Music Theory - Chromatic Mediants in 7 Minutes!

[@chonkypixel1006]

"Is G# in the scale of C Major?" Finally! A music theory question I can answer! :D

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Hard questions first!

[@chonkypixel1006]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation Somebody needs to ask the hard questions.

[@jensjensen4038]

But is A flat in the key of C major? XD

[@titaan814]

@@jensjensen4038 I believe it isn't, though I can never be sure

[@kjellbeats]

@@jensjensen4038 how about C flat? ;)

[@Nicoladen1]

You're seriously one of the most brilliant people. Not only do you teach extraordinarily well, but you have the brightest personality. We need more people like you! 👏🏻

[@mrchain.6289]

Here, here!

[@wizard77781]

God I wish I had him as a theory teacher what a god

[@andytree9696]

FYI, another similar music theory channel is Implied Music.

[@peterpike]

My favorite use of the Chromatic Mediant is actually for modulation, since my favorite way to modulate is to pick up the entire piece and drop it back in transposed up a minor third. I "came up with" the technique by accident solely because of the mathematical properties it has. Basically, I was doing a song and wanted to cycle through modulations until I returned to the original key. I was going to do it by modulating up by 4 semitones three times, but decided to try modulating just three semitones instead (which would give me four modulations before returning to the original key). Happily, I discovered it sounded amazing to do that. Before that trick, I would often modulate to the five chord via the "five of five" technique (so to modulate from C to G, you throw in a D major first sort of thing), but modulating up a minor third didn't require any setup of the dominant or to throw in a leading tone, etc. I loved it because you could play something 100% diatonic and then instantly modulate on a repeat and it adds a burst of energy to it with a sort of surprise modulation out of the blue.

[@sophiafake-virus2456]

I'm new to music theory, and your idea sounds interesting. I think your explanation was clear (well done!). Just to be sure I am following you, would you mind explaining further, by coming up with a 4 chord progression, and then tell me what the chords would be, after you transposed them. Please.

[@jgoogle4256]

Can you please explain how you are able to instantly modulate to the minor third? If you’re going from C major to Eb major I would think you would in fact need some bridging chord. Or you could use the diminished chord with dominant function which is the same in both c major and Eb major if that’s what you’re referring to.

[@MrRelax3737]

Guy......YOU are an excellent teacher and wonderful composer. Thank you for all of the help! Doug G in LV

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

thank you

[@malluxmusic]

Right, I'm having a composing sesh later this evening, I will deliberately lob in a couple of chromatic mediants in your honour.

[@LindaMissad]

I learned this in college when I got my music degree --- but somehow hearing you describe it, it makes more sense -- I hadn't thought about using the minor versions of the chromatic mediants....very cool -- as always -- thanks again, Guy

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

You're welcome Linda!

[@foresterisen2478]

The first I ever heard of this was in music school studying 16th century counterpoint and the cross-relations used by Carlo Gesualdo (d. 1613). He used chromatic mediants frequently and occasionally wildly. Such techniques were not used again until the late 19th century.

[@bonuebonue]

Dear Guy, I wrote it many times, but I need to wrote one time again: you are the most inspirational channel about music, learning and sensing it in the right way, good feelings, positivity, humor and many more things, on KZbin and all the rest!!! Thank you immensely for your contribution to the beauty of this world, Stay safe, and again (did I say it jet?...): THANK YOU!! Christian R.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

YOu are very welcome thank you

[@JC-lb2mg]

de al motte once wrote: Mediants in Cmaj 1. degree. 2 common tones > Eminor > Aminor 2. degree 1 common tone > Emmas > Eb maj > Amman > Ab maj 3. degree. no common tone > Ab minor > Eb minor which shows the relation between the chords and makes using and composing eioth them a bit more logical...

[@35milesoflead]

You missed one. The Ab#5.

[@baconfirre]

Please keep doing these. The format is so easy to absorb and the knowledge sticks!

[@iamKASETA]

Thank you, that is very useful indeed! Really would like to see more of these short videos on advanced music theory topics

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

OK!

[@alontrigger]

Excellent explanation, thanks, Guy!

[@dobaredobare7387]

Really awesome tutorial. First time hearing such a clear explanation of chromatic mediants.❤

[@rabadash_smabadash]

My favorite quote: "All this sounds vaguely sort of fantasy-esque, doesn't it. Yes, there's a good reason for that..." [me, expecting a detailed explanation] "...that's how it works." Thanks for the vid, Guy. It's a great, condensed reminder for those of us who have gotten a little fuzzy with their theory.

