[Sakamoto, Hisaishi, et. al.] - Common Japanese Chord Progressions

This is a bit of a video “literature review” of modern Japanese music that I like to find out what chord progressions are common in this music. Hopefully you can use them to access the modern Japanese sound in your next composition.
これは現代の日本の音楽のしたビデオの「文学レビュー」で、私はこの音楽でどのようなコードが普通であるかを知りたいのです。皆さんは次の作曲で現代の日本の音にアクセスするためにそれらを使用することができます。
My course on Master The Score w/ @RyanLeach
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Interested in composition lessons? Book an initial call here.
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Patreon:
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Discord:
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Songs in this video, in order of appearance:
Chon - Suda
Chon - Waterslide
Chon - Sleepy Tea
Elis Regina & Antonio Carlos Jobim - Triste
• Elis Regina e Tom Jobi...
Approaching Aphelion - Mint Chip
• Approaching Aphelion -...
open.spotify.c...
Typical anime themes:
Gintama - Sakura Mistusuki
• Gintama「AMV」- Opening ...
Tora Dora - Orange
• Toradora! (とらドラ!) ED 2...
Sword Art Online Theme Ignite:
• Video
Examples for device 1:
Ryuichi Sakamoto - Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
• Video
• Video
Joe Hisaishi - One Summer’s Day • ★ One Summer's Day (Or...
Toe - I Dance Alone • toe - I dance alone
Uchu Conbini - Pyramid
• 宇宙コンビニ 『Pyramid』
Examples for device 2:
Seal - Kiss From a Rose
• Kiss From A Rose - Sea...
Joe Hisaishi - The Legend of Ashitaka (Ending)
• ~Anime~Princess Monono...
ORANGE RANGE - *Asterisk
• Bleach season 1 theme ...
Ryuichi Sakamoto - Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
• Video
Examples for device 3
Koji Kondo - The Nocturne of Shadow
• Zelda: Ocarina Of Time...
Koji Kondo - Minuet of the Forest
• Zelda: Minuet of Forest
Koji Kondo - Serenade of Water
• Ocarina of Time: Seren...
Koji Kondo - Borelo of Fire
• Video
Fox Capture Plan - Butterfly Effect
open.spotify.c...
Examples for device 4
Joe Hisaishi - The Legend of Ashitaka (Ending)
• ~Anime~Princess Monono...
Fox Capture Plan - The Last Story of Myth
open.spotify.c...

[@tyraeide9158]

When he started playing I was like "WAIT ISN'T THAT THE INTRO FOR [insert every anime I've ever seen]"

[@josephkuforiji9407]

thought the same😂

[@satsumaicecreamonsunday5671]

at 2:15 it sounded like bungou stray dogs s2 ed

[@WhatAreDrums729]

Also almost the same melody as "Captain Awkward" by Moron Police

[@TheAce736]

It would fit with airman ga taosenai really well

[@joechapman8208]

While my brain was going, "No matter what I do, all I think about is you, Even when I’m with my boo..." [edit] Oops, I see someone else did too

[@collinbryson9449]

I’ve been looking for something exactly like this for such a long time

[@gavinleepermusic]

Collin Bryson Glad I could help!

[@isaacmoreira8124]

@@gavinleepermusic Man, you are fuckin brillant! Thanks for your time studying, practicing and making this video!

[@CamilaFuentes0227]

Me too!

[@mrbuck2646]

Same here

[@revenge_of_the_garbage]

Me too!

[@axlh.1827]

Japanese composers LOVE using secondary dominants in their progressions, it sounds so colorful

[@HikariKrome]

Sometimes they write these secondary 2-5-1s, such as vii°-V7/vi-vi (Bdim-E7-Am) and v-V7/IV-IV (Gm-C7-F)

[@JoseSantos-hb4nx]

@@HikariKrome can we agree that 2 5 to the IV is the best 2 5?

[@HikariKrome]

@@JoseSantos-hb4nx Yes. How about 2 5 to the vi, with the diminished vii° chord?

[@sakigake_music]

日本人だけど言われてみればそうだわ

[@iankeithestenzo485]

They are also use chromatic progression

[@albieprandi5]

Finally found an answer to japanese songs

[@minka866]

What was your doubts?

