There is a better way to hear chords than ONLY using your Ear

How do you find out difficult chords? In order to play what musicians are doing you first have to hear their chords? But how? In 2023, we need to know what to focus on so let's jump in and see if you have been focusing on the wrong thing to hear chords
**Percentages from the chart are my own numbers and do not represent a scientific study. Nor do they represent a consensus within the musician community
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[@Jazzmarcel]

wow!.......as a sax player i am always baffled by how fast piano players hear chords and complex harmonies on the cuff!👍

[@musical_lolu4811]

It's basically the same with any instrument, even non harmonic ones like the sax. There's stock patterns and theory everywhere.

[@micindir4213]

Maaan just buy decoda. I had to do charts for cash , so I bought it cos my ear wasn’t good enough. It spews out chords pretty good! Unfortunately I needed more than just chords to actually make charts on time, so I failed. But program is very nice. You might even play a bunch of nonesense and it’ll make up what harmony you actually played (suggest modes ).

[@latinkeys1]

Nothing beats the old fashioned way, that’s what he’s teaching here. Once you put in the work, it stays with you.. It even evolves. Trust and believe, fam..

[@Celso_Luis]

I'm a guitar player who learned it like most beginners do (by tablatures and chord sheets), so I'm naturally still very oriented to guide myself on my instrument by positions and shapes when thinking of cadences, circle of fifths etc. So what baffles me the most about piano players is how they are able to think in structural terms when it comes to building harmony. I mean, like how a piano player thinks of an Fmaj7 chord as the collection of notes F-A-C-E, anywhere in the keyboard and regardless of the variations and inversions, instead of a "maj7 shape beginning in the 1st fret of the 6th string", like guitar players tend to do. I bet it's way harder to learn, but man, it REALLY seems to pay off in the end!

[@kendrick10601]

@@Celso_Luis Instead of shape we learn numbers; so 1-3-5-7 in any key in a Maj 7. For instance I really like C maj 9 played with this voicing way C / B-D-E-G; I think of it as 1/ 7-2-3-5. It's tedious, but it works.

[@stubbsmusic543]

When we say someone has a “good ear” that means that by using the input from their ears they have become musically fluent at mentally processing, recognizing patterns and use that knowledge to produce music. It does not merely mean you have good hearing. It’s the interaction of listening, analyzing, learning and creating output. All music schools have ear training, music theory and analysis. So, by all means DON’T STOP using your ears, because they are a miraculous tool for perceiving sound. The rest is up to your brain and the time you put into getting good at something.

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

yes true, despite the catchy thumbnail, however, the ears are still used to pull from an existing knowledge base. The ears of a musician, like yourself, will hear and process differently than a musician starting out, their ears have grown, yes, but more so their internal knowledge

[@OlandoMcCall]

This is a chicken or the egg discussion

[@treyhudson73]

I've often struggled to describe my musical knowledge. The best I come up with is just "I know where things are supposed to go". I hear people describing music theory with a mess of complex language, meanwhile I'm just like "yes, that's what SHOULD be there, or that's what WORKS here"

[@sat1241]

@@SeanWilsonPiano Everybody is born with different naturally ability. I know many professionals would agree with your approach but have you ever come across people with perfect pitch who could pick out any four note chord strictly be ear? Certainly some can name any of the 12 notes you might play. If they could do that they could familiarize themselves with all the intervals. So two notes is believable. Three and four notes simultaneously is where it gets really hard. I suppose you could systematically take a given interval and then practice naming any of 12 notes added to it. Then go to every interval and do the same. I suppose that is 144 combinations !! A lot of them might be dissonant but nevertheless each one something to identify . I think Rick Beato's kid can do this

[@robertmichalscheck3072]

@@OlandoMcCall lol

[@jochenpietsch1695]

This is hands down the best video about ear-training that I ever came across in my entire life. Thank you!

[@yoz2k25]

Ufff!!! This is gold brother!!! This is why gospel musicians are some of the most sought after! The vocabulary is so extensive! I’m lucky to not only be a gospel musician but to have resources like this!

