How to write Chords and Songs in Minor [Songwriting Basics / Music Theory]

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

00:49 Building the Scale 01:24 Building the Chords 02:35 Using i VII and VI 04:48 Brighter Minor and SFCP 07:00 Dominant Chord 08:55 Andalusian Cadence 09:47 Let's Write! 11:30 The Diminished Chord 12:50 Final Thoughts

[@jasoncavitt2043]

Reliance on dominant fifth chords in Aeolian progressions sounds cliched and invites stagnation. Since Aeolian's v chord comes from Phrygian, why not try staying in the key and using a susb2, 7susb2, maddb9, or mb9? You're trading that half step resolution (from the third of the V7 chord to the root of the i chord) for harmonic purity, and the tritone between the b2/b9 and the P5 produces just as much tension as a dominant chord.

[@jasoncavitt2043]

You've got an awesome channel, by the way!

[@MarcDufresneosorusrex]

07:00 min love the way you use the word "home" !! gob less

[@hørizon-open]

Signals Music Studio *

[@anonymousa6070]

Come on dude! Why don't you create your own full guitar master class on Udemy or any other online platform?? You teach everything better than anyone else on KZbin. People like me will ofcourse take the course.

[@andrewnicorn]

This guy's got the best lessons around right now. Really well thought out approach to delivering the information in a useful way.

[@KipIngram]

I think Jake and Steve Stine are the best guitar instruction around right now. They're different - not a whole lot of overlap, but both are just supremely excellent.

[@jamiepach5845]

yeh

[@jollyvoqar195]

Great content, great presentation - lots of great info without excessive babbling and with pertinent and useful insights and examples. As I watch this video it's about 2 years old now. It's interesting how great content like this can just pop up. IMO this topic isn't touched on nearly enough.

[@boggedferngaming1821]

He still has the best lessons

[@Geotubest]

His name is Jake.

[@fairnenough]

this one tutorial literally answered every question i've had for the last 2 months on building progressions. this dude rocks

[@AstorSkywalker]

so that's why my compositions sound too happy!!! great video Jake!!! Thank you!!!

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

Honestly, he's really great. I've been playing for 30 years and I'm learning all kinds of things from him. I can't believe this stuff is free. He does have a paid masterclass but I don't know what he could possible teach you there that you don't get for free. His chord theory videos are so good. Also, maybe this is a bit egocentric on my part. I don't know. But given that you haven't been playing long I thought I'd copy and paste my comment. I thought it was a good one and I thought it was helpful. So let me know If you agree. Also, try changing it halfway through. So like, when he was playing D/ Em/ C/ Em/ do that once, then the next time around maybe it could go D/ Em/ C/ D/. Put that all together and that's a solid little verse. It's actually kind of nice. I'll give it to whoever wants to use it though. Lol. I stake no claim and I can't take you to court when you have a big hit.

[@samuelbi11]

​@@PaulTheSkepticThanks man lol

[@MarcasLancaster]

Clear, unpretentious and generous. What a great teacher you are.

[@095it4io4i]

i know im late but the fact that this man gives full blown professional lessons in such an easy and understandable way FOR FREE just blows my mind. keep up the great work 🎸

[@laurengreen8595]

The best!! I've only just discovered Signals and I've learned more music theory from a few free youtube videos that what I'd previously learned in a lifetime of paid music lessons! Loving it! I'm going to sign up to his theory and songwriting course for sure!!

[@procrast]

while some channels tend to talk about theory to explain music I prefer when you use music to explain theory. It's much more intelligent and useful. just think about it - anyone who listens to music, even without knowing theory has already experienced most of the sonic sensations that gave birth to all the musical theory. It's just a matter of connecting the dots, to associate one thing with the other. your approach excels at it.

[@trevorjenkins3136]

Yea once you have learned all of the rules, you know which ones you can break.

[@trevorjenkins3136]

Musically speaking, drama!

[@popcornfilms1]

This is so true. I’ve been sifting through so many channels which underutilise the very thing music is. SOUND. Energy. Some damn movement.

[@drraug]

I am 40+ yo today and I wrote my first song thanks to this video. Sure, information on scales can be found everywhere, but your calm and determined reassurance at the beginning of the video is what makes all the difference for me. Thank you!

