know music theory...jam on.

[@damagedchromosome]

"Borrowed from where? It doesn't matter!" The best musical advice. Ever.

[@cs16331]

Is it? If you understand where she’s borrowing them from, you could do this in all 12 keys lol

[@airborn1015]

D7 is borrowed from G major F minor borrowed from the key of Ab

[@HieronymousCheese]

You could do that all day. Well I could listen to you do that all day. (And play along). Love your vids. Thank you.

[@ozmosyd]

OMG - 7mth old vid came into my feed at exactly the right time for me as I was geting really bored being "stuck" in key of C. Where have you been all my life? Thanks for sharing and getting me out of the "rut" Love ya work, I'm going to go thorough what else I have missed from you channel and needless to say I have sub'd -OneLove

[@hasanmir]

I loved the first and last chord progressions!

[@BorealBlue]

Your ability to teach is exceptional. Thank you.

[@Birkguitars]

Here are a couple of out of sequence changes that I like. Quite a few Eagles songs step from a major chord straight to the corresponding minor triad eg Desperado where there is a step from C major to C minor. Technically it might be a modulation but it sounds good. Another change I like is in When You're Gone. Most of it cycles around Dm F C and G but an occasional Bb appears almost as a turnaround.

[@suefauziyah]

This is my new favorite channel. I've been watching a bunch of your videos on lyric-writing and I'm learning so much. This video (the first I'm watching that's not about lyrics) is just as interesting and helpful as the others. I don't play guitar, but it's very clear how to transfer the chords to piano. Thank you for all this great content!

[@stevedmayor]

Chord Progression No 4 is actually used for the song "Sunny". I love it!

[@pedrobutelli8431]

"Tive Razão" by Seu Jorge, too

[@elizabeth23623]

Thank you so much for your content! It’s wonderful and it inspires me to have curiosity when making my own songs. Thank you!! ❤

[@wisnomjr]

Great lesson. Thank you 😊

[@MicroChipMonk]

Watched this a dozen times and it is rewiring my guitar brain....

[@za4310]

that first one has a d7 borrowed from C lydian and the Fm borrowed from C minor. Those are two of the most common keys to borrow from, one is a cycle of fifths key change and the other is the parallel minor.

[@airborn1015]

D7 is the dominant chord of G major and F minor is borrowed from the key of Ab C lydian is not classed as a key it's a mode.

[@za4310]

@@airborn1015 I understand. You could say, instead of C lydian, G major is the key. I think that makes sense too. In that sense you have a scale that's barely different. To say you're borrowing from C lydian as a key implies the keys C major and C lydian exist parallel to each other though, with the same tonic of C. But yeah I typically refer to whatever is ionian as the true tonic, but you gotta appreciate that if you're in C lydian, the C is not the IV anymore, it's the I chord and all the other chords have new roman numerals too.

[@youarenotaghost2589]

What a stupendous presentation! I was just thinking about putting together a progression that doesn't include the tonic, and here it is. I'm excited to explore the rest of your channel. Thank you!

[@terilamarco515]

Great! Would love to see more interesting progressions!

[@mahoney43211]

really appreciate this. Having a ball with these progressions.

[@greggrodzicki6146]

Absolutely loved this lesson and the theory thrown in behind it.

[@lmajorofficial8426]

Such a great theory lesson! Subscribed 🙂

[@francocasentieri932]

You are Intergalactic a Prophet of a kind...never knew the simplicity of the chords. I think I you

[@koho]

Just discovered this channel. Great information, tremendously well presented. Love it, and subbed!

[@sgrimm7346]

Good stuff...life long learner here, and there's always something to learn. Thank you.

[@Vectorbas]

You boost my passion to play again

[@IAmJNelle]

The second chord progression reminds me of HER “Best Part” 🙌🏽

[@landrafter]

savage stuff. youre amazing! Thanks.

[@scenesfromamemory118]

Beautiful vídeo. Thanks

[@robwebb9413]

I am so grateful for the content and genuinely helpful videos you produce. You do a great job of packing in a lot of information in your videos without it feeling overwhelming. Most of all, they are always practical. And for that, there will be a piece of you in a LOT of people's music. BAM 💥❤

[@robhamilton5057]

just found your channel, I've been playing a long time but feel stagnant, there are some lovely chord progressions here, i feel inspired

[@thcjamzcryptoonyoutubetv7062]

I sure appreciated you .. explaining the endless creations .. I'm caught in a rut .. wow the guitar is my therapy I've always been left out in this Right handed world 🌎 I'm Hendrix .. Haynes I miss Jimmy .... I have not explored these cord progressions ever .. thank you for opening up the door to my mind ... Never ending Love for Music I know I am not left out in this world on my right hand ... It's just that everything is backwards ... Lol 😂 It's time to study and connect all the dots ... thank you again 🎼🎶🎵 Troy from Canyon Lake Texas USA 🇺🇸

[@blockacademymusic7062]

Awesome Keppie! Its good to see you out here!

[@atzgoblastbotzo]

Beautiful progressions, advanced theory and clear explanations make this video really awesome ! A great lesson - for free! 😮 I love it !