[@donaldbrunson3404]

Sean, I was skeptical about commenting because I've been a church musician for nearly 30 years. After hearing and watching your videos for the past year, I've realized how "stuck" I was within my own realm of knowledge I've received over the years. I'm now a new subscriber to your website because I believe that your methods can take my playing to the level that I've longed to be for the longest time. Thank you!!!

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Hey man, let me just say thanks for commenting and also your commitment to growth. I’m like you man, just someone passionate about learning and growing. Glad your onboard, hit me up if you have any questions

[@adfraggs]

This is incredible. I've been banging away at a piano for 30+ years and often wondering what I'm missing, because I have a perfectly good ear and decent understanding of theory and yet I still struggle. This explains it brilliantly and gives me an idea of what I need to work on, namely the vocabulary of chords and progressions that produce those sounds that I often find so elusive.

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Appreciate it man, I’m not devaluing the role of the ear at all just highlighting the importance of growing the existing knowledge base for the ear to pull from. Let me also add for the reader when I say theory I’m speaking in a broad sense. Not literal theory but your understanding of the rules of what you are doing. For most folks it’s intuitive

[@pianospeedrun]

@@SeanWilsonPiano it's really obvious when you think about it, but learning vocabulary means getting out of your comfort zone, listenning to new stuff (or old that we gloss over) replicate it in our playing in a conscious manner... how often do we hear that transcribing is one of the best learning exercises, yet few get the courage or desire to grind it out. Takes time and energy, if you're naturally very curious and passionate it's not an effort, for some of us like me it's a small but undeniable barrier. Thanks for keeping it real

[@claudiakramer4516]

You have to memorize most of the common changes and what commonly counts as an outside chord

[@yuyiya]

@@SeanWilsonPiano what you're calling "theory" here, you could call "grammar", because that becomes instinctive when you speak any language - and it also uses the same metaphor as your term "vocabulary".

[@pianospeedrun]

@@yuyiya nice fractal

[@a.drummond8745]

I agree. As somebody whose vocabulary needs work, this makes a ton of sense! We appreciate you Sean! You inspire me not to be average

[@segun_the_polymath]

This explains why I could suddenly pick up chords when I learned a lot of chords from your channel. Thank you so much, Sean!

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

There you go doc!

[@jgmb829]

At 3:55, the four chords you were playing were all diminished chords starting with the top Eb on the right hand. But the original version, only the last chord is a diminish chord. It goes from an Abmaj7/C (with Eb on top) to G/B to Gb/Bb then to a Adim or F7(b9)/A.

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Just listened to it again, the last chord may also follow your pattern. Sounds dominate since he plays the Eb there

[@GoatPepper]

I've tried playing by ear for years and it wasn't until I built vocab from learning theory, and also learning on keys instead of guitar that accelerated my progress in learning new songs, on both instruments. The great thing about music overall is it does often fulfill expectations that have been built by genre and traditions. You could hum to a song you never heard before and it is likely you land on the right notes. I also noticed that dominant chords do have diminished harmony in their anatomy, its nice to see how useful they are. Your charts look very interesting, and they make sense when it comes to creating tension and resolve.

[@thepraise4260]

This is definitely what I needed to hear... sometimes it's annoying when you hear other musicians play and when you try it out it just doesn't sound right 😅. I've got to up my vocabulary. Thank you Sean! You're the best!

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

You could be in the ballpark tho… for instance you could be playing a dominant chord but they could be using the same chord but have additional tension notes that you don’t normally use

[@jonheimusicacademy]

Sean i agree 100 percent. This lesson is my breakthrough. I thought i need to have great ears but now i see. Ear just play 10 percent. Other 90 percent is from vocabulary and theory. This lesson is crazy. Thanks so much sean may The LORD continue to bless you as you pour into our hearts the wisdom of piano and music.

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

This is my personal experience with the percentages, the more chords I learn transcription gets easier. At the beginning it would take me forever to figure out chords I didn’t know

[@amotinyabongo5659]

Thank you. I play Gospel and Jazz and my ear is actually helping my vocabulary which in turn boosts my theory....