[@callmefox630]

THis is really exactly what I wanted to learn! I'm not sure if I'm at the stage of composing my own music, but I'm learning music theory on my own to try and grasp the basics of music composing.

[@gavinleepermusic]

Great to hear! I'm glad this was helpful :)

[@shibuyajin_music]

"I'm only 4 on the weeb scale" proceeds to ja-ne peace sign his way out of the video

[@shrinewitch]

Yeah he's not fooling anyone 😂

[@Anarqism]

4 out of 5

[@Yoshinator54]

I grew up listening to Western and Japanese music and learned these chords by ear by playing music from my childhood on guitar. I started to see patterns and I started gravitating toward “Japanese chord progressions.” Although I never learned music theory, it’s super interesting to see what is going on. I’ve heard people call the Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” or Franki Valli’s “ Can’t Take My Eye’s Off of You” chord progression the “Royal Road” progression. I’ve also noticed lots of Japanese songs use Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” progressions as well. I think Jpop was heavily influenced by Eurobeat, especially in the late 80s through the 90s, and they pulled influences from 60s rock bands like the Beatles, as well as jazz.

[@christinenadeau6371]

Eurobeat basically evolved from Japanese people dancing to high-nrg and italo-disco (amongst other genres) music in the eighties, the european producers making that stuff created eurobeat as a response to their tastes

[@authoreyes101]

Jpop did get its start in Jazz when soldiers were stationed there, as well as karaoke i believe 😊

[@gwalla]

IV-V-iii-vi was already ubiquitous in Japanese pop at least as far back as the 1940s. It is to enka what I-vi-IV-V is to doo-wop. It just never really went out of style in Japan the way the '50s progression did in America.

[@greysonatha9948]

Pachelbel's cannon, was built on an already heavily used progression. It's down 4 up 1 repeat till you get back to tonic.

[@kokubo399]

You completely skipped over my favorite part: 70s Jazz Funk babyyyyyy

[@odangoatama98]

having grown up listening to so much modern japanese music, my ear naturally tends to lead me to these kinds of musical devices when composing, and i’m very thankful for that because they’re absolutely breathtaking.

[@kalmonds]

EXACTLY

[@___xyz___]

As a composer with a background in European genres, I am actually thankful I don't tend towards Japanese progressions. Much as they make decent music in and of themselves, they are very shallow devices, and very few Japanese composers earn my respect as able to break the mold of these hardcoded chords. That being said, I would definitely recommend people familiarise themselves with and learn Japanese pop music, as at least on the surface it's more diverse than Western pop music. If you play guitar or something, it's nice to get a comp going.

[@odangoatama98]

@@___xyz___ do you want a cookie

[@KM41867]

@@___xyz___ What do you mean by "shallow" and why is it supposedly significant in the context of comparing Japanese and Western chord progressions?

[@sacr3dseeker]

@@___xyz___ honestly this reply feels hateful and dishonest

[@RazorEdge2006]

Modern Japanese chord progressions can trace their roots to the pentatonic scale used in traditional Japanese music. Modern Japanese chord progressions are essentially an evolution of the traditional Japanese pentatonic scale. Japanese musicians combined that with Western instruments and blues, classical, jazz and rock influences along with modern Japanese electronic synths. And the result is modern Japanese music.

[@indejcriptible]

"one cadence to weeb them all" thx!!

[@rabbitguy337]

I'm very glad I clicked on this as I am not an anime fan, but everything in this video gave me a lot to work with in my "midwest emo" mathrock in 4/4 guitar playing.

[@louciferLGS]

dude establishes an admiration for nintendo music, studio ghibli, AND chon in the first thirty seconds of the video. fastest sub ever ;3

[@ybuenoo]

Dude, seriously this video was kind of best lesson ever. i was able to sit in the piano and apply succesfully the progressions. thanks for this!

[@gavinleepermusic]

gabriel de giacomi Wow that's so awesome to hear!!

[@1.4142]

"Wait, so it's all the same chord progressions?" "Always has been."

[@12lordarthur97]

I'm currently working on my composition (final project) for AP music theory. I incorporated some of the stuff you mentioned in this video. Big thank you Gavin because this was very informative and helpful.

