Synthwave Tutorial: How to Create Awesome Synth Chords

Thumbnail made by and courtesy of Emergency Russell, go check him out!
/ @emergencyrussell
1:24 Bass+melody
2:24 Chord voicings
2:51 Breakdown of voicings
Here's a quick hands-on tutorial on voicing some synthwave chords. We'll examine a simple progression (F, G, Am, C, F G Am, Em) and I'll show you one example of how I choose to play these chords. I'll use just one hand because, honestly, most synth pads are so "heavy" (they occupy a large portion of frequency space) that you don't need more than a few notes to create really great, full sounding chords. Hope you enjoy!

[@AnthonyLazaroMusic]

Very cool ! I'd love to see more of these "style-genre-type-chords" tutorials ! :D

[@beavisbunghole]

Me too

[@MangoldProject]

Any specific genres/styles?

[@AnthonyLazaroMusic]

@@MangoldProject R&B for example, plus I'm noticing in pop a lot of recurring playing patterns and stylistic effects :D

[@Bamblagram]

MangoldProject what would be cool is taking the same chords and showing multiple ways to make use of those chords (or taking a melody and showing the multiple ways to harmonize it), by applying different rhythms, harmonic context, and melody, etc. I think that would really give insight on the many directions you can take chords..

[@AnthonyLazaroMusic]

@@Bamblagram ok, that's genius ! :)

[@losalamos666]

Thanks for helping to get rid of my fear of dissonance! Now I really love the lusciousness and depth you can get out of these higher level voicings.

[@rafagroove9153]

This tutorial was dope and just gave me tons of different ideas for composing. Thank you very much for sharing you knowledge !

[@jmq1984]

this is awesome, more videos like this please!

[@AdamNoya]

Beautiful chord progression I loved that

[@NikosAravanis]

Thank you for the information. Good knowledge of chords will definitely help the process of creating such voicings

[@kingsouther]

MORE OF THIS PLEASE!!!!

[@SkaterJay789]

Ha never thought I’d see a synth wave tutorial by you, unexpected surprise but cool

[@raincells]

I play in an 80s New Wave tribute and these chord voicings sound great. Definitely give you the feel of that era. Just ad a string pad like you did, or a CS80 or DX7 and your good to go. Thank you for sharing.

[@MorgueOfficialMusic]

*you're

[@Jimmy-rd5ig]

@@MorgueOfficialMusic respectively, go pound sand.

[@philosophiaentis5612]

Thanks very much for adding the music sheet, it really helps people with classical background.

[@bastosel1125]

Simple and effective.. thank you so much for using only the white keys.. that’s make everything understandable for the others keys 🙏🏻

[@rendorwilliams9116]

This was great !! I especially like major 7ths, 2nds, sus4, occasionally a 6th. There's this thing about lingering notes that stay on a little longer than normal. But I'm not sure what to call it. Also, there can sometimes be a time-forward note, that comes in a little early, in anticipation of the next chord. But I'm not sure what to call that either.

[@juliansolo1825]

Awesome!! Thanks Mangold, this is a nice tutorial, love it. I would also be verry happy to see more synthwave style chords or more generally Real Emotion chords which I believe 80's pop style music where more focused on. Thanks again for your invaluable work, love the idea of a Mangold Jazz Piano Course online! Greating, Julian

[@hunter7476]

wow it sounds incredible !!!

[@goldblatalex7516]

great tutorial . i learn a lot from it and thanks for the nice imagery of the piano ! great!!!

[@hans_____]

There's so much here. I'm gonna have to watch it a few times.

[@PabloDeModeOfficial]

Awesome tutorial! Thank you

[@Selexo]

Sound wonderful, makes it look so easy. Great skill, this is really informative. Awesome tutorial.

[@renaissanceofra434]

Great! Sound incredible, good idea this polychord,, thanks a lot!

[@non-youtuber]

*HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!* 😀

[@dubsidebeats3399]

This really helps thank you 👌✌️

[@samroyproductions3476]

Keep up the good work man

[@HousePlant_Ambient]

Love love love this 💕

[@Fascotch]

Really nice

[@jaceface4026]

Judging by the types of chord voicings, I feel like Eric Whitacre would have fun messing around with Synthwave 😂

[@chadbierman8058]

Sweet thanks! God bless!