[@scottkaysk8s]

I'm calling this the BEST video on music education I have ever seen (however this is the first of your videos I've seen Sean!) I've never stopped learning music - this is like an everything theory. Brilliant!!

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Wow man, wow and honor thanks so much!

[@anthonyquintanilla4207]

I saw his video on rootless chords how to identify diminished chords from seventh chords (secondary dominant chords) it changed my life lol I had never seen anyone teach it like that. I couldn't believe it was that easy. He hits on those points in this video as well. The most educational videos I've seen and very easy to understand.

[@FlorissMusic]

great someone is saying this! ears are not some magic device that tell you everything

[@holyzionworshipministries2523]

You're right Brother I thank you for your patience and your generosity May the Lord of the lords keep you updated and safe Amen

[@vralex02]

One of the most educational videos on KZbin!!!

[@Somong]

0:36 - 1:06 = the most significant explanation I've heard.

[@thekinghasnoname4858]

This is simply the best video I've ever seen on Ear Training on the entire platform. And I've been watching all I could about it for the last 7 years.

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Wow man…

[@Bent6]

This is a fantastic and succinct breakdown of picking up songs "by ear"! I realize this is exactly the way I've been learning from recordings for years. This will be of great help with students who think they aren't interested in theory but just want to learn songs. Thanks!

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

You're very welcome!

[@walterwa256]

This has just blown my mind. I need to pick up my piano playing this year 2023

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Pick it up man!!

[@jacobsmithjr]

Brother you nailed the point that many people have been wanting to deny for years. Knowing theory can only help you!

[@yungflashykid]

Wow this explains why I can figure out some difficult chords and play songs. Without being able to identify simple melodies or notes off the major scale

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

There you go doc!

[@potatodrive9538]

you and Emmanuel Blanco are the best teachers on this app. This is great !!

[@shedrickjenkins4457]

This was one your best lessons thus far. As a beginner, I had a hard time keeping up with you on the website and decided to leave. But some of the lessons lately have been eye openers and will be joining back.

[@alamolalamol9426]

Wow Sean. I am a member and your chart is amazing. This is the blueprint that we amateurs have tried to piece together as much as possible over the years to try and figure out what top musicians are doing, and you have gifted this to us. Thank you so much.

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks, Alamol!!!

[@srncommful]

You're a beast bro. This is so key!!

[@Because-v4x]

I'm staying with my old school style of p!aying since I was a child. Theres not too many cords i cant play in for choirs and soloist's. Thank you for your teaching though for others to learn. God bless 😎

[@Mtaalas]

I'm self tought. Hobbyist, but serious one. I found this pattern of "insert "diminished" chord" as every other chord" type of a thing way back when. And as you state here, they're not really diminished, but they are the dominants of the chord before that and you can use that to move around the circle of fifts VERY freely. so play a minor chord, then play it's dominant but rootless, play another minor/major above or below considering where you're moving, then play that chords dominant as rootless... etc. That "diminished chord" just allows you to move between two totally non sequitur chords and modulate all over the place when you get it. It's like magic when you first discover it, but as you state here, there's logic to it that your chard shows very neatly :)

[@ThePianosamAcademy]

Sean just being Sean, My Dad told me exactly the same when i tried intimidating him with my good ears. God bless you Sean

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

He’s a wise man doc!

[@brian106699]

This is maybe the most important music education video on KZbin.

[@Keys_To_Clarity]

KZbin really needs to invent a way to like videos more than once.... 😪 Perfect perfect explanation and demonstration. Thanks a ton 🔥

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Wow, thank you man!