[@gavinleepermusic]

Katievent Amazing! Glad you found this helpful. I'd love to see your project when you're done, if you're comfortable sharing : )

[@gavinleepermusic]

Anime Rules! I think a lot of that R&B flavor can be achieved with choosing soulful voicings of these chords. Sus chords like F/G (which I have a whole video about btw) can help there. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5_Fgmd_aMx5i7s I'd also see some of Jeff Schneider's early videos on the subject. Particularly his voicings of maj7 chords where he hammers on the 7 or 3rd late. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKarpax4g7Ohnbc I'm a sucker for that kinda thing. Glasper does it pretty frequently too.

[@gavinleepermusic]

Feel free to DM me a link to your project on Instagram! I'm @leapah.

[@TakaokiKaimi]

I wish this was made sooner. I kinda took the long route to being able to write these kinds of progressions. You know how some people say that the music you listen to tends to come out in your playing? That's what inevitably happened in my case. I listened to Japanese music so much, that one day while just messing around, I hit the right chord and it all started falling into place. It took me about 4 years before that sound started coming out. Now every time I play with friends who strictly listen to western music, I have to consciously make myself play differently. One said that these progressions sound too random, that she can't find a melody and it sounds like smashing random chords together.

[@gavinleepermusic]

バカ兄貴 Welcome! Glad this helps, and I know what you mean.

[@toastedfridge5631]

Damn dude i was looking for this for so long

[@esoonmeen]

please more videos with actual examples pulled from real music! it was great and really illustrated the points youre making!!

[@Scooter_Alice]

As a jazz musician, I've always been so fascinated by this particular style of Japanese music composition. It makes you wonder how much of it is based on jazz music and how much of it is the other way around.

[@kohai-kun9261]

*hears the first bits of the "Orange" ED from Toradora* *begins crying*

[@solidislanda1]

I love the visuals you use it really helps me understand

[@gavinleepermusic]

Glad they help!

[@Narokx]

IMMACULATE This is so well explained, removing all the confusing concepts, and focusing what is necessary to understand a concept without confusing the viewer! Major props, and thanks for the content

[@gavinleepermusic]

So glad it was helpful for you!

[@povilasl5383]

this is one of the most insane videos on music theory ever, its like the 3rd chord and secondary dominants actually exist in music, this is so eye opening how music can actually work with something else other than I,V,vi and ii or IV

[@adriatic.vineyards]

Third eye opening

[@farmpunk_dan]

I appreciate your vibe. Sometimes theory videos make my eyes gloss over but you kept it grounded.

[@Burningrush]

Your video was a revelation for me. I always had a love for the OOT ocarina melodies and Sakamoto's Mr. Lawrence, but I didn't think they had anything in common. Fast-forward 15 years and I'm getting into Anime in a big way, discovering new favorite works from Hisaishi, Yokoyama and Ushio, among others. Now I hear you casually mention relatively obscure bands who's sound I've recently fallen in love with (as part of my general discovery of Math Rock) like Toe, Chon and Uchu Conbini? You blew my mind. I only know the name Fox Capture Plan because they were attached to an anime OST recently; judging from the clips in your video, though, it sounds like I'm going to dig their music too. I guess I'm just a sucker for the cord progressions in your video. Thank you - It's so satisfying to have something tangible to explain why I like all these seemingly disparate pieces of music, instead of the opaque "I just like how it sounds". As far as suggestions go, listen to George Yanagi's Weeping In The Rain. I'd love to know how the melody manages to have a soulful 70's-esc sound while retaining an asian flavor.

[@gavinleepermusic]

Wow, so glad this was of so much use to you! This is precisely what excites me about making these videos in the first place. Oh wow, I didn't know they did an OST. Are you talking about Seishun Buta Yarou? I'll give that George Yanagi tune a listen and let you know! If I'm able to figure it out and communicate it in a minute, I'll post in on my insta (@leapah) for you. I also don't know Yokoyama. What should I check out?

