Using Secondary Dominants to Spice up Your Chord Progressions

[@zombieguitar]

If you like these lessons, definitely check out www.zombieguitar.com/ It is a one-of-a-kind site dedicated to helping guitarists to understand the fretboard and create their own music. You will love it!!

[@michaelsmusic3532]

A one-of-a-kind site ??? That's like saying the ocean is moist ! Zombie Guitar is by far the clearest most informative website that I have ever had the enjoyment of learning from. I've learned more from this website that I've learned in the past 40+ years that I've been playing music !!! ~ Michael C #1 Zombie fan !!!

[@lukather1]

@@michaelsmusic3532 no I’m the number one fan 😎🤪

[@michaelsmusic3532]

@@lukather1 😆 goofball ... !!! Guess that's what he gets with a bunch of fukkin Zombies walk in "round 🎸

[@lukather1]

@@michaelsmusic3532 play like a zombie may as well act like one ☝️

[@ragingoracle6239]

Im trying to improve my piano chord progressions and you really helped make a lot of confusing approaches to developing chord progressions very clear.. Your awesome.. Song writers can learn a lot from your videos, not just guitarist imho.!! Sub!!! and thank you!

[@alphanumeric1529]

I've watched your videos so many times. I have a sedimentary type of intelligence, small, thin layers of facts and knowledge accumulate over the decades of my life, eventually forming actual understanding. Most people just set out to learn something and they learn it. I set out to learn something, and after 7 years, I'm like, oh this was easy, why didn't I understand it sooner ?It's taken me many years to realize it's because I'm stupid now. It took me 15 years to learn the names of the keys on the piano keyboard. Super sharp one here, brother, yes indeed.

[@taurushamilton2739]

Don’t beat yourself up bro. Learn at ur pace, and concentrate on making music at the best of your ability at every level you’re at.👌🏾✊🏾JUST DONT STOP LEARNING

[@AS-qv5oe]

By far best explanation I have heard with visual examples. Excellent teacher. They say “repetition is the mother of retention” and this proves that simple teaching instead of doctors music language is far the best.

[@kenhall8092]

Hey Brian, just wanted to say - I don't care what you're wearing and the thumbnails couldn't be more informative. I've learned more from you than any other teacher on KZbin, what you showed me about chord tone soloing set me free from minor pentatonic land where I'd been stuck for years. I owe you a debt of gratitude man, and I know I'm not the only one judging by the Comments you always get. Liked and already subscribed! : )

[@michaelsmusic3532]

Not only the best on youtube ... He's the best instructor on the whole freakin' internet !!!

[@ggus8512]

Brian, thanks very much for your videos on the circle of fifths. With teachers like you they can cut the entire program at music universities down to one month instead of four years! Extremely useful and fun.

[@neilrobinson7615]

As usual, the best lesson on the chosen subject on You Tube IMHO. A fairly tricky formula explained in an easy to understand manner. 3 years on and the content is still at the top of the game without resorting to clickbait or gimmicks. Solid content all the way.

[@krista96]

I've watched hundreds of lessons from many teachers on KZbin and Jamplay. . . .these for me are up there with the best, conveying info. rather than ego Thank you Brian

[@zombieguitar]

krista96 hey thanks for the comment, I really appreciate that! I'm trying to spread the word about my website where you can find all of my lesson videos for free in a nicely organized manner - www.zombieguitar.com. Definitely check it out if you get a chance, and thanks for watching!

[@krutoyinfo]

Under every videon on youtube, that teaches smth, there always ONE comment sayin that it seen 1000000 videos but THIS particualar video is THE BEST ever

[@iamandes4455]

Brian Kelly Brian, thanks so much for all your free lessons. You deserve more views. I refer anyone interested in music/guitar to your KZbin channel. I hope teaching music pays off huge for you. You really deserve it! Thanks so much again!

[@michaelsmusic3532]

Brian ... Every chance I get I point everyone in the direction of your website, youtube vids, and facebook group in hopes that you get more subscriptions and paying customers. It's the least that I can for all the hard work that you've put in with everything and all the help that you continue to be with my theory studies. You are appreciated bro, multiple gratitude ... Rock on !!!

[@michaelsmusic3532]

@@krutoyinfo I've seen 10000000 videos and this one is the BEST ever !!! { seriously }

[@jennywren8937]

Every time I get stuck on keyboard lessons I come back here, learn a bit about guitar as well, thanks so much for this Brian.

