Major and Minor Keys (Music Theory)

[@danielbartleson5746]

I wish my piano teacher taught me this instead of trying to drill sheet music into my head when I was younger. It is interesting how these different patterns make up music, and the way you explain it makes it click instantly with me.

[@ashleydekroon6472]

I totally agree with you! My music teacher taught me nothing about any of this stuff! These videos really help a lot.

[@lorimoore2394]

I took lessons from ages 4 - 16 and I NEVER learned any of this stuff. I just can't believe it. I'm now 28 years old and I'm so fascinated by how everything works. I don't know why my teachers never taught me. Maybe they didn't know it that well either..

[@annemcnally5]

Same here!! Dude I have to go back and learn this because I have been playing for almost 9 years yet I have to go back and learn basic musical theory because I want to write songs and l didn’t know what to do. I thought that it was just me. This dude is so helpful, right?

[@channelnamegoeshere4707]

yes, my music teacher only ever gave me sheet music and never explained any of what was going on or why the music worked!

[@channelnamegoeshere4707]

@@annemcnally5 yes!!

[@ryanprince2468]

This is probably one of the most helpful videos that I have ever found on KZbin. Seriously, great video!

[@MrNWDK]

100% agree, MASSIVE THX to Michael.

[@andrewdunnet4819]

Your lessons are a rare link between between music theory and the sound of real music.

[@MichaelNew]

That is high praise indeed. Thank you!

[@adamgartner5027]

I don't know if your interested in writing a book but it you did I'd buy it.

[@MichaelNew]

Hey it could happen. Good to know I'd have at least one customer :)

[@Kawaiiization]

+Michael New Is there a book you'd recommend? For a complete newbie starting in Violin too! :)

[@saaz3616]

+Adam Gartner Well Said Man.. Michael New You Are A Amazing Teacher :)

[@appaguy]

+Michael New *two customers

[@Skyefaux]

if you have one proclaimed that means you've got many more

[@jakedryberg1415]

Your simple teaching method is so easy to understand. So glad to have stumbled across your channel!

[@breknoahxx]

so true, thanks heaps mich

[@moonizone1749]

Not rly

[@landonlove4101]

@@moonizone1749 ok kid

[@ijuskann]

I've been learning piano with another KZbin playlist, but this video of yours really was the "glue" to bridge together a bunch of concepts I didn't quite understand [the reasoning behind why things are the way they are]. Now things make sense when I play. Thank you!! I look forward to your other videos.

[@ijuskann]

Lypur! He's a good guy, and talented.

[@MichaelNew]

I know a lot of people think this way, but I really don't recommend it. I teach them as two different things because they really are fundamentally different. Even though a relative major/minor key pair shares the same notes, they have a different root, and every single note plays a completely different role. Playing the note B in C major has a completely different effect than playing it in A minor, and if you try to think of them as the same thing then you won't understand the difference at all.

[@phillipadams8881]

Michael, I am trying to learn the ukulele.They started talking about major and minor and I was totally lost. I googled and started trying to figure out what the heck they were talking about. Yours was the 4th hit that I tried...but it was the first one that made any sense to me. Thanks for this excellent tutorial. It is greatly appreciated.

[@pm71241]

If we disregard non-western microtonal music, then there's a reason why you have these 12 notes and why a scale consists of a subset of those (like 7 or five). The harmonies don't just come out of thin air. The octave is actually a doubling of frequency, making it sound "the same" as other notes in the octave. (1:2) The same way, the fractional relationship between primary notes and thirds and fifths are nice fractions of each other. Fifths are 3:2 , fourths are 4:3 and major thirds are 5:4. One whole step is 9:8. All this fits nicely together since the fact that 9/8 to the power of 6 is roughly 2 means that there's room for 6 whole steps within an octave. ... and to make the scale include the nice sounding fifth interval you need some half steps in there. So ... western music isn't just pulled out of thin air... it actually makes sense in terms of physics and mathematics. Of course... you cannot define 12 notes which preserve these properties for all keys. So several compromises (temperaments) have been made so a piano would be tuned usable in all keys and not only in one.

[@TraceCalvinMusic]

I was waiting for the Illuminati Confirmed through the whole post, but it never came... :(

[@pm71241]

Sad day if you can't see the difference between illuminati and physics.

[@TraceCalvinMusic]

Sad day when this is the joke . . . . . . . . and this is your head

[@MichaelNew]

I definitely recommend using the numbers. Vocalists tend to use the "do re mi" system, but that's mostly to make it more singable. When you're trying to analyze or compose it's much easier to think "the third of a chord" rather than "the mi of a chord".