[@Burningrush]

@@gavinleepermusic I am indeed talking about Seishun Buta! I haven't had a chance to sit down and listen to the OST yet though. Masaru Yokoyama is a pretty prolific composer - I think his best anime works are the Your Lie in April and Scum's Wish OSTs. He's not purely an anime composer, though; he's done plenty of scoring for live action works. One of my favorite compositions is his theme to the NHK show Family History: kzbin.info/www/bejne/joenfpedlN-bZ9E I think it's a real showcase of his style. I don't know any music theory to tell you what aspects of the composition are distinctly his, but his use of short string notes and melodically complex piano rhythms are a Yokoyama staple, I think. While I'm recommending live action soundtracks, the Begin Japanology theme blends traditional Japanese instrumentation with a pretty modern-sounding arrangement; I've always dug it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJbPmniliL6cmqM Look out for Hiroko Sebu - originally a singer, she's gotten into scoring and composition lateley. Her live action OST's are solid (though hard to find online), and she's started doing Anime very recently. Lastly, Taku Takahashi's pieces on the Biblia Koshodō no Jiken Techō OST, who (bringing it back to composers for Anime), had some of the best tracks on the Space Dandy OST - an anthology OST, which is an entire conversation in and of itself.

[@gavinleepermusic]

@@Burningrush Thank you for all of this! I'll start checking things out.

[@trialbystone2532]

6:30 the Seal Progression is also sometimes referred to as a Mario Cadence, which I think is brilliant.

[@FirstLast-uj9ud]

For future reference, I suggest analysing these in minor keys, rather than major. The progressions IV - V - vi and IV - III - i should really be VI - VII - i and VI - V - i respectively - it makes much more harmonic sense that way. Otherwise, great video!

[@tuckvison]

Yeah, I was kinda surprised by how far down I had to scroll to find this comment. To be fair, the key can be ambiguous in some of these tracks or change... though with the specific chord progressions he went over, these are definitely minor progressions when analyzed in a vacuum. I suppose when writing specifically anime music which often resolves in major, looking at them as IV - V - vi and IV - III - iv can be a more effective way to go about it -- maybe this is a little advanced for the scope of the video but some mention of modulation/key pivoting would've been helpful to alleviate that ambiguity for some people. Great video overall and I love the way he synthesized with what he found.

[@shuppypuppy17]

I want someone to explain the scale a lot of Kpop Japanese releases have idk they sound similar and have this cool scale

[@menriquez89]

Yeah these songs are all minor

[@boots4snootin571]

I find its just easier to have one way to think about it. I don't wanna remember that a IV in the major sounds like what a bVI(??) in the relative minor its the same notes. Simpler to always view of it from the lens of the relative major, or the minor if you've learned it like that. There's not really a point to learning it twice

[@FirstLast-uj9ud]

​@@boots4snootin571 There is a point though... the whole purpose of functional analysis (i.e., the Roman numerals) is to show the relationship between chords and their functions. Those relationships get lost when you analyse something in the wrong key. For example, V - i in a minor key, when analysed in its relative major, becomes III - vi. This makes no harmonic sense, because III is not a dominant function chord, and vi, while it is technically a tonic function chord, doesn't really serve the same purpose as the i chord. Analysing a minor song in its relative major makes about as much sense as analysing something in C major as though it were in G major.

[@bidensciownworidbroughttoy4218]

Toe is one of the greatest bands ever. The drummer, the electric guitars and bass, the acoustic, the keys, every little thing about their sound is done so well.

[@AlainGalvan]

Loved this video!, thanks so much! I really liked that you included a ton of prior art for each talking point. Very research oriented! 😁

[@gavinleepermusic]

Alain Galvan Thank you! Yeah this one actually required quite a bit of research

[@tamago5110]

Rarely does one get EXACTLY what was on their mind explained in a KZbin video. This is insanely good, thanks man!

[@DCeeMusik]

This is amazing! Very eye-opening stuff.

[@gavinleepermusic]

DCBeats Glad you think so!

[@holiveirathoth]

Second time you said "Triste", the pronunciation was perfect! Thanks a lot for the video. Greentinfs from Brazil

[@earchangingmusic5522]

Gavin, would you ever do a video breaking down Triste or common musical devices found in Samba music? Your channel looks pretty focused on Japanese, progressive rock, and neo jazz prog rock etc type styles. Which is super cool, just wondering if you're planning any other "genre specific music theory break downs" of commonly used musical ideas in other styles as well? You did an excellent job on this video and I'd love to see how dissect other styles as well. Thanks!

[@Mobilesuit413x]

Your modern japanese stylized guitar riff sounds like “Dilemma” by Nelly ft. Kelly Rowland I dig it.