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

@@SeanWilsonPiano agreed. You turned up in my feed this morning. Saw the headline and figured I’d learn something new, which I did. That coloured chord motion chart is a work of genius I’m working on extending my _harmonic vocabulary_ and what I call _internalising the feeling_ of those extended jazzy chords with all those sweet, or spicy, tension notes and how they are used. Get myself to the point where I hear something, feel it, and then the vocabulary comes out with something that describes it musically, and yes I refer to my theory when my ear lets me down. Now, I’m a bass player who impersonates a guitarist, so the chord stuff I really want to get down. Last night I was hanging with another bass player buddy and we were working through a song together, and there was a chord voicing on the guitar that I just couldn’t pick. It was the dominant #5 b9 chord made from a b7 3 #5 b9. I’d never come across this chord before, and my ears couldn’t quite pick it….so….I’d like to propose a new ratio for your musical analysis 65% vocabulary 20% theory 10% ear *5%* _help from someone on the internet that’s already figured it out_ Though I suspect that the ratio of the latter is much higher for less trained ears :-)

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

Also Subbed :-)

[@chrisburge9718]

I have never heard anyone explain it like this. This is mind🤯blowing for me. It is imperative that I subscribe to your channel.😄

[@dennyonkeyz]

I'm here 6:50 am in jamaica watching this awesome video love it...vocabulary is important

[@jessedanielsmith7430]

I am in love with this channel -- this is a breath of fresh air, I can tell that you are truly about it

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Thanks Jesse. I love it man! Much appreciated.

[@bbcocallaghan]

Great video. Essentially this is triangulation - using 3 inputs to find a result - ear, theory, and playing knowledge/experience

[@ceelothatmane9421]

I’m a guitarist and this was immensely helpful man. This has been the fruit I’ve been needing. I don’t need “tips and tricks” I need the philosophy behind the concept. That’s how you learn. Now I know what I need to do to keep up with my organist at church 😂😂😂 Time to build that chord vocab. I’ve been stuck in playing major and minors only. Rarely do I even use a dominant until recently when I started practicing jazz standards.

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Yeah gospel musicians use dominants differently than jazz… on average

[@batmonkey]

The Barry Harris method is a great approach to dominants, in my view. A very consistent model of chord theory overall, really valuable to learn it.

[@ceelothatmane9421]

@@batmonkey I'll take a look into it. Love his teaching style.

[@batmonkey]

@@ceelothatmane9421 there's a great guitar channel here called "Things I Learned From Barry Harris."

[@malcolmcampbell542]

Great explanation and demonstration of how to figure out chords using functional harmony.

[@rafaelevoramartorell]

Best harmony channel by far on KZbin.

[@claudiakramer4516]

As a person who's seen many sequences. I'm so glad you have a big red box that says bunch of dominant types because it could be a flat 9, sharp 11 Dom or whatever in that spot

[@maynardewm]

I have perfect pitch and have relied far too heavily on my ear all through music school. I don’t play piano very well, so I could pick up one note lines all day long, but with chords it takes me a bit because I’m trying to hear every note individually and I’m just slow at it. I would watch videos of other people with perfect pitch that are piano players and they could always hear it so quickly, and I was like “There must be another piece to the puzzle as to why they can figure it out so quickly and why it takes me a while.” Well, of course, they are piano players. They know the theory better than I do. They know the common voicings and patterns that I don’t pick up on as a saxophone player. I thought they just relied on their ears alone like I do sometimes, but there’s no way, even with perfect pitch, to hear 8 notes at once and being able to figure it out in an instant. You have to know the theory too.

[@GabriTell]

That's true. I have Perfect Pitch too, but even for someone with this 'power' it's pretty impossible to play every chord of a song by remembering each note individualy. People who play by Ear any song (both with Perfect Pitch and without) know a lot of chord-combinations and they know almost instantly which ones fit better or worse with the melody because they're masters, and have a lot of experiencie. I don't have the 'greatest' Perfect Pitch (so to speak). I hardly can recognise 3-4 Notes at once, but it helped me pretty much. Anyway, as you said, it's not good to rely only in your Ear; because even the best sense is limited compared to the Power of Knowledge. 👌✨️

[@PhillyJoeTones]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmSmk2SnrKiIrKs

[@jean-lucbersou758]

i don' think you have perfect pitch as you pretend ( active and passive ) WHICH is related to a formal and precoce education; It is a great advantage for transcription but doesn't make the virtuoso on the instrument . Only practicing till you can anticipate melodic and harmonic lines ( inner voices ) make you free .

[@jean-lucbersou758]

@@GabriTell From your statement you imagine you have perfect pitch but you don't have .