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

congratulations on your first song! and thank you for the nice words :)

[@molotulo8808]

You did your song in natural minor or harmonic minor?

[@GhostToast_Toons]

you're so good at making these videos man. Very comprehensive. Thank you.

[@fabiocaetanofigueiredo1353]

The best, indeed

[@pratushsingh]

The best!

[@aedanbrady1861]

Obama toast

[@brycebradleywhite8861]

Yes, for real. Everything is clear and well instructed. I've been on a hiatus from playing since the summer but now I feel those butterflies again thanks to his videos. Thank you sir!

[@brycebradleywhite8861]

last summer*

[@aidantobin6147]

As a self taught guitarist for about a year now, this guy is SO HELPFUL. He teaches in such an easily understandable way and in bite sized lessons. It’s perfect.

[@caligaselcabron]

It's so hard to find people like you that deconstruct music theory in such an easy way. Thank you very much!

[@LilMaharaja]

Wow !! Thank you so much ... Not everyone can explain it that well.

[@filipfigiel7601]

Your lessons on chord progressions are fantastic! It helps a lot

[@filipfigiel7601]

Especially the modal interchanges, like here on v chord. Great stuff!

[@nhproductions1895]

Thought you were stevie t first

[@toddmichaeljohnson7139]

I agree.

[@Cookingkala_]

I mistook u for stevie t

[@ladykfilmartproductions273]

Best music teacher on the internet because he explains so very well and his voice is calming and clear and he doesn't goof around and waste time like so many others do. Thank you for the gift you've given us.... so appreciated! ❤

[@lepassant478]

Him : Minor is more fun KZbin : DEMONITEZED

[@vitamin9165]

@Unsesquipedalian why did the guitarist go to jail

[@KipIngram]

@Unsesquipedalian Hey man, I read it the way you meant it.

[@tuipaopao]

Unsesquipedalian The more creative and inappropriate use is, being a wind instrument player and also doing the lick both literally (tonguing, duh), and figuratively (solo lick).

[@jayzcoverz1809]

@@tuipaopao หะ?

[@tuipaopao]

@@jayzcoverz1809 ตัดลิ้น

[@tazador793]

I must say for someone who plays by ear & has always found theory beyond my attention span, this is a masterclass.

[@ThatsJoshTyler]

I cant get over how GREAT your examples are. And the effort alone into the examples is insane!! Love it

[@raysmith8249]

I like the way that you teach. I teach too, and I'm always interested in seeing the approach that other teachers take. Your approach is very accessible and rather empowering. Thank you.

[@rv6984]

"campfire music" lol. It's so great to hear someone who really knows their stuff make casual analogies like that :D

[@draetonalimoffatt8780]

With the exception of some jazz musicians I find most people who become very proficient in music to be very friendly and humble. Jazz elitists are certainly a thing but the elitist usually aren't even the best jazz players, they just spent a lot of time practicing and want some form of validation for that time spent.

[@yessir6427]

@@draetonalimoffatt8780 you mean they are cunts

[@Blindzebra86]

This is legit one of the best guitar tutorial videos I've ever seen on KZbin. no bullshit, straight to the point with clear examples and plenty of theory.

[@Blindzebra86]

@Zayricch I think he just means add the 7th note of that scale to the chord but just make it major.

[@chrisjoosten9819]

Jake, I've been playing guitar for 30 years. And trying to teach other people stuff can be kind of hard. Especially using the right phrases and analogies. But you make it very very easy to understand. Even some of your basic '1st step' videos I still watch and learn a lot from. You're a great musician, and an EXCELLENT teacher.

You have an amazing talent to put this so straight that even I can understand it. Thank You for that. I think you should continue with Songwriting Basics until we get to Songwriting expert :):) The best theory lessons on YT so far...

[@joseph-ow1hf]

Jake is my music theory/songwriting guru. Enough of a fan to become a supporter. Not only great lessons, he is a very personable presenter with a sense of humor. Kinda the professor you always hoped you'd get in school. This is the best side of the intention of the internet. Makes you glad for the existence of KZbin

[@flexconception4179]

It was due to your videos that I have been able to compose songs in such a systematic fashion. I was never too confident with my understanding, but I have been able to improve upon what you gave me. Thank you so much and you are the bomb!