[@gavinleepermusic]

Alex Ketner Haha yes, a friend made me well aware of this in draft stages. Good ear!

[@nataliem4434]

this is literally all I could hear lol

[@ethanscott9761]

I knew it sounded super familiar lmao. Thank you for reminding me what song

[@kikoishere]

my thoughts exactly haha

[@Beyond_Right]

Was looking for this exact comment! One can only imagine the temptation of wanting to hear that song after a friend points it out, yet also not wanting to have uninspired influence take over an original!

[@asphy-musica]

This blew my mind and boosted the quality of my random improvisations, I wish I found this 2 years earlier...

[@justayoutubeuser8652]

Japanese chord progression sound so freaking awesome, relaxing, sad, happy and more

[@andrew.x_]

I've been searching about these stuff yesterday and now yt recommended me this, nice.

[@rex3782]

WAIT *NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP USES ANIME CHORDS*

[@gavinleepermusic]

Mr. Rex Yes that's right!! Or the reverse? Haha

[@vishdude448]

Yes I felt it

[@laundry7703]

careful. you might get rickrolled trying to discover this information

[@whythehecknot5038]

Damn you, now i cant unhear it

[@Rex-golf_player810]

EPICLY

[@heuxheux]

have I just discovered the nicest channel on this platform..

[@renatokobashigawa7025]

Although I am brazilian, I also grew around japanese stuff since I'm half japanese myself. I always had this ease of improvising bossa nova by accident, even if I didn't really listen to it at all, now I realise there's a reason for everything.

[@jdechello]

Ryuichi Sakamoto had a trio with Jacques and Paula Morelenbaum playing Brazilian music about 20 years ago.

[@Ewang2727]

You guys are extremely common lol there's so many Japanese ppl in Brazil I'm not surprised there's a lot of mixed ppl there

[@ivansoto9723]

@@Ewang2727 There's actually a Brazillian population in Japan funny enough

[@brian55513]

This video deserves a million views, great work !

[@thomassiufung8397]

Yoasobi has used IV V iii vi IV V vi v I7 IV V III vi ii V I as their signature in almost every songs they write

[@sweet_flour]

Wow...thanks a lot. Now i can try ro make a music composition with a japan modern style of progression. Thanks a lot dude.

[@DigiAloe]

Finally! a video where there is someone that is concentrated on “music theory” Instead of cringy video edits made for a quick laugh and cheap thrills Bravo! for your work and studying the chord progressions, I was actually thinking of doing a video myself discussing the music theory behind it

[@joycesanders4898]

..do it!🥼🎹🎵

[@athegodofanime7108]

Great video! Keep up the great work! Have an awesome day!

[@simonsmatthew]

I think there is a lot of history behind this sound. I felt a very big influence from Ravel and Debussy and Messiaen in Japanese composers. You can hear this in Takemitsu and Sakmoto. In the 50s and 60s it was very ubiquitous in serious music as well as in film and television music. The Enka sound developed separately. Something I would add, although there is a lot of rubbish, there are a lot of very skilled musicians in Japan, including amateurs. Extraordinary attention to detail.

[@gavinleepermusic]

Agreed! Esp about Debussy!

[@PhoenixFlight94]

Glad you briefly mentioned #Vdim. V #Vdim vi is super common too. Chorus of My Love Is A Stapler by HTT is an obvious one.

[@gavinleepermusic]

Check out my video about Transition Chords. Much more on this subject!

[@lysanderskyj5409]

It's interesting, I feel like the lack of 1 chord really gives the sound a sense of 'journeying' which is great for an anime opening and great for a video game soundtrack where we are never reaching our destination, we are leading the ear to keep expecting more music (since it's likely a loop.)

[@wareya]

IV V vi (vi/I) is so common in touhou music (which is hugely prolific) that some people have started calling it zun's default emotional chord progression

[@needramenrn9475]

Having only a basic understanding of music theory this made so much sense to me wow

[@colinhawks2469]

Finally found a legitimate answer to what I was wanting to know! Holy crap mate, THANK YOU!!!

[@gelya420]

watched part of the video stoned yesterday, that little bit of sleepy tea was just too good, I had to go and listen to it, today I return to the video

[@bulldogger1467]

Thank you for doing this... Check out some City Pop (80s jpop) they use these sorts of progressions like crazy, and its some of the best music ever! Tatsuro Yamashita is a good starting point! Or the song Plastic Love!