[@MichaelNew]

Hey, thank you :) I tend to write in minor keys more often than not, and I'm definitely planning on spending some quality time explaining them. I'm working on a little series about rhythm right now, but I'm probably going to dive into that soon after.

[@Denise-ij4ss]

So easy to follow your teaching. You don't waffle on. You don't rush through it. You explain things very slowly and clearly. Thankyou!

[@rgarciaprl]

The best thing about the way you teach is how you can really keep it easy to understand for those who are just beginners. Thanks a lot. And it goes to show that you're not selfish to share what you know even if it's for free. We really appreciate it.

[@baldeepak]

I just started watching your videos..I couldnt stop....I watched videos continuously almost all night...Simply Inspiring...

[@MichaelNew]

Well, that's something I plan on getting into a little later, since it's a little bit complicated. But to start, keeping the two melodies in the same key will help. When you start mixing melodies you have to start thinking about harmony, and understanding chords will help with that.

[@tresgazzy]

Don't often comment on videos on KZbin but just thought I would have to show my appreciation, I've been having piano lessons since a young age but never really cared for them. I could still read music and could play some above average pieces I would say but never really knew anything about the theory and wish I had bothered more when I was younger but your videos are great! Great explanations and I'm glad you don't stop halfway to just show off and stuff like that. Best tutorials on the web!

[@joemol]

Michael you are a gem! I am an old beginner with a new clarinet and I have been wading through reams of BS about chords, 3rd degrees, enharmonics, circles of 5ths, sad and happy music et cetera to try to figure out what the key signatures mean. "Nulla per me" until I watched your video. How simple can it be: [major 3x1,4x1], [minor 2x1,3x1,2x1]. Solved! On rereading the other material it's now clear that this is what they were all saying only nowhere near as clearly as you. Thank you! ( I know it's not BS. It's music theory. And it's important and beautiful and I will get to it shortly, but right now I just want to blow notes and hopefully make music. Thanks again.)

[@Mkglert]

This is great. You finally explained something I've been trying to get a straight answer to for months: WHY THE CONCEPT OF KEYS EVEN EXISTS IN THE FIRST PLACE. As a beginner, this isn't entirely obvious. Thank you!

[@nsuperdude1]

I'm a bass guitar player and I've been looking around for this kind of video for the bass, just know, you've help me to understand keys more than before

[@johnwood4707]

This is the first time I have understood these things rather than learning them parrot fashion. So grateful for that it's like a new world of music is about to open up for me.

[@davidkempmail]

I got a keyboard three days ago and already I can play major chords and now 'get' what folk mean by in the key of...seriously good work in your videos. I look forward to dropping in on more of them as I hopefully progress :)

[@ivantapia6794]

Have you progressed

[@vOddy75]

I hope that you're still enjoying the keyboard, mate

[@hopesonmakokha5217]

I hope you're using weighted keys

[@seanryan1337]

I hope you sound like Chopin now

[@entzijams]

I've been dabbling lightly in music theory for a few years and each of your videos has taught me something new. My understanding of how scales and chords work is so much better now. Thank you!

[@steveg9302]

Thanks Michael... you are the *key* for me understanding this :P

[@rodyr.dlyricsdouglas2480]

Still Amazing in 2022

[@MichaelNew]

You're right, the pentatonic scale is a five note scale. I showed the major and minor keys, and a scale is just using those notes in a linear way, like you would do when writing a melody. The major key notes would be a major scale, and the minor key notes would be a minor scale. I'll do a video that goes into more depth on that subject soon.

[@MichaelNew]

Even though notes are part of the same scale, they don't always harmonize well together. I explained it a little bit in the third part of my "how to write music" videos, so that might help a little.

[@rawthchild9815]

Dude, you just taught me in 10 mins what i have been trying to figure out thru 4 piano lessons and a lifetime of fooling with a guitar. excellent video, explained in a very easy to understand, visually assisted, succinct manner, well done.

[@rawthchild9815]

thank you by the way.

[@RetroSpectr3]

You have the best most comprehensive theory videos on youtube. So grateful, don't stop making them.

[@simblaroshplays8]

Great job explaining this stuff.... I find that most people on youtube try to show you things based on the premise that you are already an expert....Your videos are much easier to follow and pick up on..... Thanks

[@cindyaldridge1849]

This was the best explanation of forming key scales I've ever heard. After trying to learn how to do this forever (I'm embarrassed to admit how long) it finally makes sense to me. I wish I had found your videos a long time ago.