[@JonValtandtheEvilRobots]

The more I continue to learn about music, the more I return to your videos for reminders of things I’ve forgotten. And I can take those tidbits and apply them like I couldn’t the first time I’d watched the video. Thank you for all the work you’ve done!

[@abhushan88]

Look mom, i'm writing my own songs

[@f67739]

this channel is a godsend for any music genre thank you signals

[@randelltuttle143]

Not sure why this is funny but it made me lol.

[@Wouterferdinand]

:)

[@racheltattersall337]

Who needs love now, Mum? Mum?

[@GuisoBoy]

Without hands :D

[@Medic6581]

Dude - you rock. Much love to you and yours

[@Allyoutubersarewrong]

For 25 years I wondered about the G major/ E minor scale as an example. I was spending too much time on the G chord and that’s why it sounded so happy. Finally got it.

[@robinhood480]

Well, good. Are you happy now ? Oops 😬. Uh... satisfied?

[@twocents6363]

I have been playing guitar for years. I love learning. You are one of my favorite teachers. I taught public school for 30 years. You are a naturally gifted teacher. I wish you had more content. I am subscribed on you tube. It’s probably just me. Keep it up.

[@mikaalwaters2172]

There are a billion comments here to the extent that i had to stop reading. They pretty much echo the same sentiment - you sir, are at the top of the theory teaching game!! I fully agree, which is why I am taking the time to add my accolades to the mix. I have trolled KZbin for several months now, seeking clear explanations of basic music theory foundations. I don’t need to look any further. You are it my good man. Thank you for your brilliant efforts (which you make seem effortless for you).

[@Matthew-ne1xc]

I have played guitar for seven years, and I couldn't write any chord progressions until today, for seven years! Thank you so much, you have inspired me to keep playing, now that I know what I'm doing, and how to get the sound I want. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I learned more in the first 2 and a half minutes of the video than I did in 4 years on my own and 3 with a teacher.

[@piotr803]

“Your ear will reset” that is a perfect metaphor for what it is

[@polyfloralhoney]

Just wow. The quality and information this video has

[@Batmanshypeman]

I can’t express how much I’m happy I found this channel I’m right at the point in my guitar learning where writing my own stuff is more interesting then doing other people stuff note for note and in combination with everything else on this channel you’re basically learning everything you need to start your own music catalog

[@AlaMadrid75]

I think your videos are great. I really enjoyed them. You simplified everything enough to understand whatever it is you are talking about. I’m picking up my guitar after 25 years. I relearning everything again and you been great help. Thanks so much

[@MrMetalhorse]

Minor is more METAL!

[@flaflu82]

Actually, Locrian.

[@chromaticswing9199]

What about atonal? Gotta love technical death metal. But honestly, great songwriters can make anything sound metal.

[@A..lie..sha3]

Chromatic Swing black crown initiate?

[@chromaticswing9199]

Never heard of them, but they sound interesting.

[@A..lie..sha3]

They are my favorite band right now

[@danm8821]

Out of the dozens of guitar channels I have watched, This channel is the first channel I search when I want to explore a new topic. The videos are very well thought out. They are the best of both worlds, they give all the practical knowledge to put it to good use and a good fundamental understanding of the theory behind it. Some channels don't understand that the most impressive indicators of understanding the material is being able to distill it down to the essentials with context, not reciting textbook theory ad nauseam.

[@michaelberentz6128]

great lecture. no commercial bullshit going on, just compressed tight good information. despite the amount of information, the way you present it is actually very easy to understand. thank you!

[@baseradius3907]

Dude, you're putting 1000's of dollars worth of knowledge for free! I mean, that is a proper legacy you're building there! And you explain things so beautifully - I have been trying really hard for many years to 'understand music theory', everything usually came to me "gutsy" and I never understood why things are the way they are.... but I'm finally able to understand a tonne of cool theory... Polyrhythms, polymeters, the 'cadence', the idea of 'creating tension to pull back to the home chord' and in fact, i am finally understanding what it really means to play a song in a certain key ! Thanks a lot! I'm definitely going to be your patreon!

