Songs that change to the Parallel Key

The parallel key is the major or minor key based on the same tonic note. Switching between parallel keys introduces a change in tonal brightness and has a distinctive, curious sound to it.
The outro song is my "Study in Ebm Pentatonic" and is available on Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/0wKKJ... 🎶
And, an extra special thanks goes to Douglas Lind, Vidad Flowers, Ivan Pang, Waylon Fairbanks, Jon Dye, Austin Russell, Christopher Ryan, Toot & Paul Peijzel, the channel’s Patreon saints! 😇
SUPPORT ME ON PATREON: / davidbennettpiano 🎹

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks to Jam Cyphr for sponsoring this video. Find out more by heading to their Indiegogo page: www.indiegogo.com/projects/jam-cyphr 🎼🙂

[@sat1241]

Nice video. there is that related concept "Modal Interchange" Question: how does a song that changes between the relative minor? Not as complex since it uses the same notes but what are some song example's of this and how does it compare to the Parallel key change? I suppose the relative change from C Major would have to signal the change to minor by establishing an A as the lowest note in the transition as well as changing that one note in the V chord to a flat 7 to make the new new V to I sound proper. That's a big jump from a C basis to an A basis , a sixth. But what if it's CM to Dorian minor or Phrygian? I understand some of the theory here and have heard examples of the Parallel key change but I dont know what the examples are for a relative key change in a song. Is it done much or is the Parallel with the same root always better and is a modulation that is not relative usually better also? thanks

[@jeromesanbuenaventura2644]

I hope that i will be chosen. I really want to win that give away. 🥺❤️

[@towlie337]

This was very eye opening, love this concept thank you. Question though when you mentioned modal shift you presented all the modes. I am somewhat familiar with modes, still have a lot to learn about them, but I saw that you have major and minor in that graphic. In learning about modes I know that major is also called Ionian, what is the other name for minor?

[@umadragon]

@@towlie337 Aeolian Mode is the 6th degree and the relative minor.

[@user-hu3iy9gz5j]

Someone should make a "For example... by the BEATLES" compilation

[@sawcrab2249]

or a "and in Radiohead's"

[@PoisonWaffle3]

Yep, I was thinking the same thing! They were so brilliant and we're unafraid to experiment with interesting ideas!

[@Lorenzo_Gatto]

Or a drinkin game should be: every time you heard Radiohead or Beatles, you take a shot

[@LovecraftianGodsKiller]

@@Lorenzo_Gatto While bingeing watching Daniel Bennett's videos

[@bellowingsilence]

I mean, I think you could also make a whole parallel major example with just Beatles songs

[@ScrapPalletMan]

My next song I'm going to do from minor to parallel major. Seriously digging this

[@datavalisofficial8730]

I've been doing that for a long time without knowing about it lol When i first learned that all white keys could either C Major or A Minor i was like "hmmmmmm" And i used that "borrowed chord" method to change keys That V-I trick Edit: oh no, that isn't what the video is talking about lmao But im not gonna delete the comment

[@Rik-B]

@dataValis: That's called the relative minor/major, I think

[@Kyle-pz1yj]

Yeah can confirm, relative minor and relative major are essentially the same key and notes but start on different tonic notes. An example is C major and A minor. Both have no sharps or flats. Have fun learning the song!

[@drewmoorestuff]

This channel fucking RULES

[@ekinerdem2088]

@@datavalisofficial8730do you know a video about that? Csuse im also tryna do that right now 😅 but need the Theorie

[@rome8180]

David: "You know what? I think I might do a video without mentioning Radiohead." David's Lawyer: "Remember that contract you signed agreeing to talk about Radiohead at least once a video." David: "Damn, I thought that was just the Beatles." Davi'd Lawyer: "I've got the paperwork right here. If you don't mention Radiohead, Thom Yorke officially retains the rights to everything you create." David: (Muttering to self) "Why did I sign such a crazy contract?" (Pause. Sigh.) "So, uh, anyway, the Picardy third..."

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😂😂

[@secularZoo]

It's hard for me to not talk about Radiohead in 10 minutes of normal conversation so I can sympathize with David🤣

[@MomLAU]

A lot of references to Billie Eilish (sp?) also, although she's not mentioned in this one.