[@MichaelNew]

Yeah, I haven't coveted that yet because I've been trying to stay away from written music. The (extremely) short version is that you can use the key signature to narrow it down between one major and one minor key, but you have to look at what's going on in the music to decide between the two.

[@MichaelNew]

I can certainly try. When you're playing these songs, are there chords written for you to play, and you're not sure how to play them, or are you trying to invent chords to go underneath the melody?

[@MadmanMoon]

I'm a drummer trying to get better at understanding this kind of stuff and it was really helpful. Thank you.

[@rdru2ner82]

Just wanted to say thank you, I learned how to play my keyboard much better after watching your helpful videos. Keep up the great work!

[@demingma2004]

This is the 4th lesson in this series of videos I've watched. I think they are excellent and clearly presented. Makes things very simple and easy for a novice like me. Thanks Michael.

[@MichaelNew]

Honestly it depends on what you're trying to do. If you're working on sight reading or playing in general than numbering the notes might not be very helpful. But when you're working with theory concepts (like recognizing what the dominant chord is in a key, or where you're leading tone is, etc), then it can make things a lot easier to understand. Of course, that's just my opinion too.

[@rskura]

Thank you! You have a real talent for teaching. You have helped me so much!

[@ChubakaSteven]

This is hands-down the best explanation of music theory I have ever seen. You literally just demystified the whole topic for me. Thumbs up & subscribed

[@SupernovaOneFourOne]

Coming from someone who knows almost nothing about music theory: you make these concepts very easy to understand! Thank you!

[@diannerspells9127]

hi my name is james, i have learn so much watching you explianing music theory and how to put chords together from all the scales,and i thank you so much and God Bless in all you do.

[@TequilaRileyShow]

This was so incredibly helpful! I took guitar lessons as a kid and could never grasp the concept of keys. I think it's easier to visualize on a piano but you also explained it so well. Thank you!

[@Crabmaster]

I have to say, as someone who was struggling to find a good set of music theory tutorials, you certainly have the most clear and easy to follow ones I have found! Thanks for making these, they have certainly been a big help these last few days!

[@FireBlade132]

I watched 3 other videos before this one to find out the difference between major and minor keys. I fell asleep during all of them. Your video explains it perfectly. Very well done and thanks a million.

[@KntckyFriedChkn]

HOLY CRAP This was so helpful. I've been producing for a few years, and often I either just kinda hoped notes would sound good, and adjust accordingly, basically like anyone would, but this honestly helps so much in understanding WHY those sound good together, and blends really well, with the understanding I DID have already of harmonics and such

[@thewindrises]

Oh man, thanks, I don't have music theory knowledge and I hear major/minor all the time, this is the first time I actually get it. Keep up the good work, demonstrations are really helpful.

[@flavioforconi2725]

MIchael, this is the best video ever done about keys, scales and how actually these work in the piano. Finally some great explanation! You saved me!

[@LavalampjonesJr]

10 years later and this video is still blowing peoples minds and teaching them theory! Thank you so much for the knowledge!

[@passage2enBleu]

Great explanation of what playing in a key is. Also, the way you showed the notes in groups for the major and minor scales will help visualisation. Excellent video.

[@diannejeffrey9265]

Michael I think you are absolutely wonderful. I started to learn the piano four years ago and am a complete addict. Now, in my seventieth year, I have at last discovered you and your brilliant way of explaining and making things seem so easy. Cant stop watching. Is there a book or document to go with the videos so we can look up things we have forgotten? THANK YOU Michael

[@geneellison5881]

Thanks Michael - your teaching style works very well for me. You are helping me to blend "seeing" chords & keys in a way that is helping me fit things together!

[@channelxnews]

Just want to say thanks man. I have been going through all your tutorial videos and they are all really clear and concise and you really help elucidate the concepts better than any other source I've found. Thanks again. Keep up the good work

[@MrMiguelForster]

10 minutes and i've learnt more than countless hours googling, its just so straight forward like this.

[@A96000]

So in-short. Major: Whole Whole Half Whole Whole Whole Half Minor: Whole Half Whole Whole Half Whole Whole

[@SoMadCoffee]

Aman SA Like... Major: 3-4 Minor: 2-3-2

[@MrGoodlife23]

All you really have to remember is the C-major scale (all whites on piano) and A-minor scale (also all whites), and copy that pattern to other major/minor scales. If there's a black key in between, it's a whole step, if there isn't, it's a half step.