[@Marcy605]

Your explanations are from a perspective that I've not already seen on videos before. Powerful knowledge with good examples! bravo, keep up the good work

[@Playsinvain]

Brian Kelly is a very good teacher with a calm and clear style. 🎉. TY !

[@pixelatedparcel]

Hey, man. Am never disappointed by your uploads. I don't know how long you have been teaching but I think any student of yours will be fortunate to receive instruction from you as you deliver the material in a very concise, logical and impactful manner. Hope this helps to motivate you to continue along your chosen path as I am sure it is not an easy one.

[@meerajthakur9439]

You have exceptional teaching ability. You break it down perfectly. Hats off

[@MrDuncanBelfast]

I've watched a couple of videos on secondary dominants, and this is the one that made it click for me. Thank you very much!

[@zombieguitar]

No problem...glad to help!

[@motionnominated7142]

brother am i the only one who understand everything what you saying your demonstration i get everything what i need to learn in guitar thank you brian i am all the way from nepal lots of love left hand sanjay

[@zombieguitar]

That's awesome man! Thanks for checkin out my channel!

[@PaulFreemanTheTall]

Brian, this is a fantastically clear explanation which I watched after several others that left me in the dark, you have a gift for explanation. Thanks for this.

[@zombieguitar]

Hey thanks for the comment! Glad you found it helpful!

[@Vassilis61]

You are the best coach on the net. Really amazing work.

[@Cruz0e]

You are the best, I watched 3-4 videos of you and it all started to be clean !:)

[@edwardjwarnock6657]

Great lesson once again. Thanks for making this video Brian. Your way of explaining it cleared things up for me since the theory books I had read on it were not clear in explaining it at all - much appreciated!!!

[@teegleason8044]

perfect best teacher on the web hands down!!!

[@hansharold]

Great lesson Brian, thanks!

[@rayyeager]

Great job. Very clear and thorough. Thanks for posting.

[@jeboteyt]

Excellent explanation. Thanks for dedicating time and effort into this. Cheers.

[@zombieguitar]

You're welcome!

[@sandylamereaux6459]

Nice. Your tone and lesson with visuals allow the clarity to flow well. Also no hurry up on your delivery. Thank you

[@intell0]

This clears up a lot. Always thought that the secondary dominant had to resolve to the 2 chord of the key.. hence secondary....

[@fomofreddy7306]

I love all these lessons you have. I have been learning new guitar off of KZbin for years, and this channel is by far the best one I’ve ever come across. It’s advanced stuff but it’s so easy to understand. Thank you

[@zombieguitar]

Hey thanks a lot! I really appreciate the words!

[@arttingley1400]

Very clear information, with an interesting mix of theory and practical examples. A super helpful video!

[@williamlewis6615]

One of the best people that I’ve ever heard explain theory

[@Guitar_Sprinkles]

Thank you for this video bro! You seem to explain it a way and pace that my brain digests it well.

[@tikunani]

Brian, you explain the function of music brilliantly.

[@josephdalessandro9724]

Cool, I’ll be on the look out.Thanks great stuff. 😎👍🎸

[@WilliamMondy]

Hey Bryan thanks so much for your lessons! You shine light on so many areas I seen hidden. You’ve used tools like the circle of fifths in your lessons to open up which seem to be a mysterious complex system.It now is so plain and simple that I feel as if I’ve been walking for 20 years while there were planes at my disposal right next door.

[@zombieguitar]

That's awesome! Glad to hear you are finding these vids helpful 😎

[@necasperaterrent2097]

Perfectly explained. Another weapon in my arsenal for writing 🤘

[@pixelatedparcel]

Well, 5 K subscribers without giving it a second thought says a lot about what you have to offer. Hope you have local students because you are an excellent teachers and that is a precious - if undervalued, like the arts - commodity in our society.

[@1974xaviers]

Brian.. thanks for all your theoritical lessons.. they are very well explained and very helpful...it helped me immensely..... you are doing a great job... God bless you for your talent........look forward to your videos always.......🙏👍

[@ramirocastellon2921]

Thanks for making it so easy to understand. Great teacher.

[@lukeylanguages2343]

Awesome video, you explained it so so well. Bravo 👏🏻

[@itaborai83]

Great video, man! Appreciate it!