[@eldiablo8580]

I just watched a doco on The Turtles where this was discussed. Happy Together was written by professional songwriters Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon whereas Elenore was written by Howard Kaylan, The Turtles lead singer. After the success of Happy Together, their record company was pressing them to come up with another mega smash hit. Annoyed by this, Howard Kaylan thought he'd do the easiest thing and write a song that was the exact opposite, melodically, of Happy Together. Where that song's melody would descend, Elenore's would rise up and vice versa, note for note more or less. Kaylan thought he had created the most banal song from the most trivial method possible and specifically wanted to piss off his record company, but when they heard it, they actually loved it, and it became another huge hit for them in 1968. It's funny how I had just watched that KZbin

[@johnsalaman503]

Very kool..

[@katetanner28]

Oh wow, I can really hear that now that you've said it! So interesting

[@712toaster]

Looks like today’s gonna be a music theory conspiracy theory day :)

[@sophia4502]

And that is what’s called lowkey retrograding cuz basically retrograding means putting the music backwards with the same notes but just completely backwards so it’s basically that but yeah not but ykwim?😭👍🤙

[@eldiablo8580]

@@sophia4502 😂 ikwym

[@SeanMillea]

one day the next huge artist will credit you as one of the reasons theyre great

[@omkeeg]

The Beatles' "Fool on the Hill" is one of the ones I was expecting you to point out. Looks like they did a lot of these parallel key changes!

[@Lefty7788tinkatolli]

The "I'm Still Standing" example is very interesting. For the longest time I was trying to work out if that song was major or minor. It's both! Also, funny how the triumphant "happy" part of the song, the chorus, is actually in the minor key.

[@antoniofarina716]

Bb minor is very used for uplifting anime/Japanese videogame OSTs, it has a very emotional nature and I love it

[@NintendoFan214]

@@antoniofarina716 I doubt that has anything to do with that specific key, since all keys pretty much sound the same in 12-tone equal temperament, which is the tuning system that's most widespread nowadays.

[@antoniofarina716]

@@NintendoFan214 I still find that some keys have different feelings even though they're in the equal tempered system, it is very odd. Why is Dm considered the saddest key, why is Bm used in many reggae/funky songs? Think about it...

[@tim110-handle]

@@NintendoFan214 yes

[@NintendoFan214]

​@@antoniofarina716 I can kinda see where you're coming from. However, although there might be a key that is considered "the saddest", that doesn't mean that it really is. A tune in G minor can be just as sad, and a tune in D minor can be very uplifting. It all depends on more factors than just the key, such as tempo, rhythm, which instruments are used etc. We might tell ourselves that a specific key is the saddest, but in my opinion, such distinctions simply don't exist in 12 TET. However, you might listen to music differently than I do, so I don't want to disregard your feelings about this topic. The prevalence of certain keys in certain genres might just be due to sheer coincidence, or due to a musician just enjoying playing in that key because it suits his/her instrument well (for example, a violinist might prefer to play in keys like G major or D major, as these keys are more comfortable to play on the violin compared to other keys such as, say, A flat major). As for B minor being used a lot in reggae, I don't have an explanation for that. As I said, it might be coincidence, or it might be personal preference. But I really don't know.

[@grenvthompson]

'Effortlessly' by Madison Beer has a verse in C minor that speaks of depression, but then throws in a split second modulation to C major with the line "here's a little pill" before returning to C minor. Seems to imply the pill will make things better but finding out it actually doesn't. Quite a neat trick.

[@estebanb7166]

That’s the example you go with? Madison Beer?

[@grenvthompson]

@@estebanb7166 just a song i heard recently that used this technique. You can mock all you like, i don't care. Did you have anything positive to add to the conversation?

[@podgewillameow3949]

@@grenvthompson Here i got something Positive/negative to add. You are probably right. thing is....what is right? J ust trying to confuse the nothingstatement.......Hey, I'm not a priority profit maker....just get a marker.

