I Didn't Know Where CHORDS Came From Until I Knew THIS

Scales + Chords = Keys
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[@luisyvital]

How is it that in 15 minutes you’ve been able to help me understand something I haven’t for the last 15 years.. thank you for this amazing video!

[@R.Akerman-oz1tf]

I hope Ricky goes over the "inversions" too.

[@ksmyth999]

Mathematically there is an isomorphism between scales. So I find it useful as a starting point just to remember: TTSTTTS, where T means tone and S semitone. The way I remember this is to visualize the piano keyboard starting with the interval between C and D. The chord construction demonstrated in this video I learned as "piling on thirds". If you also add the 7th, you construct the standard 4 note jazz chords. Because the diatonic scale has semitones, you can create different modes. You just move the starting point for the different modes in that particular key scale. The circle of thirds is a good idea. This has a cycle of 7 as does the circle of fifths. The interval between the circle of thirds is two and between the circle of fifths 4. However, if you look a little closely at the circle of fifths, you realize it does not actually exist. If you use it to find keys with sharps, it breaks down when you get to the key of B since the key with 6 sharps is the key F#. It is actually a circle of eighths where you have to think in semitones. I don't know why they don't teach that, since it would be much more logical.

[@markE946]

I've identified a lot of fundamental flaws with music theory and infact a few with the Circle of 5ths, the music professor I wrote on KZbin didn't have an answer unfortunately...

[@gepmrk]

Chords are a secondary effect of single lines moving at the same time. In the 1200s through to the 17th century music was mostly church music and it was single lines that were sung. There were strict rules about how those lines were allowed to move together and those rules became known as counterpoint. The preoccupation with the identity via the analysis of chords is an after-the-fact phenomenon.

[@adipsous]

Isn't that sheet of paper aesthetically pleasing? A work of art. I'm going to make one for myself and put it on my wall.

[@paulasp1]

Me too

[@edgewatersbestguitarist1524]

I can remember figuring out the pattern of notes to an octave that a scale was, all by myself jumping up and down in my room : "that's why its called a diminished chord!! That's how it works!! Oh my god!!!" I'll never forget that epiphany. Thought I was a genius lol

[@aslamahmed2564]

Dear Ricky, you deserve a medal for explaining thing so brilliantly that I could go on watching and listening you endless hours. I love your english humour which appreciate very much. Besides that you know how to make people understood you. À bientôt.

[@ichydangle]

Who knew it could be the easy to learn with this right teacher.

[@edt9666]

40 years of learning guitar without lessons, this has been the BEST explanation I've ever seen. THANK YOU. Subscribed.

[@georgecarr68]

On the piano the easiest method to play 12 chords using base note, plus 4, plus 3. With right hand place thumb on a note (C for example to play C chord), then count 4 notes to get second note of chord (E), now count 3 notes to get third note (G). Now you can play 12 chords! Turn chords into minors by simply moving middle finger 1/2 step back, now you have 12 additional chords! You want 12 more chords? Same as base note plus 4, plus 3 just add another plus 3 to get your 7ths! Now you know how to play 36 chords, which gives you tons of songs to have fun with! 😁

[@mazeradeville2911]

This is probably the easiest way to learn theory. The perfect fifth interval is 7 semitones apart and 7 can be most evenly divided into 4+3 or 3+4. When the interval spacing is 4+3, the triad is major. When the interval spacing is 3+4, it is minor. For your 7th chords though, you want to think in terms of spacing from the 7th and 3rd rather than the 7th and 5th. If the spacing between the third and the 7th is a tritone (6 semitones), you get some type of dominant chord. In the case of a tritone being built off of a major 3rd (4+3+3 as you mentioned), you get a dominant 7th. In the case of a tritone being built off a minor 3rd (3+4+2), you get a minor 6th which is an inversion of a half diminished chord (3+3+4). When the interval between the 3rd and the 7th is a perfect fifth (7 semitones), you get a major 7th if it's built off a major 3rd (4+3+4) and a minor 7th if it's built off a minor 3rd (3+4+3). What's interesting is what happens when we shift these intervals further to the point that we are no longer sitting on a major or minor 3rd. For example, if we take the 3rd and 7th of a major 7th and raise it up one more semitone, we end up with a suspended 4 chord (5+2+5). If we take the 3rd and 7th of a minor chord and bring it down one semitone, we end up with a double suspended chord (2+3+2). This is, unfortunately, as far as we can take it since as soon as we move it one more semitone off center, we end up with a tritone and thus get another dominant type chord. If you can quickly identify your intervals, building chords is easy even if you may not know the names of all of them. Just look for the key intervals: tritones (6 semitones) and perfect fourths(5 semitones)/5ths (7 semitones). Chords without tritones are resting chords that your ear is satisfied with while chords with tritones are moving tones that want to resolve towards a resting chord. Keep that in mind and you can do pretty much anything you want.

[@skyharmer1251]

I can't believe how incredibly clearly you explained that. Thank you so so much.