[@cuteasxtreme]

Lord of the rings soundtrack by Howard Shore as well as other things I’m sure

[@daleturner]

Interesting! I have always categorized (relative to a "C" tonic) Eb major (bIII) and Ab major (bVI) as being from the parallel minor (C minor), or "modal interchange." And E major (III) or A major (VI) as being "stripped-down" triadic versions of E7 or A7--functioning or non-functioning secondary dominants (V7 of vi and V7 of ii, whether or not they "resolved"), respectively. Leaving only Ebm (biii) and Abm (bvi) as "chromatic mediants" (those specific two being the super common eerie/spooky "film score" moves--especially in a minor key). But I see what you mean, a third on either side of the tonic, being some form of "mediant,"and if it has an illegal note, "chromatic." Thanks for covering this badass topic! LOADS of these (biii and bvi) in Thomas Newman's amazing SKYFALL score, btw!!

[@Rockhopper1]

Chromatic Mediant I got a cream for that, it cleared up in a few days.

[@johnb6723]

Lol.

[@ncmartinez_his]

You stole my home! Ha!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Ha ha ha....

[@martifingers]

Recovery is often hastened if you are prescribed a tonic. I'll get my coat...

[@Rockhopper1]

@@martifingers no sugar in mine yes I prefer a diettonic

[@xshayahyawzi3666]

Thank you so much for this stuff. It is otherwise a difficult topic to get through, I wasted two hours on it prior to finding your video

[@TheClassicalSauce]

You're a great teacher, Guy. Thank you for the great videos! Love you buddy!

[@lukeomalley]

fantastic explanation. Thank you!

[@stevebell6034]

I think of The Doors "Light My Fire" which has the Am to F#m use of the Chromatic Mediant, which creates the "moody" feeling. Thanks Guy for the lesson!

[@oibruv3889]

The reason as far as i know for 6 being known as submediant is because the mediant is mediating the Tonic and Dominant, the submediant mediates the Subdominant to Tonic, hence inheriting the sub prefix

[@Blondesax]

Really, the fact that this has a name although it’s just part of a much larger pie (mode mixture) seems a little silly to me, but whatever it takes to break it down into digestible bits. Thanks as always for the lesson!

[@matthenley34]

Finally, someone who can actually explain in detail, and a way I can actually understand. subscribed just because of that. ha-ha. been watching guitarists try and explain this to me and it was..... irritating to say the least. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK MAN. it's appreciated more than you know,

[@awilk07]

I always confused the mediant and sub mediant and it never made sense why they were called those. Now after 30+ years of piano it makes sense!

[@KorbinMaze]

Watched the first ten seconds and immediately liked and subbed! Love it :)

[@frankelda9403]

Never heard about that before but it is a nice addition to the tools we can use to make music, thanks for this brilliant video! 🙏

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

It works great

[@aevanelstprojects8926]

Very clear explanation! Thank you!

[@SecondTierSound]

in Sweden we call the Mediant, the "Dominant Parallel". The logic behind it is the same as relative minors/majors. And the 2nd chord (for example Dm in C) is called a SubDominant Parallel. Because we are complicated... :) Personally I prefer the numbers (roman numerals), like how they do it in the states.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

If it sounds good it is good....even in Sweden :)

[@SecondTierSound]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation that's true :)

[@mikegeld1280]

I kinda think u jumbled this a bit mate ,I followed it though, and now I know why the 6 is sub mediant ,bravo ty

[@tobstobs950]

Gotta love how excited this guy sounds when talking about his stuff 👍

[@gkgyver]

When you look at famous film music like Howard Shore's Farewell To Lorien for example, it's about 80% chord progressions in thirds.

[@Chxrlotte]

This was SO useful, thank you!

[@paulmitchell5349]

Thankyou for the jaunty ''can do'' style.

[@counterpoint1014]

Hi Guy! I really like when you cover music theory topics such as this one, short and sweet. I feel many who cover these topics do so with much verbiage, so much that's it's easy to get lost. As a person who's well-trained in theory, I haven't forgotten that many are not well-trained. This is a good presentation to dispense information on chromatic mediants in just a few minutes. It also happens to be one of my favorite ways to harmonically explore a melodic theme.

[@MrJammer]

2:58 Doggo!!