[@Simpleton_X]

Yes! I wish more resources would feature these formulas/patterns prominently. They're usually there when you look deeper, but when you are just starting out and lazily dipping your toes, the keys and their chords are seemingly random and can turn you off.

[@jusa798]

actually thank you

[@BadriNathJK]

I say it like this: 2 1/2 and 3 1/2. For minor, 1 1/2, 2 1/2 and 2

[@Hustlah-]

thanks a lot man your channel is a freaking gold mine for any newbie..while im waiting for my first instrument to arrive im learning theory for the first time and ive seen chords in like 3 or 4 other videos but you my friend printed stuff in my mind and the way you explain stuff is so much easier to take it and write it in notes so that i can revisit it later.Im gonna learn all my theory from you!!again thanks a lot for your efforts at helping us begginers get a grip of this chaos!!!

[@DJ9DKM]

you have no idea how much this video will help , thank you very much for taking your time to do these videos

[@WordsofLifeCC]

Keep up the great tutorials Mr. Michael. By far, you're the teacher that's made it simple enough to grasp and apply instead of trying to remember chords, etc. Great teaching and awesome video... keep em' coming!

[@MichaelNew]

I definitely didn't mean to make it seem like major and minor scales are the only valid tonal arrangement. I've listened to 12 tone music, serialism, atonal music, etc, and I'm not a huge fan but there's plenty that I do like. I think the major and minor keys are a good starting point for tonal music. Of course you can play modally, or play without a keycenter altogether, but typically when you describe music as being "in a key", it falls into the major or minor key categories.

[@Francinestube]

I have watched so many videos on chords and read up on it. I thought I would never get it. In a few seconds you explained it. A chord is a group of notes that sound good together. There are 12 notes but each chord has 7. Ta-da! Thank you!

[@SikoraTim]

Thank you, this is exactly what I've been looking for. People have tried to explain it to me but it didn't make sense without having a music background. It never made sense before, now I'm going to watch the rest of your videos. Good job, I especially like the format, a small screen to see you talk, the bigger one showing the keyboard.

[@TheRagnarok5000]

Nice video man. I like the way you explain the patterns differently than most videos. Not everyone learns the same way and you explain it in a way visual thinking people can grasp. I always like when I find a video that has different spin on the learning end.

[@RuthDyson]

I love the simplicity of your teaching! It has really simplified things in my understanding. My understanding of chords has increased tremendously. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!!!

[@SilentJayMusic]

Dope! I was looking for the correct way to follow certain chords and you explained perfectly!

[@sholadipeolu]

you have by far the best music theory tutorials i seen. Looking forward to seeing more posts

[@AugustoGuerrero__Main__]

Man, these videos are incredible. I cannot express how useful, fun, and practical those are to me. You're unlocking mysteries to me about music theory that in the past could have ever understood. This is amazing really!! thank you very much for your work and for upload it here.

[@DjNvs]

Great videos.. I took piano lessons for 1 year when i was 11, and now 22 years later, you are explaining it way better than my piano teacher ever did haha

[@damnbino]

you're like a young Bob Ross of piano

[@yourgod2425]

Tamir Karssli don't use the lords name in vain

[@realmczappa]

Your God lmao

[@tempebill8183]

.."happy little keys"

[@kennywu2k10]

Great videos, I would definitely look into getting paid to teach this. I am taking piano lessons for the first time and after my first lesson I came back to your videos and realized I was wasting money. Your videos are well-structured and easy to follow, some lesson-givers could stand to learn something from you.

[@bh4256]

You are amazing. I'm finally seeing the patterns - both physically and mathematically that I've been trying to figure out for ages. Thanks so much for doing this. Seriously. You've got the gift!

[@joshuagibson423]

I am using what I learn here to produce new music with FL studio. your videos are so easy to follow and everything you say makes perfect sense.

[@martinijazz9]

I like what you mention at 8 minutes in -- it's good to always remember the goal of music is to make coherent compositions that make somebody feel some sort of way. Everything should produce an effect.

[@WillieParsee]

Mike, I love the way you teach. If I had had someone like you covering the basics I would be a lot further along. When people teach they tend to teach skills instead of teaching a skill and demonstrating how it relates to the music.. Anyway I wanted to tell you that I enjoy your videos immensely and even when I thought I already knew something you put another spin on it and made me see it differently.Will you spend more time on minor keys? I am interested in understanding jazz and how that works

[@LemmeTryThat]

Thanks so much for taking your time to put some quality music lessons together for us. It has helped more than you will know!!