[@samkniffen4760]

Bill Wurtz throws one of these in almost every song he makes Edit: His new song (More Than A Dream) changes to the parallel key for the bridge

[@flynnvanherwijnen7626]

David Benett could use 1 bill wurtz song for 3 years of content

[@AidanMThaggard]

Perfect Day by Lou Reed is a classic and beautifully evocative example of this… A Minor verse to A Major chorus just like While My Guitar Gently Weeps

[@drakeburnett7254]

“Lovefool” by The Cardigans has its verses in A minor and it’s chorus in A major, though both sound pretty bright despite the mode changes

[@fretboy33]

Dang, you beat me to it!👏👏👏

[@luckydubs8987]

the last chorus where it stays in major instead of resolving back to the minor is chef's kiss

[@cognitivedissonance8406]

@@luckydubs8987 A song constructed of nothing but hooks, dammit!

[@AusTheBassBoss]

I was just gonna say that! Lol!

[@justintroyka8855]

One of my favorite songs that does this is unsurprisingly by the Beatles - "Things We Said Today". The song is in A minor, with a bridge section in A major. I love it for the way it goes from the A major bridge back to the A minor verse: the chord sequence linking the two sections is B-Bb-Am. I love that downward chromatic motion!

[@autonomouscollective2599]

What I’ve always found interesting about “Things We Said Today” is how the lyrics for the bridge slides into the third verse as a single thought (or if you want, a single sentence.) I can’t think of another song that does that.

[@justintroyka8855]

Yes, I love that! I think there are several Beatles songs that do that, and probably other songs too. "You Can't Do That" comes to mind.

[@ChristophManuelJansen]

Great example. They did that even more on „I‘ll be back“, which also shifts between a minor and major

[@AppleCorp3]

@@justintroyka8855 they did that on “Baby’s In Black” as well coming out of the bridge: “…till she’s seen the mistake she has made, dear what can I do…”.

[@drewmoorestuff]

My brain awakened to the color of "Norwegian Wood" when you pointed out that the Chorus is Dorian. I don't know why. I've listened to that song for years and never quite viewed it sideways--not until you analyzed it. I love this channel.

[@gui18bif]

colour

[@saviourself676]

The Jam Cypher looks like it could unlock the 13 levels of hell.

[@misanthropicmusings4596]

KZbinrs like David Bennett Piano , Adam Neely and Rick Beato have really opened up my musical world and helped me to appreciate more the music I listen to. Thanks!!!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you! 😃😃

[@patepulkkinenvtec2403]

Another Elton John song that uses parallel minor is Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which goes from F major to F minor in the pre- and post-chorus sections.

[@Steveofthejungle8]

The Power of Love by Huey Lewis and the News is another song that’s minor in the verse, major in the chorus

[@chrishaughey648]

Gets me every time

[@MaquiladoraIII]

That last D major chord right at the very end of _I Love Her_ never fails to catch me by surprise.

[@corwin32]

That’s an interesting statement by Radiohead. “We hope you choke….Thank you everybody! You’ve been great! Have a good night!”

[@captbuscemi]

You’re assuming that Radiohead in any way acknowledge or banter with their audience, or even play in tune or in time at their live shows. My experience is that they do, in fact, sincerely hope that you choke; it would reaffirm their Art.

[@u2santos]

@@captbuscemi hahahaha that was savage

[@396TurboJet]

I listen to music by David Robidoux who composes for NFL Films. Listen to his piece called Title Run. It begins in the minor chord and then shifts to the major. I always thought of this as the minor chord representing the struggle (or tragedy) and the major chord representing the triumph.

[@deliusmyth5063]

“One Day I'll Fly Away” by Randy Crawford has a particularly satisfying change to the parallel minor.

[@cocuto864]

Poetica by Italian songwriter Cesare Cremonini is a 6/8 bluesy pop ballad that shifts from an Am key to A major in the choruses

[@claudiologiudice6831]

A song that features a change to the parallel key is “Love And Rain” by Jeff Lynne’s ELO (the verses are in G minor and the bridge is in G major)!