[@RichardWatson]

Jeez... thank the lord (so to speak). I can't tell you what a relief it is finding your channel, Guy. I've been considering the most concise way to explain the harmony of Kurt Cobain's songwriting to students and, after endless Reddit threads and music theory forums teeming with academics furiously trying to out-intellectualise each other in ever more ridiculous ways, I've finally stumbled across someone who actually has the intent of transferring his knowledge to others in a concise fashion. I love how you distilled this down to it's simplest form so eloquently - thank you!

[@Kacey_Jaymes]

I just have to say that you are, by far, one of my most favorite people o come watch for musical instruction and guidance. I am nearly 100% self-taught and have thus far managed to learn a great deal of music theory and even produce several instrumental tracks on the various major platforms. I play most instruments well enough, especially if I program them to my midi pads via my DAW (LOL) but lately have been working on developing my piano and notation skills. ...Any time I come across a concept that I struggle to grasp, I generally look to see if you have provided a lesson or video on it, as my very first step. Thank you you, for both your very obvious passion for the subject on which you speak, but also for simply being willing to share what you know. Too often, it seems as if knowledge is hoarded. Later days. ♥

[@anubhajain8419]

Thanks for sharing your precious knowledge with us ... Respect from india 🙏

[@abelgeorge4953]

Thanks so much guy... Time to go make a tune

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Go for it

[@dunar6772]

Thank you very much for your tut. I also liked very much your dog passing in your garden (min 3).

[@kimseniorb]

mote of this kind of stuff is what youtube needs

[@johnmac8084]

Great explanation, no messing. Liked & subbed, thanks

[@LikeItDeep]

Clear explanation. Thanks.

[@Enelkay.]

man, your content is very enjoyable

[@BILLY-px3hw]

Hey Guy Thanks!!! Now all I have to do is try to make them sound good on guitar, it is so alien sounding trying to sneak these chords into a progression. I just will them into place until they start to make sense, it is literally like trying to learn a new language. I still have a very thick C major accent

[@remco2777]

Brilliantly explained, I think I can now actually remember it! Thank you 🙏

[@synthesizersspaceships9394]

Exactly the lesson I needed today as I work on this game score. Thanks Guy!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Glad to help

[@owens4534]

awesome lesson, thank you.

[@DEADLINETV]

I like how you explained this, very clear! But still, I would love to have seen more implementations of this. Maybe even examples from famous pieces. I have that same issue with modes. I get what they are but don't know how to implement them...

[@RolfSchild]

Thanks so much Guy. I like the way you throw in some theory stuff to chew on a while without intimidating the people.

[@WrestleTheDecibel]

Brilliant! Thanks Guy

[@bran4588]

I had no idea about this... That's gorgeous!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Its fun to play with

[@PascalPrautois]

Excellent ! Thanks so much, very often use with film music.

[@andreykozyrev492]

Love your energy!

[@islandc1]

That was fun! Thanks, Guy. I'd love to see more videos like this!

[@woozyjoe4703]

This is the best presentation I have seen Guy do. Often he loses himself with waffle and I get irritated and bored but this was great. More of the same please, Guy, you have all you need to engage your audience stick to this style; it works well.

[@michaellawrencesound]

I love to improvise using nothing but chord progressions by the third. It gives you a lot of freedom not only regarding what the tonal center of the song is, but I also find that the melody is less constrained by the chord progression, or vice verse. For instance, an F natural in the melody over a D major chord usually works just fine.

[@Chilajuana]

Awesome tutorial!!!!

[@hughscully]

Channeling my inner Elfman. Thanks, Guy

[@elianmusic7452]

Guy, how on earth do i develop your wonderful attitude? I wish to have your lovely outlook on things and your lightness.

[@M4T]

Thanks for that. Let's implement thid in our tracks now ....

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Go for it

[@ericjurotich9078]

Great explanation!

[@eliadigaetano3207]

2:58 DOGGOOOOOOO

[@renzocheesman6844]

This was a really fun and straightforward tutorial to watch, how did I not know this channel?

[@andrewd6236]

5:58 love that reference lol

[@shateq]

2:17 - 2:18 This switch 😂😂 Great educational material

[@AndreasvanHaren]

Hi Guy, great video al always! During my music study I also learned about replacing the main I, IV and V chords by using one of the 3 other chords that you get when created a diminished 7th chord on the I, IV and V step. It gives even more freedom to break out the classical chord progressions! I like especially the tritones alternatives. Maybe interesting to make a video over as well?