[@GabriTell]

@@jean-lucbersou758 Yes, I have it

[@skybeatsgh]

God bless you Sean

[@johndiraimo1444]

This is a fantastic video. Depending on the level of musician, "by ear" is often used by some musicians that don't (i) want to know theory (ii) have limited theory training but do not want to know more. I look at it as... having a great grasp of theoretical harmony can only but elevate your abilities and more importantly your possibilities for creating great compositions. Think of how we learn language... Wouldn't you rather know five different possibilities or options for phrasing a sentence than having only one because you HEARD it said that way? It's beyond me that this even has to be said.

[@cobusobrian]

This is a breakthrough for me! God bless Sean and family

[@landonmatthew]

I know people who this absolutely is true for, and it would benefit them greatly to use this approach over trying to develop their ear which is a weakness. I just don’t thing is broadly applicable, or one size fits all. the only problem is I know so many people who can do these things by ear without any hesitation, but they don’t have the vocabulary/theory knowledge to describe what’s happening. They have the gifting to translate from ear to hand without using the brain to consider what it means. Perfect pitch or great sense of relative pitch, as we call it.

[@DelaneyHF]

Yo Sean this is sooooo true! I'll send this out to all my students! Thank you for putting this up here and really showing how much more goes in to LISTENING (which combines both theory and vocabulary) instead of just hearing. Been a fan of you since the Cory Henry Tribute transcription and it's really dope to see you still putting out such good content!

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Appreciate it man, thanks so much!!

[@brainbrain542]

Yes, I’ve been doing that for years - using the theoretical principal to help figure things out. Never seen it broken down so scientifically.

[@darrylem6157]

This is one of the more sensible video on ear training without going all over the place! Great job sir!

[@BrianCameron]

Fantastic perspective. Thank you!

[@mr7clay]

This explains why I'm way better at hearing chords now (after 25y of building vocabulary and theory) despite losing a lot of top frequencies due to age.

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

There you go man!!

[@ermanevcil]

got me in, with 1 video ! :) very good tutorial and a new way of looking at an old subject thank you

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Glad it helped!

[@DevonOCase]

Honestly, I have been using a similar approach, but I never thought about it the way you explained it. It makes a lot of sense.

[@christophvonzastrow3532]

What you say is so intelligent and pleasant to listen to. Thank you.

[@fortissimoX]

Some time ago, I played in a band and we were playing a kind of jazz music. There was the beginning of one song that we just couldn't figure out the chords. It was a succession of few chords on accordion, and they sounded totally strange to us. I was friend with one very good classical pianist who also had a perfect pitch, and I was absolutely sure that he will pick up those chords in seconds. But, to my utmost surprise, when he heard that intro, he simply said "that's out of my domain". So yeah, ears, even when you have a perfect pitch, can help you only somewhat. Working on your musical knowledge, hopefully on a daily basis, is much more important! Thank you!

[@nathanlowkey7560]

Amazing video as usual Sean 🤯🔥 I have the impression that Sean is preparing something for us in 2023, even more qualitative learning and new decor..😆 it's going to be incredible 🔥🔥

[@jerrycordato3489]

Excellent teaching, Sean! Your explanation and demonstration was top-notch without getting “bogged down in the weeds”. God richly bless you.

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Appreciate it man!! Thanks for watching!

[@anthonyquintanilla4207]

Great watch!!! Although I don't play piano or keyboard the theoretical concepts taught are exceptional and help me in my music and overall understanding of music. Thanks for taking the time to share your videos.

[@_arman_]

This is the application of genius through teaching. Thank you.

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Doc! Much appreciated man!

[@jean-renebastienmauritiusi82]

Wow!!!...this is a BEAUTIFUL Music Lesson...GREAT PEDAGOGY !!!....Wonderful 2023 Gift....Sean, GOD Bless Your Generosity and Ministry

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Much appreciated thanks so much!

[@RetroPlus]

You are an excellent teacher, this is a top quality lesson

[@OLskewL]

Bro you have a great voice. Would love to hear your chilled voice read the Psalms or something.

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Lol, that’s funny man! 😂

[@thelphite1]

Bro, we want your chart, it's amazing good work !!