[@1acudoc]

I knew this but somehow it’s much more clear now. Thanks Ricky😊

[@jasonlight8813]

I've had the book for a while but have only just started working through it. Ricky has allowed me to fall back in love with playing the guitar. I'm like a big kid again. Thanks Ricky, you're rocking awesone

[@pablop5937]

What a great teacher you are Ricky! You Rock!

[@juanenrike81]

This is the first well explained video I ever found! well done! and thanks for the great lesson!

[@stefanwoldekidan8880]

Wow! Just WOW! How easy and accessible you made music theory! It just said click in my head and I suddenly grasp the math and beauty in the relationships between the notes and chords.

[@Chimp_No_1]

Incredibly helpful ! Thanks !

[@shawshankBorat]

Fantastic video. Thank you for explaining every step patiently and clearly! I’m an absolute beginner and this is exactly what I was looking for.

[@joshsblee]

This guy has the BEST mnemonics... RIP Charles' father.

[@user-jx7tm9px2j]

Rick you are a genious teacher! Thank you for sharing these lessons. ❤

[@RonHicks]

Okay this is awesome. For some reason you're instruction by writing on paper increased my understanding. I've been playing the guitar off and on for 15 years and I'm so used to personal instruction and regular books. Since you were writing on paper and explaining at the same time I really focused and paid attention:)

[@robertmarbun]

You make it so easy to understand. Thank you

[@TaxPayingContributor]

Completely relatable. I spend seemingly too much time over pen and paper, than the keys or fretboard. Music is mathematical and can be visualized as well as heard. Thanks

[@mizellmusic]

Nice breakdown, really helps me understand

[@LilCrayzer]

Thank you so much Ricky! Your explanation is so tight and full of wisdom. was really nice to see another facette of musictheory!

[@serolrom]

Wow... so those are the 3rds and 5ths everybody talks about... today I'm feeling one of those "enlightenment moments", if you know what I mean. Today is the first day of an exciting rest of my life. Thank you!

[@davidrivera5829]

DEAR RICKY, YOU ARE JUST A JOY TO LISTEN TO MY FRIEND... GOD BLESS YOU FOR MAKING LESSONS SO FUN AND SIMPLISTIC... MY HATS OFF TO YOU SIR.

[@JohnDoe-fz7hz]

would be so helpful if someone had told me this at least 20 years earlier. Awesome explained. Suddenly its so easy to understand how it all fits together

[@baramekatrop]

The greatest explaination i ever seen. Simple & easy to remember. Thanks so much

[@henryjosephr2823]

A good explanation makes it easy to understand the formation of scales and scales chords. Good

[@nobbymorph]

Absolutely brilliant, thank you! 🎶

[@indrin12]

One of the best and easiest explanations I have seen. Thank you for sharing.

[@oldestries]

Good thing what you did & your method is the simplest & the easiest among all Ive seen. Awesome!

[@normitabasa8341]

Thank you! You are a very good teacher. You made it so easy to understand. Bless you❤

[@dannystewart9482]

Brilliant video ! Thanks.

[@meanpicker]

Great explanation! Thanks for sharing!

[@muhammadhafizh9757]

God bless you, Rick. Thank you so much!

[@emmanuelaolaiya]

Wow 🤩 thank you so much! Excellent explanation

[@helix0311]

I've been playing the bass guitar and learning music theory for years, and this was the most well-explained version I've seen of why chord structures are the way that they are and how this builds into chord progression and cadence in a song.

[@Pizzylicious]

This was amazing. I have reviewed all of this before but the maj, min, dim, aug just made sense enough to stick!

[@giglehart]

Excellent!! Easy to comprehend

[@simonminnican]

I'm home educating and trying to learn music theory to assist in teaching piano. I have to say that this explanation is the best I've found on KZbin for explaining chords and I thank you for it!

[@acorrive]

The best and most understandable explanation that I have seen so far on Utube. Thank you Rick.

[@MusicDive-ex7mi]

Stellar explanation, thank you very much for sharing!

[@jamespitstick8823]

This was a great explanation of chord building, Nashville Number System and a lot more. Great Job!

[@MusicManFernando]

Great lesson and excellent teacher, thanks.

[@anti-galacticbackingtracks4154]

I've taught this same material individually to thousands of students since 1979 - I like Ricky's approach, particularly the nemonic 'Every Good Band Deserves Fans And Cash' !

[@joecool5670]

Mindblowing, thank you so much

[@jennyricker1211]

Best explanation I have found! Thanks so much!

[@newgen85]

GREAT EXPLANATION!!

[@adam_a923]

I just learned my first lesson in music theory and my mind is blown at how much I've been missing out on. Immediately after studying your lesson and "methods of madness", I picked up my guitar and mapped out the notes (I play in open tunings and weird tunings) and I understood the notes and how to move between them. THANK YOU FOR THIS LESSON, I definitely subscribed!

[@kingtriplebbb5347]

Thanks for Sharing Sir.❤👍

[@jrsimeon02]

Thanks for sharing!

[@sheltermyat5419]

Thank you brother.

[@jjoaopedropais]

that was aweosome!!

[@_no_9671]

Perfect explanation, thank you

[@blipp8619]

Great explanation.

[@gstlynx]

Great presentation, clear, concise, logical etc..... Thanks.