[@tayerobert6507]

Thanks Mr mango I love yo work

[@modwaver]

Nice! Thank you!

[@rensonnicor1225]

I was watching the chord progression, I accidentally made it into a House EDM.

[@harendotesabydos4619]

Always when I start a Hip Hop beat it ends in something like Synthwave

[@ivansoto9723]

@@harendotesabydos4619 When I start a house beat it always ends up a hip hop beat :/

[@_tsl]

@@ivansoto9723 Good… we only make hip hop in this house

[@jeremiahmathews4094]

id love to see more of this style tutorial possibly with a few explanations/general guidelines on when to use added voices/suspensions and how they generally resolve. i am familiar with basic common practice voicing techniques and chord progressions, but when it comes to these more sophisticated voicings, its all trial and error and going by ear for me. also, what is that lovely chorus sound?:)

[@MangoldProject]

I just used one of Roland's stock sounds on the RD-2000. I was actually not too happy with it, but it got the job done.

[@Pulse2AM]

Sus 2 mostly on 1 and 4 chords Sus 4 on 1 and 5 chords - most common though any chord can be a sus 4

[@ripplesr5655]

Thank you!

[@andimatrus]

Really cool!

[@robgod686]

Incredible and speechless! Fantastic voicing! Also the sounds are great! What sounds you're using?

[@rayderrich]

I love the sound of this progression but did not understand much of it. But who cares, as long as it inspires! Thank you.

[@MangoldProject]

Thanks Rayder. Inspiration is often as important as information.

[@ericstorm4613]

This is godsend!

[@zacheryedwards407]

good work

[@primitiveascendance1147]

That pad is gorgeous

[@MangoldProject]

Thanks to U-he and the sound designers he hires!

[@alp740]

thanks, master!

[@tabeshimafukushima8103]

thenks, that`s really helpfool

[@kaiwenchen3678]

Awesome

[@retrowaweru2180]

Нормально,сразу чувствуется дух 80-х!!!!

[@retroflash-fv1iu]

Ah man very nice ❤

[@iceybeats5012]

hey I love what you do, can I use the chord/note progressions for my own music? kindest regards

[@djdigital3806]

What synthenzier are you using? Educational 🤔

[@mr.whitecharls8705]

Super bro...

[@emergencyrussell]

Hey, that's my artwork in the thumbnail.

[@williamhealy6381]

Noice

[@Maniclout]

Very nice art sir

[@tiedyedakman017]

Emergency Russell it looks sick dude !!

[@CanalDojogames]

I love much synthwave musics and i was aking myself when i would start learning it... today is the day! Thank you for the amazing lesson! Do you have more synthwave lessons? I want to learn more and more! I want to compose for an RPG but synthwave wont come in much hand now.. because its medieval theme,but later on another chapter i will introduce futuristic theme and them synthwave will come on hand great as a glove 😁 For now its a love that i have for synthwave and those nostalgic 80-90s musics

[@MangoldProject]

I have a few synthwave pieces on the channel, but I don't really do synthwave videos regularly I'm afraid: kzbin.info/aero/PLP9cbwDiLzdKqBxdByqHd9uJx7VTHPDyW

[@robbelliii]

These chords sound great especially when played in this context, solo. In a band these complex chords are not required, they will be lost in the mix. The 80s were a simpler time. Not many knew these fancy “jazz chords” back then. I grew up playing in bands and was born in 71 so ask Mr how I know.

[@MangoldProject]

Fair enough - sometimes simplicity is called for. This depends on what else is present in the mix.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Brilliant. Spot on.

[@titovalasques]

Fancy meeting Geert Van Schlänger here. 😄🖖

[@junokarah3495]

You’re my favorite teacher on KZbin

[@MangoldProject]

Thanks Juno.