[@MusicTheatreAcademy]

Fantastic Guy! I have struggled to explain this to our students! I'm just going to direct them to this in future! Thank you for being so inspiring.

[@jeroenfigee]

6:29 -> "all this sounds sort of fantasyesque, doesn't it?" And I was thinking ...... Kate Bush :-) (So you are right.) . So cool, I got all these notes from different video's and it still didn't make any sence. Watched this video and got it. Great that you used the different steps to get there. . Thumbs up + subscribed.

[@jockojohn3294]

Well, now I have a new meaning for chromatic, which caused me to look up the word chroma, which means color or tone as in skin color or tone, or paint color/tone, etc. Hmmm, then added "tic" to it and that lead to, referring to gradation or steps of color or tone, which lead to the chromatic scale in music being all twelve tones of a musical scale, which then lead back to this video of the chromatic mediant and a new meaning, which leads of course to Stiff Drink Time.......Great little video :)

[@frankelda9403]

The color of the music! Nice insight :) Indeed, these chromatic mediants should help us add more color to our compositions ;)

[@Dangzag]

Thank you!

[@absurdistoxymoron]

This was such a helpful and straightforward video. Thank you!

[@promisespleases]

Thank you!!!!

[@ndwknss]

excellent explanation for the theory of these chords!

[@pauldavisthefirst]

so, to make it really easy: any chord with the note that is either 3 or 4 semitones above or below the nominal tonic/root as the lowest note, and also includes at least one note not in the arbitrarily defined scale of the nominal tonic/root. Yep, definitely easy ! :)

[@thomasmacleod3155]

a cheeky g sharp, quality

[@aeronviladomini580]

Would augmented and diminished chords +/- a Major / Minor 3rd from the tonic also be considered chromatic mediants?

[@LaurinaHawks]

You may call them chromatic augmented/diminished mediants, if you like.

[@ChrisMuellerMusic]

Now THAT was very useful. Thanks Guy!

[@gretapapa9846]

One more of your incredible videos I enjoyed and learned from. Thank you Guy Michelmore!

[@MichaelMaurice]

lovely explanation. Thanks Guy! :)

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Happy to help

[@talbrott]

thanks

[@hideoushiss]

One guy I know I can count on to explain stuff! Thanks!

[@karl.weaver]

Clever!

[@paytonpetkus]

Thank you so much Guy! This video was extremely educational and so well delivered. I’ve been watching your videos for a year but this one is by far the best :)

[@Mr.Batsu12]

Fantastic video. Short, fun and filled with excellent clear information. I absolutely love when I get to learn some music theory that sheds a light on a subject that was previously a dimly lit pot hole filled path and now is a nice well lit carpeted hallway. :D

[@bookstuart]

Well explained! Love the cut of your jib by the way.

[@Joshuadpiano]

Very thanks

[@sophiafake-virus2456]

I learned a lot from that, which was the point of it. Ta

[@rolandwidmer6354]

Very good!! Well explained, funny as always and simply useful to start trying it out!

[@WojciechKobus]

Hi! Nice material, but...still not much about using it, maybe some chord progression examples? Are chromatic mediant chords most often used chromatic chords in music when going out of the diatonic box? Is it most often used way of modulation? How about leading melody with those chords? How about extending those chords? Thanx anyway Guy!

[@johnwade7430]

A really great video Guy - thanks. Great sounds.

[@ntandolugwazi9521]

You’re great.

[@marcusc.nordin5624]

The first 2 chords in Creep by Radiohead which is G major to B major is a good exemple of how this can be used :)

[@OneWeirdAngel]

Creep also has a C minor in it, and of course the Eb of the Cm and the D# of the B are enharmonically equivalent expressions of the same non-diatonic note, so I think that minor iv later on helps reinforce the chromatic mediant.

[@jack3361]

Fantastic lesson guy!

[@raymondspagnuolo8222]

Thanks for posting!

[@ChristianBlandford]

never subscribed so fast!

[@gogolito]

Very nice explanation as usual, thank You

[@mattstaples]

Excellent explanation Guy thank you!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

glad to help

[@ZoeSummers1701A]

You are an amazing teacher.

[@brianhanington470]

Glorious! We adore you.

[@gix6013]

You've made sooo many helpful videos on music.. Can u make one on how to make music without knowing music theory? (I know the importance of learning music theory, even if you'll make this video, I'll not stop trying my best to understand music theory, just asking the video tho)