[@ethanbagley471]

This video is one of the biggest hacks in the industry. I never took the time or thought to figure out the chord progressions that gave japanese music this iconic sound in game themes and anime. But you went out of your way to save us all, bro

[@jabez-50]

4:58 reminds me of your lie in april ost

[@ketexon1815]

I thought so too, but Again has a completely different chord progression (in standard classical harmony too). Dm: im7, iio, VII7 (V7/III), III, v, im7 The Japanese progressions don't seem to put as much emphasis on the root (but seem to love the iii->vi resolution) and seem to be way more diatonic in progression.

[@alphacrocodile5947]

thanks now im cutting onions again lmao

[@safe4547]

dude this video is so well made and your explanation is crystal clear.

[@rome8180]

This was super interesting and I'll probably incorporate it into my own songwriting. Also, thanks for introducing me to a bunch of cool new bands.

[@DanzelDangleben]

this was a bit confusing the first time i watched.. but after doing alot of google work, it becomes alot more clear, thanks bro

[@LoganSusnick]

FYI, Sakamoto's gorgeous "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" is an instrumental version of an even more beautiful song "Forbidden Colours" with David Sylvian (of the band Japan) on vocals. Sylvian wrote the touching lyrics and sang them in a way that only he can. And if you haven't seen this Oshima's film, it stars David Bowie, Takeshi, and even a 30-year-old Sakamoto :)

[@thenoodledrop]

80s City Pop is full of these kind of melodies, would definitely suggest look into some of those songs!

[@MichaelBogaMusic]

Thanks for the super clear explanation, you've been well analysing those scores and songs! Was always wondering how they got their sound! Will try to incorpore some of those progressions in my compositions! Cheers

[@gavinleepermusic]

MichaelBogaMusic Glad you liked it! Do share anything you make. I'd be curious to hear. I'm @leapah on insta. You can DM me there if you like :)

[@MichaelBogaMusic]

Super informative yes! Haven't really tried yet but i will i'll let you know! Cool i'll follow you on IG then and let's chat! Cheers

[@baronvonbeandip]

Him: "Chon does this frequently as in" Us: *at the same time* "Suda"

[@kdakan]

I think it comes from the traditional Japanese scale A B C E F (I don't know the name). The common chord sequence Fmaj E(power chord) Am have only the notes A B C E F in them.. Even though they use westernized melodies in these examples, the melodies and chord tones resolve naturally to these tones of the traditional Japanese scale, it's their traditional musical instinct I believe. The last progression Bbmaj Am cycle is a modulation from D E F A Bb to A B C E F, a common modulation in western music because there is only one note difference in these transposed scales, which offers for a smooth change. The western scale equivalent is D minor (=relative minor of F major) to C major, they are the neighboring tones on the circle of 5ths, and is the most common used modulation in western music. There is another explanation for this sequence, that is tritone substitution, Bbmaj is a substitute for the Emaj chord, but it makes more sense in a dominant to tonic resolution. Your example has a Fmaj Bbmaj Am which is a substitute for Fmaj E Am, which again is the same common progression in your first example.

[@12DAMDO]

IV V7 iii Vi an easy way to remember this is it's basically _similar_ to Hallelujah (it goes like this: the 4th, the 5th, the minor fall, the major lift) EDIT: i put the word "similar" in italics for a reason

[@RaynP]

J pop chorus chord progressions 101 (Uppercase letters are Major chords, Lowercase letters are Minor chords. Each line represents one bar) I V, III vi, v, I IV, V III, vi II V

[@Pacey_]

I noticed this too... there is a lot of variation , but I think the most important aspects are the v-I-IV in your 4th and 5th line (which is really a ii-V-I leading into the IV), and also the vii​ø-III-vi (or a minor iiø-V-i into the iv chord) in your 2nd and 3rd line

[@j3y445]

In general for chord theory. If you say play 6th chord, it is implied minor because of how modes work. Look up the different scale modes. Theres Ionian or 1, Dorian or 2, Phrygian or 3, Lydian or 4, Mixolydian or 5, Aeolian or 6, and Locrian or 7. 1 is major, 2 is minor(flat 3 and flat 7), 3 is minor(flat 9, flat 3, flat 13, flat 7), 4 is major(sharp 11), 5 is major(flat 7, this is also called dominant 7 chord), 6 is natural minor(this means that u flat the 13 as well as 7 and 3), 7 has diminished chord, but not diminished scale(flat 9, flat 3, flat 5, flat 13, flat 7).