[@alexwebmch]

I think learning about parallel keys can really unlock your songwriting (pardon the pun!). When you realise how easy it is to transition from A/F#m to C/Am, it really starts to open a lot of other doors for you when it comes to modulation. Thanks for another great video, David 🙂

[@10acious_D]

"The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis and the News is another example. (verses in C minor, chorus in C major)

[@th.nd.r]

There are probably a ton of Muse examples but one that comes to mind is Bliss

[@HeroMonsterPS3]

Chorus of Falling Away With You starts on A major in the key of C (a minor)

[@firstname_lastname2]

Not Muse, but another song that reminds me of them is Choke by I Don’t Know How But They Found Me. Verses are in D minor and it switches to D major for the chorus

[@thefool2007]

Your teaching is so impressive. I enjoy and appreciate the level of detail and easy to understand explanations. I’ve played for years and learned quite a bit from these videos. My personal thanks.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you!

[@vincelahorra]

Been aware of this concept all these years, having been playing the following songs in gigs. Thanks to this video, now i know the correct musical term! 1. "Chega De Saudade" by Antonio Carlos Jobim (minor to major) 2. "My Favorite Things" by Rodgers & Hammerstein 3. the tango "El Choclo" by Ångel Villodo (minor to major) 4. "I Love Paris" by Cole Porter (minor to major) 5. "Begin the Beguine" by Cole Porter (maj to min, back to maj) 5. "Por Una Cabeza" by Carlos Gardel (major to minor) 6. "Under Paris Skies" by Hubert Giraud (minor to major, back to minor) 6. Theme from "Summer of '42" by Michel Legrand (minor to major, back to minor)

[@fluffyjimbles]

Arthur's Theme by Christopher Cross is another one. Intro/verses in D minor, chorus in D major.

[@lundajn]

All That She Wants by Ace of Base is a nice example of a song shifting from major to minor in the chorus.

[@mafebarrillari]

The first verse is in major and the second is in minor

[@toki_wartooth]

Great video as always, David. You're amazing.

[@bobsykes]

Hey, half a million subscribers! 🙏🙏🙏 No surprise, your channel is amazing. I’ve learned so much and enjoy listening to music even more than ever with the sort of knowledge and examples you present in all of these. Here’s to a million someday, soon!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks Bob!

[@jubran7469]

Loving it. Hearing the songs in spotify, pausing and returning to the video

[@pramodnaara]

I'm so grateful for this channel ❤️

[@SunshineMix101]

I learn so much from David's vids. I love them all.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you! 😀

[@composer7325]

Another excellent video ,thank you ,David.

[@timball8429]

Fascinating. Thanks David.

[@arklowrockz]

Marvellous little video sir. Making me want to go off and write a couple tunes to try it out!!

[@harveycooke9181]

Brilliant video David, absolutely songs that do this, another great Elton John song is harmony, ebm verse & eb maj for chorus, it just lifts the whole song to a beautiful place.

[@houseofshred3725]

So well explained, illustrated, and executed. Well done, man.

[@smoorej]

Brilliant. Crystal clear explanation with great examples. Thank you so much for the incredibly high quality videos you make.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you! 😃

[@lucianopazos286]

Your videos are gold. Thanks!

[@anshulanilgaur1118]

I am noob in music theory, I watch his videos to get some knowledge but mostly to get to know great songs that I hadn't heard before and also appreciate songs which I was already familiar with! Awesome videos dude

[@guitarnation7420]

BRAVO! What an excellent learning/teaching channel. I wish that I had had this information taught to me in this way, when I first started out as a musician/guitarist 33 + years ago. I absolutely LOVE your teaching approach and the very important music information you explore for your learning viewers. I'm always surfing KZbin both as a teacher and musician for new approaches to teaching my own students. I also consider myself a student of course, nomatter how long I've been playing. Yes ALWAYS a student. I don't believe that we ever truely master music entirely or our instruments for that matter, but this is a good thing, as it keeps us learning and exploring the wonderful a infinite world of music, which is never boring and full of surprises! Absolutely wonderful 👏 channel. Much success to you and please do keep up the good work. Peace.

[@JasonLeonPike]

Great stuff as always. Thank you.

[@guitarschoolnorthampton1870]

Top work. This video has been really helpful putting together my video for while my guitar gently weeps!