[@grandhustle8711]

Really helpful video. Can you do a Mike Dean tutorial? He is featured in the Moog One introduction video and the chords he‘s playing just amaze me every time. I was wondering what kind of chords those are and how to play them. The video is called Moog One - A Meditation On Listening and he appears at 6:32

[@martinaloiscio7090]

Hello, what sound of Ableton is that, or at leats, what sound could it look it? Thanks

[@Twinsuns2187]

Nice, would of been cool to hear it all together.

[@SewerTapes]

@MangoldProject Are you hitting some of the notes on the 8th bass beat?

[@110110010]

Thank you kind sir, you are a real human bean and a real hero

[@MangoldProject]

I'm also emotionally complex.

[@retroelysium]

More synthwave please!)

[@MangoldProject]

I've been thinking about making more synthwave content ... maybe I'll interleave it with my ongoing jazz piano series.

[@bikemaurice1953]

Brilliant o_o

[@pua333]

TY

[@BrandonMcBadass]

Aww hell yeah!

[@kenrunnels3891]

Sweet

[@musicalintentions]

fun!

[@theviolinoob]

wich app do you use to record keyboard and show graphics?

[@iambricko]

More videos like this please!!

[@ForMoodandSoul]

I am a complete nood to music creation :) where can I get a sound pack for synthwave? or how do I make it sound in that style? TY!!

[@paulmorris1834]

Could you do a video about Mitch murder? He has a lot of stabbing of chords and licks.

[@EminoMeneko]

Sounds great, could copy the notes but I don't seem to understand those. Why do they work ?

[@kenwiltshire7834]

Hi Mangold, I love all of your work. Do you ever plan on releasing DVD collections of your past vids, possibly assembled by the year of by the topic. I would really love to obtain your collections. Thanks so much for all you do.

[@MangoldProject]

Thanks Ken. No real plans, but I've been toying with the idea of creating a really systematic jazz piano course online (a "real" paid course, possibly with transcriptions). But don't hold your breath ...

[@arpadpenzes1255]

MangoldProject cy

[@mastermachetier5594]

What software are you using to show the chords and keys like that

[@ThiccboiBazuso]

Fuck I love this

[@adamdeuxieme]

I do like this video ! I'm fascinated by the chord you choice for the voices. I don't know how to find them... When I'm creating, I easily find notes for bassline and for melody, but for the voices it's difficult. Is it your software that show the chord or is it a footage ? It's soft and clean !

[@MangoldProject]

It's ChordieApp (not mine). Also, try my Jazz Piano Course series here on KZbin. The only way to get used to the voicings is to study theory in an organized manner.

[@adamdeuxieme]

@@MangoldProject Ok thank you 🙂

[@MangoldProject]

In case you're missing a bit of background, you can also view my "Piano Quickie" series (very short videos on basic concepts).

[@adamdeuxieme]

@@MangoldProject I think I will start by this, I'm not used to piano theory at all ^^

[@orrinbynum5978]

Hello. I enjoyed this video. This is the very first time that IU have watched one of your videos. Would you be kind enough to tell me where you get your sound from, for the chords you were playing and the Bass sound that you were playing as well. Your music sounds were wonderful to listen to. I absolutely love the sound that you used in this video and would love to acquirer some of those sounds. They were very soothing sounds. I want to thank you for making this video and introducing me to some of these sounds. I wish you continued success with your future videos and musical projects. I also wish you continued success financially as well. Have a wonderful day and week. Please keep making beautiful music.

[@MangoldProject]

I think in this video those sounds were all stock RD700GX piano sounds. They are by no means special. Any half-decent subtractive synthesizer will give you these sounds and much more (hardware or software).

[@itshugi549]

Hello. Whats the App that's showing the chords being played?

[@dennispors8722]

What kind of preset you have used for this? Sounds like a voice pad

[@dubsidebeats3399]

How can anyone dislike this

[@sumdim4741]

coool

[@non-youtuber]

What software is that has been showing the notes and the staff

[@MangoldProject]

ChordieApp.

[@xentiment6581]

stuff*

[@firstnamelastname6501]

@@xentiment6581 He actually meant "staff" not "stuff".