[@HikariKrome]

@@Pacey_ iv → vi

[@RaptorT1V]

I found this video and tomorrow it will be exactly one year old! Author you are a genius! I myself wanted to carry out a similar research work. Glad someone already made it!

[@gavinleepermusic]

RaptorTV Thank you! Wow, yes, one year. More coming soon.

[@thafff]

Nice work. You forgot to talk about the *-ii-V-I resolution (e.g. I - viiø - V7/vi - vi - ii - V - I , which Marthy Friedman often uses). In fact, in your introduction, I suspect you cut your first example (0:24-0:33) on it.

[@gavinleepermusic]

Yeah I guess I thought I wouldn't include cadences which end these progressions like ii-V-I or IV-V-I, since I see those as just more general music theory concepts (I do mention it briefly around 4:45 in terms of ii of IV, V of iv to lead back to IV, but not anything about actual ii-V-I cadences, which I'm assuming some basic knowledge of. Perhaps I should explicitly tough on them at some point). Does Marty present that whole progression as one unit? Where should I find his stuff? Is that from his Samurai Music Theory book? I've had trouble finding places where he talks about this stuff in specific terms, and am curious to learn more since I now know how much of an expert he's considered on this.

[@gavinleepermusic]

I'm making a follow up that actually addresses those first examples, so please stay tuned :)

[@HikariKrome]

Didn't you forget the IV between I and vii°...?

[@jordanramsey5763]

I didn’t understand modal interchange until now, thank you my mans

[@skatan4727]

Wasn't expecting to see Chon when I clicked this. Ive seen the live twice. Such a great band

[@MaxiGoethling]

So much of my favorite music and bands in one video wow

[@Nazrininator]

I like this video! You did a great job explaining why Japanese music sounds so good!

[@pablobarrios7681]

Great analysis, the first guitar example you wrote and showed, reminded me a hell of lot to Sonic the Hedgehog haha

[@abellang843]

as a mediocre musician who is a big fan of anime this helps a lot thank you very much

[@soulfulandnice]

I love this!! 😃 So many memories hearing these chords! I am with you on the bVII. It's so transformative 🦸🏽‍♀️

[@thosewhowish2b693]

I always saw that {bVII} as a work-around for the pesky (vii)min7(b5) by changing the root note a half-step down. In my mind, that was a modulation down a fifth, just for a split second. For example, in C major: Cmaj7 (I chord) / (Bb)maj7 (IV chord of F major) / Amin7 / etc. I also find that #11 quite amusing, but I view it as part of a Lydian chord (in the example, Bb Lydian), with a #4.

[@boiboi7717]

I've been waiting for this video for such a long time-- bless your soul

[@goleogthais]

i know it sounds so inanely redundant and obvious, but as soon as Butterfly Effect started playing, I immediately thought "yep thats anime"

[@Arycke]

VI is also a secondary dominant to the ii (or II in a I VI II V) VI = V/ii

[@nickq5709]

Clicking this video: What is this BS? Watching this video: This is amazing. Really great job, as a music nerd I love it, and as a Japanese music fans, your examples were great! Uchu Combini, Fox Capture Plan, amazing... Subscribed!

[@earchangingmusic5522]

I actually clicked over here to this video after watching a vid about common musical devices used in Broadway and musical theatre. Hahaha. Totally different vibes, but it's given me a weird bag of musical tricks to play with my composing projects for the day. Cheers!

[@nunolance23]

Good ideia man! I just did this when I first started listening to CHON, they totally got me into learning guitar and music theory in general!

[@AaryyanVivek]

Thaaaank you soo much for amazing explaination! I always wanted to break down Japanese music theory and this lesson was sooo good :)

[@jonaschalewmusic549]

So awesome! My favorite ending song from One Piece called "Shining ray" uses the first progression (which I knew) but each verse also ends with the picardy third (which I didn't know till now!) thank you for the awesome vid & new tools!