[@andrewalvarez1480]

im so happy i found this channel

[@MarkPeotter]

#1 is used in "Forget You" C Lo. Middle of song.

[@chupacabra3331]

Great video! There’s always that rut where you know the basics of painting within the lines but don’t yet realize that there are no lines. It’s about what sounds right for the mood, melody or the words you are singing. I do believe Elliott Smith used something like this to great success with his chord progressions. It’s unclear whether he knew what he was doing or just used his ear but he mixed things up really well.

[@ronaldpapa8182]

Enjoyed this tutorial

[@darrenlee-ross4432]

Hi Keppie, this is a fantastic video. I bought both of your and your colleague's courses and they were THE BEST. Very inspirational. Thank you :)

[@johnmccarthy5245]

Very very cool. Informative. Fresh. Different. Thank you so much!!!

[@anikaparismusic]

brilliant love this!

[@ProgRockDan1]

Thank you I sometimes switch keys for the chorus but I have rarely gone outside the key within a verse. These are so helpful

[@h.markhorton8188]

Please do an analysis of how and why Brian Wilson’s “This Whole World” Works So Well.

[@miketayse]

Always nice to try new chord progressions, thanks! I'm going to go try them tonight.

[@johnnyblue1101]

Solid gold theory You GO girl!

[@tay590]

Awesome video! A really nice little modification/add-on for number 4 is to sub a C#maj7 in for the C#m7 every so often! Delightful little modal surprise.

[@MarkRhodesSongs]

Very useful lesson. Thanks. I love to run across ideas (progressions, in this case) that I hadn't used or thought of and seeing if I can turn them into songs (or parts of songs). I like your open, generous spirit. Just subscribed to your Patreon page.

[@aaalimat]

You are a 'Ghoul'!!! Thank you soooooo much!!!!

[@eearts]

That was awesome 😎

[@dougstewart6581]

this is great! i was looking for inspiration and here it was! that 2nd mixolydian one sparked something and a song is on its way! thank you!!!

[@lisaquam5537]

I love this video! Thank you for taking the time to make it!!!

[@jeancaraballo2522]

I like the way u teach

[@splukoes]

Brilliant

[@JeffMccombe-yd3tu]

Cocteau Twins did some beautiful and exotic melodies. Songs like Bluebell Knoll and Pink Orange Red.

[@stevyreno7913]

Best songwriting video ever!!!

[@Jay-H8ALL]

Some awesome chord shapes here. Thanks.

[@SillyMoustache]

Thank you Keppie, you are an inspiration!

[@robertwynkoop7112]

I am really enjoying your channel, such wonderful progressions! I will be recommending your stuff to our local songwriter group. I am sure it will be well received! Thank you, what you do matters.

[@chrismaghintay]

This is right at the level of theory I currently understand. So helpful!

[@leonadrian7257]

Me, fast forwarding past all the talking and just watching her play the progressions lol Great video. Downloaded the pdf. Liked vid. Ty.

[@DrGray-qh6ow]

Always a pleasure learning from you! Thank you

[@WEdHarris]

What a wonderful lesson! Thanks so much for this! Liked and Subbed!

[@childatheartmusic7089]

Thank you ❤

[@stephanofmunich711]

I realise you both are so great, I may never have a chance some day. Very bummed I missed jan 25 deadline. If I could get in somehow, would be my best birthday present ever. ( jan 28). All the love, Stephan

[@Snarkapotamus]

I've used #5 a few times...sounds really cool on a piano!

[@jarrodmurphy6037]

these are all going to become new songs of mine!!!! :) thankyou

[@barrieglenn8353]

You have a lovely voice

[@wakinginfinity]

Exaclty what I needed, thanks!

[@stuntdouble777]

This is great ❤

[@RKK108]

Amazing hints! Many thanks!

[@douglaschristine8387]

Hey, how you doing? I haven't seen you since your video on writing a song and its good to see you back. Your videos spark my interest. Thanks.

[@pferrer90]

Excellent video, thanks so much for sharing the knowledge... I am still learning after many years of playing. Many blessings to you

[@MarkPeotter]

#4 Reminds me of "Just the two of us" Bill Withers. Amaj7 , G#7 , C#m , Bm7 E9, Amaj7 , G#7 . C#m

[@RichieDadams]

Great! Cheers 👍🏻

[@Photography-Niseko]

Love your lessons - so inspirational! Thanks so much ; )

[@carminecupani2315]

You are excellent.

[@stevesobot5372]

loved the third one :) Thank you.

[@mannygotdahits6534]

awesome awesome awesome video!

[@pmicygie]

simply awesome :) many thanx, LOVE 2U

[@headkickko609]

Ohhh I'm stealing this 😘😘😘

[@fellipemuniz1762]

Second one, try also: D Am7 G Bb C D Both Bb and C being half of the tempo.

[@wdm5000]

Thanks!

[@JulianFernandez]

nice! first one reminded me of Jesus Jones´ Right Here Right Now... thanks!

[@onlysons]

Nice presentation.

[@oldmanzen6682]

This was fantastic. I’m not a songwriter, but I’m always looking for interesting chord progressions for loops. Subbed and will be digging through your back catalogue of videos now. Thanks!