[@xentiment6581]

@@firstnamelastname6501 oh damnit xD

[@dubsidebeats3399]

GD lIlXentimentlIl 👏👏🤦‍♂️😆😆

[@MsZastra]

Coool

[@ozenz69]

How do you figure out these chords? I want learn the intuitive skill of figuring out amazing chords like this that rhythmically blend with one another

[@MangoldProject]

People aren't as creative as you think they are. Chord progressions repeat themselves across songs in many different ways and variations. The best way is to sit down and play/transcribe existing songs that you like and look for these patterns. Maybe I'll do a video on this at some point. The other thing you need to learn is thinking in terms of degrees rather than absolute chords. Try watching this video of mine: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKvYiJ-agbKqbKc

[@harmonicxmusic4087]

god

[@blueeyedsoulman]

Nice! What software are you using for the sounds or is that the Roland keyboard?

[@MangoldProject]

It's mostly u-He Hive.

[@r3gma]

Whats the software you're using at the top, which recognizes the notation and chords ?

[@MangoldProject]

ChordieApp

[@r3gma]

@@MangoldProject U Da Man!

[@reneeschke]

Is there something similar for iOS?

[@troyrose6102]

Awesome vid is the display we’re seeing a program if so what’s it called?

[@donboyfisher]

I’d like to know this as well, it looks really useful

[@stevenswisher4339]

What kinda of keyboard is this? Please respond! Thanks, great video

[@MangoldProject]

Played on the Roland RD2000.

[@charlesmartinjr3971]

Hahahahaha! "Go tension, go!" The music sounds great, but that won the video.

[@MangoldProject]

Did I really say that? I say the darndest things ...

[@cristianocaldas]

nice job, midi for dowload please

[@richardo1828]

Please tutorial settingan sound keyboard🙏🏻

[@ivmblade9736]

What is the software that tells you the chord with the description my kind sir?

[@MangoldProject]

ChordieApp.

[@francescopilato9574]

sorry but wich program do u use for thoose beautiful sounds?? :o

[@MangoldProject]

I'm pretty sure these are stock sounds on the RD2000 piano.

[@vokrom8676]

what is this piano called?

[@Digital_Renaissance81]

Can you share name of the program you use? you play chord and shows you right away

[@ricodomonkos3053]

www.chordieapp.com/

[@Piscifunalliym]

I would like to contact you with a question, do you have some contact info? Regards

[@FinalBoys1982]

How do you make that beautiful smooth bass?

[@MangoldProject]

You mean the actual sound? I just found it as a patch on the piano. I didn't make it.

[@jackellis1912]

@@MangoldProject But which one!?!?

[@MangoldProject]

@@jackellis1912 Oooooh, you know, I have no idea anymore ... I filmed this so long ago!

[@jonnihard1090]

*cries in 4 note polyphony*

[@Mdwed]

Just imagine add drums to this

[@DarthPingu07]

1:25 is that a sample of a song? 😍

[@azureskyz]

sound like something marshmello would produce!

[@non-youtuber]

Also what kind of keyboard do you have?!!!!

[@MangoldProject]

Happy Thanksgiving. I have an RD2000 (not a synth by any stretch). The app is ChordieApp.

[@non-youtuber]

@@MangoldProject the ROLAND 2000?!!!!

[@MangoldProject]

@@non-youtuber Yes, Roland RD2000.

[@codebus]

@@MangoldProject I have a Nord, neener neener neener! ;)

[@non-youtuber]

I'm getting the Roland Juno-DS Synthesizer for CHRISTMAS From Guitar Center!! 😀

[@parzival6419]

what plugin you use for the chords？

[@MangoldProject]

ChordieApp

[@parzival6419]

@@MangoldProject sorry i mean that synthetic sound not software

[@b3at2]

What program is that? Wich allows you to display notes like thiS?

[@MangoldProject]

ChordieApp

[@Maganayama]

Sounds like save your tears

[@MangoldProject]

Never heard them. I'll go check them out. But synthwave is inevitably derivative, so it's unavoidable pieces will sound similar to each other.

[@robertclerke7293]

What is the software you are using which shows the chord you are playing and the notation above? I would find that very useful for my reading practice.

[@MangoldProject]

ChordieApp.