[@kyivstuff]

I finished a music school and loved your explanation ❤

[@marcfoss7687]

This is priceless, thanks so much Ricky!

[@Rozalyn508]

Such a great video very helpful.

[@wingofafly]

I knew most of this already, but it's great to see it all explained comprehensively and concisely. I'd also forgotten that an augmented chord is two major thirds stacked.

[@thunderace4588]

Thank you Ricky.

[@girmaybass68]

This is the best basic explanation I have seen in many years!

[@maurikmalasllani5299]

Fantastic explanation 👏👏👏👏 thank you so much mate 🙏 very very helpful.

[@user-zx1ze4gv3x]

awesome !! best tutorial so far .

[@galegreyson4196]

Excellent instruction. This is an effective teacher.

[@bobloder]

I'm so glad that I found you! Cheers!!

[@kevinkago3492]

Great Teacher!

[@joseecouture2722]

I 've had that explained to me at least three times, but your explanation is by far the best, (even if it is in english!) merci

[@kokonahoko]

Great explanation. I love the way you explain music. Your textbook and your videos really go hand in hand for easier understanding and memorization. Thank you very much❤

[@dillipphunbar7924]

Very helpful Thankyou.

[@jenniferdowney6578]

Wow, this is brilliant. Trying to teach myself and this is SS helpful. Thank you.

[@Physicsnerd1]

Excellent tutorial.

[@jimvid5183]

Great explainer for anyone who wants to learn music theory.

[@liwenchang9061]

Your handwriting is beautiful 🎉

[@spindal_1]

Genius. Thanks so much!

[@Taylor-vz4ot]

i have tried to learn the guitar both independently and through teachers, i decided to try again and just as i was reaching the point of giving up i stumbled upon your channel and you have made the guitar a music theory make so much more sense than anyone i've come across so far. I'm actually retaining the information because of how you discuss and illustrate it, and my practicing has actually been productive rather than frustrating and reductive, so thank you very much

[@charlesarmstrong5292]

A most excellent lesson!! I am teaching my grandson and this is going to help enormously. Thank you!!

[@doc344]

Thanks! It was a pleasure to watch!

[@NFZ138]

That's a Proper lesson.

[@eduardois7003]

Great video! no words to say thank you, you were born to teach! gracias Maestro!

[@Renato2Guitar]

Great class!! Thanks a lot!!

[@jayg1438]

well that was easy. trying to learn to play piano and this was an incredible and thorough lesson that was easy to follow. Great job and thank you!

[@SuperGasolineAlley]

Already bought your book love it.

[@graphicartdude]

Thanks Ricky. This seems like a good approach for remembering these concepts. Another technique I've find useful for determining chords in a particular key is visualizing a moveable fretboard pattern. The problem I seem to have though, is applying learned theory and concepts on the fly (like when attempting to jam along with other musicians to an unfamiliar song). It's one thing to simply play a typical major, minor or pentatonic scale over simple chords, but what I can't comprehend is how so many guitarists are able to solo over a more complex song so easily. It seems as if you must possess the memory and mental quickness of a savant in order to tackle all of the various mental gymnastics. For example, determining which chords are played, the song's key, if there are any key changes or non-diatonic chords at play, remembering when those key changes and chord changes occur, what to solo over each chord (which mode, intervals or notes to focus on), etc; and all why playing freely and non analytically. How do you tackle all of these things simultaneously? I feel as if I don't and will never possess the mental quickness to play on the fly. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[@estacioraja]

Fantastic video. Thanks for sharing

[@Jaba25]

It is amazing tutorial … thank you so much for this videos!! Open my mind for this, I’m 47 years old and never couldn’t understand it very!!! Your video was nee word for me!!! Thank you again!!

[@rejeanbrousseau9298]

A brilliant explanation.

[@glennkarsten2450]

Great Lesson. This was something that my first guitar instructor taught me in 1977. He also had me waik it through all of the relative minors associated with each key. It changed my life! I have never understood why music theory courses don't start with this as it is a fundamental building block.

[@sarahnelmes6096]

Always looking for new ways to teach chord theory to my piano students ( who I teach to play the piano like a guitar!) This is great, thank you!

[@brrrrr256]

Thank you. This helped a lot.

[@RajasubramaniamBalakrishnan]

Awesome Mr Ricky... Subscribed.

[@mxyptlk]

Awesome...For the first time in god knows how long and in just ten mins of your video I understand something I never could get my head round... I am now a subscriber....Thank you...!!!

[@bennetjoseph1956]

Very good method 👍👍👍

[@ronglass5968]

EXCELLENT! Thanks. 👍

[@paulasp1]

Kudos!!! Brilliant 👏

[@ShineMedia1]

That was amazing . 😮 I don't understand exactly how to apply it yet but you broke it down beautifully. I'll be returning and it will all sink in soon. Beautifully laid out and explained, thanks 👍

[@natasa7474]

Love it ❤

[@andreasmartin8340]

Thanks😊

[@jed88]

The mnemonic Every Good Band Deserves Fans And Cash is excellent. Helps with sight reading.