[@MildredStain]

@ 4:35 This common notes connection between parallel keys is something I hadn't realized yet. This is a gold nugget. Thank you!

[@t1p1may0]

That modal shift always reminds me of ‘ev’ry time we say goodbye’ which also does the whole word painting thing. Great vid!

[@AFNacapella]

great starting examples, never knew the parallel key shift was the Turtles' priden and joy etc. and Runaway's organ solo is totally underrated. especially when you add how flawless it eases off and supports the vocals.

[@jadelouisetidman7400]

Valuable! ThankYou

[@butchdugan]

One of the things I really love about your videos, is that you use so many Beatles and Radiohead songs as reference points. I’m a huge Beatles fan and I love Radiohead. I do especially enjoy the videos that use The Beatles. Although I’ve been playing piano for a very long time I am learning a lot from you! Thanks and please keep going. Im happy you’re a Beatles fan like me! Oh, and a Radiohead fan as well. Cheers!

[@sibionic]

I love your analysis of My Favourite Things.

[@itookacanuk]

My favorite video so far! I will watch the Modal Spectrum video next. I write songs for people to play and sing at our church and I have found by switching from Major to Mixolydian to Dorian to Minor, etc. that people new to their instrument can play songs with interesting changes without having to learn new chords.

[@AR-qn9mq]

Enjoyed that a lot, but lightbulb moment happened at 8 min mark. Now I'm itching to try out many combinations to see what I like. Thank you David.

[@ddaneh3090]

Brilliant video, as always.

[@robertharkins5737]

David, you are the music teacher we should have had in school.

[@angusfuller2344]

i love your videos so much, always bring joy to my day

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you Angus!

[@pastichemusic3568]

Congrats on reaching 500K 🎈🎈🎉🎉🎊🎊, I feel happy for you, you do so much great videos, making music theory available to everyone and also very understandable too, you deserve more subscribers.

[@davidh.8798]

That was very interesting. Thanks for posting.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks 😊

[@SeasickSailor76]

Great video! And it prompted me to revisit Nick's Drake music because I was reminded that he does this beautifully in Things Behind The Sun. The minor part of the song is extremely dark, and when the major part comes in, you can't help but feel joyful and relieved.

[@girlgeniusnyc272]

WOW! Thank you

[@guycortesi]

Thanks for providing all of this info. You certainly are a skilled in music theory.

[@visibletoallusersonyoutube9708]

This is so cool!

[@loveartevol]

Thank you brotha.

[@antoniomarine1567]

My favorite of your great videos so far! I learned something! As a self taught musician I prefer to rely on intuition rather than theory when listening to or composing music. As a byproduct of playing for so many years, I have of course picked up a lot of theory. I know all the songs mentioned in this video, and was aware of the key changes - but the concept of "parallel keys" is new to me. I like it! It would be fun to write a song based around this concept. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I think one of my songs does this already! Now I have a name for it! :)

[@johnnyalphabet]

Love your vids!

[@noahr4951]

These videos are awesome. I use them in my own writing. You're an inspiration.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you! 😃😃

[@jennw6809]

I do love that picardy-third like change in "Crazy." It really makes the song!

[@philippospratsos4198]

Amazing video. I love modal shifts and I’ll try to incorporate them into my playing!

[@z1reticuli]

The intro to Everyday I Love You Less and Less by Kaiser Chiefts is in major, but the chord staccatos at the beginning have a minor chord, that is why I love it

[@SocksWithSandals]

Fascinating analysis.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Cheers!

[@bman342a]

Yes, as soon as you started this I was thinking about My Favorite Things, and also that the melody works the same over both major and minor, though it reverts back to the minor in a few measures.

[@craigbirchfield417]

Notice 5200 likes and 15 negative. That's because David is one of the best music educators and analysts in the world.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Wow, thank you! 😃😃😃

[@Roymunson_]

Country Girl by CSNY does this at the end. The descending progression goes from minor to major when the last lines of the song are sung.