[@gavinleepermusic]

Jon Aschalew Music Correct! Glad you found this useful.

[@mrvegetables2934]

You deserve more subscriber like for real man, thank you

[@kalmonds]

this is one of the most thoughtful and comprehensive tutorials on what gives anime "THAT" sound. . .I can't thank you enough my dood.

[@gavinleepermusic]

I'm so glad and honored to help you understand this music!

[@rodrigothiagus]

Brazilian here. Mostly of MPB(popular Brazilian music)Samba and such has these type of progressions. As musician , I could say Jpop is literally part of my life.

[@arthurtigreat8929]

The castle in the sky theme use a sort of the spanish cadence if you look closer

[@alexjevincent]

Excellent and well broken down. Thank you so much for this. Subscribed!

[@CaptainPhen]

I personally feel the "Seal progression" as a bVI - bVII - I instead of a IV - V - VI. Loved your video though, this is by far one of my favorite topics in music. Also thanks for introducing me to these great bands!

[@HelloHello-vk5ob]

Same, i was kind of confused why he was analyzing it as C major

[@parvec]

This video is great wow. Thanks for sharing it!

[@PowerfulWizard]

Chon is the bomb

[@theindoboi]

Finally I found this answer! No wonder JPOP are so different to regular Pop song that we here on the radio.

[@alessandrorumbo490]

After watching this video I tried looking at some of the japanese tunes I like the most, especially those that feel more "typically japanese": Driver's High by L'arc-en-ciel has the IV-V-iii-vi progression (often throwing a 6th in the chords), and also substitutes the VIsus and VI7 a couple of times throughout the song. Also Yokan by Dir-en-Grey uses the VI V vi progression a lot.

[@gavinleepermusic]

Alessandro Rumbo yayy! They're super commonly used devices aren't they?!

[@alessandrorumbo490]

@@gavinleepermusic and yet they are so elusive! Thank you for pointing them out! One thing that I've noticed about the sound choices (and it looks like you have incorporated into Mint Chip) is the bright overdriven guitar, and I've noticed it is often paired with very "crunchy" chord voicings. Some examples are the aforementioned Driver's High, but also Crawl by Veltpunch (Nabari no ou opening). I couldn't really figure out the voicings (I'm fairly new to this kind of analysis, I'm formerly a bass player so I usually care about the root alone :P ), it'd be cool if you could elaborate on that, if you care to!

[@gavinleepermusic]

Alessandro Rumbo I'll have a listen!

[@brianmarr8309]

I was looking for Driver's High in the comments!

[@GramGramAnimations]

IV V7 vi V7 is the progression in Closer by Chainsmokers and now I keep blending that song in my head along with a lot of these songs with similar progressions

[@abrancaeopreto4669]

great your video, i have been looking for this class for a long time thanks

[@abrancaeopreto4669]

I am artist on the spotfy looking for me " A Branca e o preto on the spotfy there are my compose

[@LMC-xz6qh]

I'd heavily recommend checking out some J-Rock and Visual Kei! It definitely uses these types of chord progressions as well.

[@gavinleepermusic]

xHeavenHelpUsAll7771x thanks! Is Visual Kei a genre? Or a band?

[@LMC-xz6qh]

@@gavinleepermusic It's, to be specific, an aesthetic movement, not a musical genre, although it's almost always rock and metal bands. Think japanese Glam aesthetics. There are many different bands that follow it, but some of the most well known ones are X Japan, The Gazette, l'arc-en-ciel, Versailles, or Malice Mizer. I find it really interesting that you did a video about japanese music, it's such a rich and interesting musical place to explore.

[@shing02]

seems like they mostly start on the 4 chord interesting

[@gavinleepermusic]

I agree! In that Ongaku Concept video that I link to, he talks about how starting on the 4 chord gives of this nice sense of movement and not being "home" right at the get go. That way there's some room to wander as you make your way home. I quite liked that explanation, and recommend that you check it out.

[@tomassalgado7014]

Dude thank you so much for this. Very informative and easy to understand! I’m definitely going to be using this in my bands new stuff!

[@alvaritococ-qf5rr]

j pop is the mixture of jazz, soul lo fi and pop beautiful

[@minceraftfornite4334]

I like how u linked all music used