[@nahuel6136]

9:08 for some reason that progression REALLY sounds like everything I heard in my whole life, specially in my childhood, like it sounds like I heard it millions of times in movies or cartoons

[@stevewinter9758]

Thanks

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

thank you!

[@RandomVelocity]

You have a voice for radio. Did you ever pursue being a radio DJ?

[@proculusjulius7035]

@Vatsal Payaal hahaha that's good.

[@SagarSagar-ro3fj]

Making youtube videos is an art..its content n delivery that makes ppl stick to video..you have achieved that

[@Jordan-ot7qf]

JAKE. LISTEN UP TEACH. 😆😜☺️ You are by far. The most practical, fluent, thourough, and down to earth music teacher a lot of us will ever have. Thank you for all that you have invested, for us. I have invested so many hours in your channel over so many years. This year, I’m wrapping up some advanced stuff, but have such a solid foundation thanks to each video you put out. Now onto flamenco! Sincerely- thank you man!

[@motafov]

Lots of great youtuber teachers out there, but this guy is my favorite in terms of total content package and delivery

[@DonBonin]

And if this music thing doesn't work out, you can just be a vocal broadcaster, voice over etc - you have an amazing voice!

[@marcosmauriello8259]

I have been selflearning music all my life.And u are basically the only teacher i will credit off.YOU ROCK, never stop teaching bro.

[@Hsmwihs2]

Keep up the dope content!

[@alexisalvarez6336]

Thanks for this encouraging video. You are one of the Bob Rosses of KZbin.

[@MarcoCirillo]

Which type of editing software is this?

[@deltavistastudio124]

He uses Reason, but any DAW works.

[@dakshkant3523]

Holy shit Marco Cirillo was here.

[@akaHermanSnerd]

@@dakshkant3523 I just discovered Marco's channel recently. Very good stuff! I wish I had this much information available to me back in the 80s when I first started playing. It would have made a world of difference.

[@walterwhite4699]

Wtf you? Here?

[@MrMllx]

Reason is amazing if you are into sound design

[@induhgo_]

Dude you’re the best teacher. First dude I found online that made it so simple and fun to learn. I love that Pirate Shanty video even though I’ll prob never make that but fuck it was fun! Bless you man.

[@avedic]

Thanks for this! Honestly, this really helped. I'm 35 and have played guitar since I was 20...and I write songs and am obsessed with music theory _and_ getting to the point where I can just absorb all that, not think about it, and intuitively write. But........I've always had one major hang up, and that is....writing in a minor key. I don't know what it is...but I've always found it kinda daunting and UN-intuitive. So this helped a lot actually. Thanks! You got a great thing going on this channel. I'm a recent subscriber, and I'm really loving your content.

[@EclipsianVanadis]

A nice mind hack to consider is to think of it as a major key but with the tonic on the vi scale degree.

[@augusto7681]

I think thats the problem. When you see minor scale that way your choice of chords tend to go to major and it is "UN-intuitive". I think the best way (if you play piano) is to play C major scale then C minor scale and compare how some chord change. The III become major and the IV become minor and other sutff.

[@alvisespano]

Jake, your videos are the best, let me tell you straight. You're the clearest and your way of explaining is organic, logical and well organized. The best channel for learning new stuff on YT. Period.

[@chtaea]

I think that you could do a video on filing your taxes, and it would still be awesome. Seriously, thank you for all of the hard work and time that you put into these videos. I have learned a ton.

[@soulrelaxlife720]

Yeah...with that voice...ever reading the supermarket list will be inspiring and instructional....the problem is I don t know if an onion is minor or major...

[@mike-ue4wy]

100% agree. Seriously, I need help with my taxes.

[@ThatsJoshTyler]

I just found your channel today… and the fact that you teach and show examples of really good music that people WANT to make.. vs some example that no one would actually make. Thank you so much dude!!

[@suzanka19]

You are an incredible teacher! Probably the clearest, most concise chord progression guitar video I’ve stumbled upon. Thank you so much!

[@nicholasscott1206]

Nobody makes things make sense... you make them simple & applicable. You the man.

[@dakotastrout1733]

This is exactly what I have been looking for, for years

[@manplusguitar]

Same! 😁

[@dsmiley33157]

There are so many gems containef in this video that I lost count. Excellent job, great presentation. Thanks for putting it together

[@mjtrace8391]

Whenever i get in a rut i go back to this channel and get more songwriting motivation. Love this channel.