[@remyvegamedia]

Maaaaaaan. So well said. It's about MAKING SENSE of what you hear. I like how you demonstrated that principle.

[@samuelbreuer]

in the big chart the minor chords are blue and in the small chart from 2:11 the minor chords are green - you might want to use the same color :) Thanks for the great video!

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci beaucoup for this. I'm just starting out on the piano and am doing baby steps for now. This helped a lot.

[@samuelkissi6634]

Well explained👏. Thanks🙏 and more grace to yuh

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Thank you! You too!

[@stephenweigel]

This is such an important truth in ear training! I would almost go so far as to say that lots of ear training consists of knowing how to make the most educated guesses (especially in a xenharmonic/microtonal context)

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

This is an excellent point man. Some commenters think I’m devaluing the role of the ear. Quite the opposite, but you described what I have observed as well. Good points!

[@parkerchace]

Great tips!! That chart is amazing...

[@87morpheus11]

Great video. Made me reinterpret how I try to hear chords. I'm going to use what you said to help me with my ear training and how I approach it

[@nkemebenezer]

This explanation was really helpful Sir. Thank you lots

[@TinyMaths]

It's funny because the other day I was thinking about my journey into learning to make my music (which I was really bored with) sound more harmonically interesting. For a few years I was experimenting with chords and moving notes around. Eventually I started to come up with some really nice stuff; but they still needed context, and I think I got that from a whole lot of listening to the legends, i.e. listening to vocabulary. And at the base of it was trying to work within the limits of my theory knowledge. And I guess that's why things worked, and I was able to get some nice stuff happening. I've been on a break for a few years, but, when I was thinking about this the other day, I thought that when I go back my whole thing is to pay much more attention to the vocabulary of the musicians I enjoy the most. Studying in other areas, math for example, you realize that it's the understanding of theory, and seeing how it is used, the methods for solving problems over and over again, that helps you to become skilled in that area. I really dig what you're doing with your website; I'll have to avail myself of those resources once the itch to start practicing and playing again gets unbearable😄

[@JardeP]

I never thought of it like that but you're absolutely right. I learn stuff alot quicker once I know the kind of chords and harmonies they're using

[@keymaster9200]

Thanks for this man I always enjoy learning from your videos

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Appreciate it man!

[@RachChopin707]

Yo king this was GREAT!!!!!! This defintley helped me out!!!! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!!!

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Glad it helped! Thanks!

[@bdl77200]

Sometimes I wonder myself if Im pretty good to ear chords. Then, I’m feel very bad, feel like I can’t improve my skills.But after to see your video, I understand that I make exactly what your explain here 🥰 I just use my vocabulary and still learning this deep language. Thanks a lot bro’ to give strength and confidence in my learning and my skills 🙏🏾🙏🏾 god bless you

[@ryanfaussette2207]

That chart is a game changer

[@cwelchgrapes]

The best explanation I've heard about the.......EAR !.....bless you brother

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Appreciate it man!

[@David-hz8pf]

I can subscribe to your channel bcoz I can comprehend now. Your channel was too advanced for me before now. I had to study chords by myself. Your lessons make sense to me now. Cheers

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Glad to hear that man, been working on that

[@StratosFair]

Stumbled upon this through KZbin recommended, awesome content man ! Hopefully you will breakdown that chart sometime soon 🙌🏾

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

That's the plan!

[@drgruber57]

This is encouraging to hear. I find myself doing this more and more. I tell my students that considering all the chords in the world is like trying to place ten or eleven pegs in exactly the right holes in a huge board of open holes. Sort of like playing Battleship. But if someone comes along and tapes over all the holes that are not pertinent, you have greatly narrowed down the possibilities. Theory is like that person with the tape.

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Appreciate it man!!

[@SafeRetirement]

This was a brilliant video IMO. You gave me a specific approach that should speed up my learning the gospel chording (I come from a classical background). Thank you!

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Appreciate it man!! Thanks for watching!

[@Hemeltijd]

This is genuinely so helpful, thank you

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Glad it was helpful!