[@DeGuerre]

A few more popular music examples. "Io che non vivo (senza te)", known in English as "You don't have to say you love me". Probably the most famous version is by Dusty Springfield. "You Don’t Own Me" by Leslie Gore. "Funky Town" by Lipps Inc. "Runaway" by Dell Shannon. "While my guitar gently weeps" is yet another Beatles example. And a couple of classical examples: "Love is a plaintive song", from Iolanthe, by Gilbert and Sullivan. "All we like sheep", from Messiah by Handel. This isn't a verse/chorus change, but the whole finale changes to the parallel minor. Finally, spare a thought for "Happy" by Pharrell Williams. This song is in F, but F _what_, exactly? Probably F minor, but it's hard to say. It switches between minor feel and major feel so often.

[@avedic]

Of ALL the music theory tricks in the bag.....this might be my favorite. Something about it is just so satisfying. It's all very consonant....yet complex and interesting while not being overbearing. It's such a simple concept.....but when done right, it really works. :)

[@justdontgiveafukk]

Very interesting video. Thanks for sharing!

[@RicardoAldana1988]

Just simply the best musical theory content in the whole internet!

[@ChristophManuelJansen]

Wonderful video as always! I just realized that in german we seem to have mixed up the terms „relative“ and „parallel“. E.g. C major and A minor would be parallel keys.

[@morgancasey3223]

i am a simple woman. i see the beatles and elton john in the thumbnail, i click.

[@juanwehinger4457]

You should check out some Tango songs from Argentina! They usually change from one key to its parallel, it's awesome

[@tinmacedo1959]

Amazing video!

[@louiseogden1296]

I'm not a musician (although I studied the theory as a kid), but I've done visual and written art for a while. You can tell an artist's style from work to work and although recently I felt my work was just becoming a bit samey, I was encouraged by watching a KZbin video artist whose style was so pronounced I watched ten or fifteen short videos in quick succession...and realised despite the videos being in the same style, each was still their own work. I guess it's a bit of an obvious realisation, but having it crystallised was amazing. This post was inspired by this video and your time signature videos and hearing each artist wringing several different songs out of each signature or key. And it's wonderful :)))).

[@twocanucksful]

Great video. Thank you. 🙏 So much to learn…

[@AFRoSHEENT3ARCMICHAEL69]

I love how you give examples. More of that please. You can't find examples enough on here.

[@grgfrmnva3153]

I knew that I’m Still Standing had something weird about it’s chords, but never knew what it was called! Great video!

[@t0mboy1]

Congratulations on 500k🌹

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks!

[@braydenyonts3758]

Wow! I love all these songs. I didn't realize there was a pattern. :)

[@richardbuse228]

The old Beatles song "I'll Be Back" switches back and forth constantly.

[@StratsRUs]

The Parallel changes seems to be all a songwriter needs to explore.

[@michaeleaster1815]

Thanks for another excellent video, and congrats on 500k subs!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you!

[@mrarkane]

Midnight Oil's fantastic "Beds are burning" goes from Emaj to Em on the chorus for great impact!

[@FairMinded1]

'These Dreams' by Jim Croce. The verses are d minor. The pre-chorus and chorus are d major. The music somehow gets sadder when it transitions to the major. Such a great effect.

[@cowboybob7093]

The Beatles _Things We Said Today_ is the song that brought the concept to my attention, even though I didn't know what it really was for 25 years and my professional musician GF told me the that I was led astray by an old roommate, 25 years earlier, who told me "it changes to chromatic." But that does say something about how vivid the key change is as it enters the chorus from Am to AM.

[@samuelbeltrami5647]

Italian songwriter Adriano Celentano loves to shift between major and minor in his songs!

[@stevesrover]

I do rather like these technical videos. I’ve written a few songs but have no idea why the chord progressions work. Now I’m starting to learn why.

[@bigmonkey3089]

These videos are so awesome

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you! 😃

[@panosmosproductions3230]

The essential building blocks of a tango are the 1… & 3, 4 rhythm, and switching back and forth between minor and parallel major (and sometimes vice versa).

[@bryanchandler3486]

A cool example of this is My Favorite Things, where the first verse is minor but the subsequent verses are major!

[@bryanchandler3486]

oh lol you include this example I just hadnt gotten there yet