[@darrelltessman4133]

Don't know why I haven't found your channel earlier than now. Your prestation of material, pacing, and execution is excellent! I've pinned this channel on top of all my bookmarks. Guess I live here now. Thank you for your time and effort.

[@headvanpire7987]

Fantastic...thank you for being so put together.great delivery made it easy to watch and understand.

[@jimscobie6646]

C, A, and E walk into a bar. The bartender says " sorry, we don't serve to minors."

[@jonassholmberg8071]

Why did C, E and A hurl when on the boat? They were C6.

[@josemariareyes3448]

James Scobie Nice one

[@charlespeterson3798]

A relative minor, a Morman wife.

[@christophermerrill9443]

Alternative punchline: "sorry, we don't serve to a minor"

[@blackcitadel37]

C said "A is my relative".

[@cleberpassanante5045]

I just can't believe that you actually do the work you do. This is SO well explained, so clear, you even take the time to write the timings in the comments. Wow. Just wow. Thank you so much

[@yoatzinpenaflor1262]

Little outa tune today? GREAT VIDEO as always.

[@Damarios123321]

This man just singlehandedly fixed my years-long song-writing issues.

[@JoseIsraelMusic]

Can we get a “How to Djent in Major” video ?

[@wadecarefully]

Jose C. Check out Vola. They already did it.

[@StoneFree-rr8cu]

Jose C. Fuck off

[@yearnpill]

StoneFree 2110 no u

[@yearnpill]

go nuts Same

[@PhoenixFlight94]

Phrygian dominant is the best way. It's a major scale with a flat 2 for your 0000001 fun

[@iamthereforeimustbe]

Your explanations are second to none. Thank you. After watching so many videos on modes and becoming more mystified by them, yours clarified it in such simple terms and examples. This has now given me a much better understanding song structure and minor keys. 🙏🏻

[@hyalinamusic18]

That E minor to B7 reminds me of Hotel California. Anyone else? And thanks for this, I've been wondering how to pick chords in minor keys. Thanks!

[@zashtozaboga]

yes

[@mehoymiboy2122]

Yeah it’s actually the root (Em) and leading chord (B7) in the acoustic arpeggiated section!

[@loka9422]

also reminds me of baby one more time

[@gustavomarques4097]

Hotel California is in the key of Bm though. Don Felder later explained that he wrote the chord progression in Em but that was too high for Don Henley's singing. So they used a lower key to fit his vocal tessiture.

[@XtrimUniverse]

How may I express my respect for you and this lesson. Just the exact trigger I needed to unblock the way of writing my own song.

[@anthonyballard6691]

Damn! This guy is GOOD! Not everyone can teach! HE CAN!

[@zenguitarankh]

It's well known that someone can know how to do it but teaching it is a whole other world and dude...I've had college level music teachers who can't explain and break down the concepts like you do and plus you do it without an aloof "look how tenured I am" arrogance. You've cleared up a lot of things for me man. Thanks.

[@xc3779]

I agree

[@isuck6049]

about the thumbnail or the video? 🤨

[@matrixate]

I've been composing for years and you truly understand some of the theory that I've come to discover by trial and error. By far, your videos are the most helpful of all the ones published. If you guys want to learn actual theory quickly, follow this channel and study everything mentioned.

[@nino-ciampa]

12:38 Anyone else thinkin' wedding march?

[@Poetry-cigarettes-coffee]

Hey dude, I don't know if anyone's ever said this to you but you have the coolest voice man. You sound a like an apocalyptic radio DJ, like, no joke if the world was crumbling and I was just listening to you doing a radio show I'd think everything's gonna be alright. Love your videos my guy, learnt so much from you over the years. Big love

[@thesullivanstreetproject]

You deserve 100 times more subscribers than you have...

[@Rosonicole]

Idk how it took me so long to wrap my head around this. For some reason I got it immediately once you played it out the way you did! Thank you so muchhhhhhhh

[@bryanyasuhara2994]

So, you don't have to start on the root like your major key lesson?