[@arthurhernandez1783]

This is the first time that I am watching your videos, and I'm really enjoying them and learning a great deal from them. If I may humbly suggest that when discussing seventh chords you use the proper enharmonic presentation. You mentioned an A-flat dominant chord, which would be Ab-C-Eb-Gb, correct? Yet, you referred to the Gb as an F#. This may be confusing to some. I look forward to more videos!

[@jgmb829]

I think the F# was more of what the software was showing, rather than him choosing it. If he said Gb when it showed F#, it would've confused a lot of viewers.

[@SammieDuncan-s9b]

Simply outstanding

[@thomasduer8340]

Question - 0:55 anybody know which video this was taken from? TIA

[@DCronk-qc6sn]

Crystal clear - thank you, professor!

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

You are welcome!

[@anatomicallymodernhuman5175]

well, it's definitely true that learning theory helps. You understand how the cords are functioning. That could be helpful in figuring out chord progressions. But I became obsessed with chords when I was about eight years old. And by the time I was 12, I could name chord changes by ear as they went by to a song I'd never heard before. But I didn't learn theory until I went to college. So it is possible to rely much more heavily on your ear. It's whatever works for you.

[@dtrelzmusic]

1-7-22-Wow just wow, this breakdown is really precise, detailed and just great! Man I got to get back into this classroom…

[@kevinpuliatch4539]

Beautiful lesson much gratitude

[@othinielkatembokainda294]

Sean ,You're the best and we need more of videos like this !!! Thanks alots to help us and grow in music

[@marvanhart]

I remember when Sean did the first video of this and Mike commented on it. VET:-Vocabulary-Ear-Theory This video is incredible and great example cuz that Mike Bereal chord was something else. Great job Sean

[@hermandavid1757]

This is so encouraging Sean!!!

[@vibrapkeys]

This lesson is a masterpiece Sean!! Thank you very much!

[@walterwa256]

Totally agree

[@siebenmusic]

Thanks Sean…. This video was good!!!! Thanks for all you do!

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Thanks man!!

[@TheSinlessAssassin]

Ah that makes sense. There are certain chords and often used melodies in music where if I recognize it, I recognize it. I don't know what key it's in, but I know the pattern of intervals based on having played similar things before.

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Yup, and the more you play it the more your ears will recognize it

[@prophecycampbell5133]

You actually look great thank you for all you do ❤

[@DanielSymphonies]

i just love these videos. they're on a very high level. been doing music for 30 years, but this still feels over my head sometimes. which is good! it's the best way to improve. thank you! and very soothing and calm talking style. great pianist. i have just uploaded my first two videos myself. shamefully but humbly mentioning it. it's for less advanced people than your videos, but for anybody interested i'd love if you check them out. anyway thanks again. hope you continue putting out videos about ear training

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Doc! Much appreciated man!

[@richardolynn]

S.Wilson is approaching G.O.A.T status as a music teacher.

[@musical_lolu4811]

Interesting chart there Sean. You're getting into what they call _harmonic syntax_ in music. Just off the cuff, on the left side I think you can add a couple more harmonies like the 'secondary dominant' there i.e. the 7th on the 2. Maybe also a 'cadential 6-4' which is basically a 1 chord slash 5 on the bass, which in gospel can be preceded by your m6 on the 4 or m7b5 on the 2 (same chord based on the mixolydian-b6). Nice!

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Hey great comment, yes I do have secondary dominants on the chart. It’s towards the bottom under minor but couldn’t be seen in the video. However, I could look at some of these cadences… I’ll do some research into “harmonic syntax”… don’t wanna reinvent the wheel too much… of course it needs to apply more to gospel style tho

[@musical_lolu4811]

@@SeanWilsonPiano for sure. Well there's nothing to the term harmonic syntax, it's just a fancy way of saying typical chord progressions in any given genre of music. Just like vocabulary refers to individual chords, syntax is how they happen together, sort of like a grammar. Music and language are so alike and I just love it!😃

[@protopottygames2648]

This explanation really clicked with me. Thanks for taking the time!

[@SeanWilsonPiano]

Glad it was helpful!