[@RetroSpectr3]

I do the same by the way, and I study them. Your videos make learning this so much easier than any other videos I've seen

[@MichaelNew]

Great idea. I'll put that on the list. There's still a few things I'd like to cover before getting to that point, but I'll try to do something like that soon after.

[@papahicks3530]

great approach to teaching this wonderful form of communication.😀

[@gilbertogomez4509]

Wow! Best explanation of Keys I've seen on youtube. Thanks for explaining it in such a simple, yet, detailed way; to put into practice. Impressive too, you can capture it all in one take. Your subscribers appreciate your hard work!

[@ikennaegbo6253]

I've searched all of KZbin and this was the only video that I found helpful. Thanks a ton

[@DasMenon9]

I am so new to this. I really appreciate the simplicity!

[@desertnerd]

Best description I've ever heard regarding keys.

[@Adaleste]

Thank you for the lesson! You have a gift for teaching abstract concepts in a way that makes them into a tangible utility for ones such as myself. I cannot wait for more videos! The more I know, the more I want to know.

[@qpdemarco1971]

You are an awesome teacher. Thank you for another great video.

[@alexpaseur4643]

My mentor recommended your circle of fifths video to me; since then ive found every one of your videos helpful! THANK YOU

[@DarrylDomani]

Wonderful video. 10 years of piano lessons some 40 years ago and I finally understand some theory. Thanks. Keep it up.

[@captainclipy6236]

I was taking lessons before corona hit and watching these videos helped me understand the stuff I was being taught so much easier!

[@m.walden9413]

You are a great instructor. I have all your videos in order and just started going through them again. Keep up the good work.

[@MichaelNew]

Do you mean when I play actual songs, or during these lesson videos? The pattern you said is a spot-on major scale pattern, but there are plenty of times during an actual piece of music that the song will break that pattern for different reasons. If you can think of something specific I can probably give you a more satisfying answer.

[@lewissutherlin9132]

Mr. New, you are truly gifted. Thank you very much for making your expertise available to us.

[@giovanniborgo489]

Your channel is one of the most helpful I have come across in KZbin. Thank you very much Mr. New!

[@Robstar0]

Me too, and then it's time to practice and practice some more. All this in my quest to find the logic behind piano playing. I have good hopes! You're doing a great job Michael, and I've only seen two video's so far!

[@hopesonmakokha5217]

It feels amazing to finally grasp this, took me awhile. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@djluc9845]

Music theory never changes. Thanks for an enjoyable, easy to understand presentation which will always remain relevant and pertinent.

[@jamesrossmusic6013]

Explanation well done...I like it... "If you try and take all 12 notes and make a song out of it, it would sound chaotic" ...makes good sense... Thank You Sir!!!!

[@sarahglln30]

You are a talented teacher. Great videos with explanations that are clear and easy to follow. I learned Piano 30 years ago as a child and gave it up. These vids are great for brushing up on what I have forgotten

[@jareddempsey6570]

Thanks a lot Michael, I am re-learning the theory I lost since high school and I really appreciate the time spent on these videos!

[@Brothington]

Very good. I've bitten the bullet and although I've written and played guitar for many years, have never taken time to learn the difference. I like how you've grouped the notes too. It makes it easier to remember 3,4 and 2,3,2. Thank You Michael!

[@EklectiKOfficialEDM]

I have grasped some very advanced theory concepts, but my fundamentals are spotty at best. Have only watched a few of your videos and the puzzle pieces are falling into place really really quickly. Thanks so much dude! Heard about you from ADSR, props.

You are probably one of the best explainers I've ever heard.

[@RHCP302]

Ok so I understand the different keys I'm just not sure how to look at a piece of music and determine which key it's in and whether it's minor or major. You should make a video on that! You're videos are great by the way, this is really going to help me as I want to major in music education

[@stephaniekay5697]

you really explain the theory very well ! I've been playing the piano since I was 6, but I'm only good at reading notes, never really learned how a song is built! so thank you so much !!! :D

[@gh8735]

I create electronic music, and this helped me so much. Thank you.

[@jakedryberg1415]

Me too... helping me understand theory which I never took the time to learn

[@gh8735]

Jake Dryberg Yeah they're really helpful! He's a great teacher and I love the way he teaches.