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

You don't -have- to, but you will have to make sure that the root feels like the root. The best way to do that is to start on it, but you can also get away with progressions that just use lots of the i chord. VI-VII-i-i for example has enough of the i for it to feel like home, that progression doesn't really want to end on VI (though it could for an unresolved sort of ending). Ultimately there are no rules here, these are just guidelines to help you get a good sound that you can enjoy. If it isn't actually in minor but it still sounds good, that's totally fine!

[@johnsharp6174]

This is the best illumination/tutorial I have ever seen on chords and songwriting. I have been floundering trying to understand keys and chord progressions in relation to song writing. I can produce songs as lyrics easily but can never put them to music. Now at last I have a way

[@Kyleology]

Gamma Ray and other power metal is mainly major scales.

[@hatebreeder999]

No they are minor with lots of major chords in progression

[@willembritz4666]

You make it very sensible. This is amazing actually. Thank you!

[@Aphex083]

8:30 "Foule Sentimentale" - Alain Souchon

[@GodsStoryteller]

You remain a huge gift to a learner. God bless and reward you for featuring in my learning journey.

[@grid7773]

Thumbnail Says Minor is more Fun, nope that's a crime

[@Stellarainn]

🤣

[@ReformedSooner24]

Kirby’s calling the police

[@FC-xc3zy]

This guy is the best music teacher I have ever heard....Has a million dollar voice as well to boot....

[@tristanperciful6609]

11:14 his pinky does the worm

[@bartbraverman5979]

I'm just learning, and I play piano, not guitar, but Jake Lizzio's riffs on theory are superb. Makes it easy to understand, brings it home. Thanks.

[@ecuadortheconstructionwork3835]

When I hear Em - B7, I think of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley, during the bridge.

[@footlongsubzero1128]

Sweet! I've learnt so much in this video. Thanks so much man🤙

[@kierenmoore3236]

At 7:08, the F should be an F#?

[@kierenmoore3236]

And at 8:20

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

GAHHHH! Yes... cant believe that slipped past me. One day ill post a video with no errors in it

[@kierenmoore3236]

;) ... It was a great video, as always, thanks!! Just the kinds of typos you can't pick up yourself (Like the odd V instead of V7, or 'Diminished Circle' instead of 'Half-diminished slash-circle'', especially when you want to get it OUT there!! No substitute for a second pair of eyes/'editor'.

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

Absolutely true... I'm always in such a rush to get things posted that things like this often slip my attention. The reason for the error is that I have to put that # sign in there as a separate text box so it doesn't screw up the kerning of the letters of the scale. When i copy and pasted the bigger text box over, I guess I completely forgot to include the #.

[@STOGBROON]

I have been playing guitar for 40 years and learned a lot but still had loads of stumbling blocks that I couldn't get past.... Until now. This guys knowledge is awsome and the way he gets his point across is easy to understand. There's a lot of good teachers out there but I think I've found mine.

[@damonbrown5424]

That reminds me that if - in addition to subbing in a V - you also sub in a IV, you'll end up with a red door that you'll almost certainly want to paint black. Especially in E minor...

[@rishim6816]

You are just too good man!! All videos are sort of a crash course into some serious music. Love 'em all.. THANKS!! Only thing where I seem to differ from others is the Major-Happy, Minor-Sad/dark theory. I find the minor chords bring in 'emotion' which is absent in major chords. Minor chords are ingredients that connect your music with your audience.

[@chromosomalride8210]

Mans out here talking about ii-V-i’s without mentioning jazz

[@Koest2Koest]

14:23 in length, ~13:45 in knowledge Thank you for your efficient and effective lessons.

[@gassug2]

2:45 today is gonna be the day that they're gonna throw it back to you

[@michaelpal7641]

I was surfing You Tube on my Roku box-I found your channel. All I can say is FINALLY!!! I Found someone who makes sense!!! Subscribed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@vexphoto]

Another great video. BTW: The guitar is a little out of tune.

[@stephaniejane-music]

Been watching your lessons for a few weeks now and I have to say they have been extremely helpful and I am producing music so much better than I ever have. I have never been great with my music theory until now. Oh and minor is more fun🤣😁

[@ibanezrg7421]

I close my eyes and pretend that Mike Rowe is teaching me how to play guitar.