[@teegleason8044]

Great stuff. Thanks Brian. You once again have helped me on this journey

[@p.pentatonic4309]

After 4 Years learning, now i can say; You are the most effective Guitarist here. I spend a lot of Time with your leesons to get better and better. It makes a lot of fun i really enjoy all your lessons, Its much Stuff guitar theory ))) but u help me soooo much, to understand what is Music and how does it works Nice greets from Germany ;-)

[@zombieguitar]

Hey glad you are liking the vids. Thanks for following 😁🤘

[@twinfin8571]

Thanks for all your information. I watch the theory videos and I’ve learned a lot. I don’t play the guitar but I find information that I can apply to the ukulele. I clicked on your circle of fifths video and went from there. You give a lot of information but concisely and to the point. I usually have to watch the video a couple times to grasp it since I’ve no musical background. This has been very helpful to me.

[@onlinejens]

Fantastic tutorials thank you Brian.

[@jonf1485]

Watched like 4 of your lessons, and wanted to say thanks for the videos!! You're touching on concepts i haven't seen on other channels.

[@dt3460]

Nicely explained. I'm gonna work on this.

[@sarornseng8724]

Great demonstrarions, I am glad that I have spent time to listen in detials. Thank you.

[@adelenicholas4212]

you're a great teacher. really enjoyed this lesson. thank you!

[@kirkkilat7759]

Ty brian for the efforts on teaching us.. Love from philippines .

[@zombieguitar]

Kirk Kilat no problem. Thanks for watching!

[@MarcDufresneosorusrex]

yes thank you

[@austinhall2362]

I thank you for these free lessons. I've been good at what I knew at my small church, but you get around musicians that know their stuff, you'd better know yours. Ignorance is no excuse in these days and time.

[@wormcultist6637]

Really good uploads, shed alot if light for me thanks.

[@hot.iron.candidate323]

Thank you for the good lesson!

[@LOFIGSD]

Fascinating and very well explained, thanks you.

[@donlessnau3983]

Great info. Well explained. Thanks a lot. Well done.

[@mehboobyaqoob473]

Your amazing, Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge Sir..

[@zombieguitar]

Mehboob Yaqoob no problem. Thanks for watching!

[@funday352]

Thank You So Much Sir!! 🙏🏻. Very helpful lesson

[@mickspixgearreviewsdemos8620]

Thank you so much for spending your time teaching . I get more out of your explanations of theory than most teachers on here. At least you make it interesting 😁. Keep on keeping on brother 😁

[@soaker143]

amazing teacher!

[@JuliusUnscripted]

this small tricks like the one at 5:35 are what i like about your videos! :) i did not think about this easy help at the moment and only would have seen it only a lot of time later by myself. (hopefully haha)

[@Shuzies]

Yes....your teaching is fantastic.....very clear....perfect....rc

[@DemonSlide]

Thank you.

[@jawshua9249]

Hey man great lesson! I've been struggling a lot with writing good chord progressions. This really opened a new world for me. Would love more chord progression lessons if you can. My rhythm guitar game is weak.

[@zombieguitar]

Jawshua haha Lots more to come. All lessons regarding chords/chord progressions can found here on this page: www.zombieguitar.com/the-chords-and-chord-progressions-page/. I will be adding several more to this page over the next month!

[@rogerramgoolam6939]

Thanks for the very useful lesson!

[@jaredstanfield267]

Just wanted to say thank you! Love your videos. They've really helped me to dig into basic music theory.

[@richardcrocker539]

Another brilliant lesson explains theory so well.

[@sudipdas2752]

Nice work brother

[@taurushamilton2739]

Ur a great teacher bro🤘🏾

[@LEYGSL]

I'm learning theory for piano atm but this was still majorly helpful, thanks.

[@JD-li1xw]

Thanks Brian. You are an excellent teacher! I wish I’d learnt all this theory years ago.

[@RonTheFlyingDutchman]

In the key of C you can use the diatonic chords C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and Bm-5. Add secondary dominants and you can also use C7, D7, E7, F7, A7 and B7 when playing in the key of C. Add tritone substitution and you can also use F#7, G#7, Bb7, C#7 and D#7 when playing in the key of C. So your next lesson could be explaining tritone substitution :-)

[@IggyPelman]

Love it! Absolutely (and correctly - my 2 cents) described a very useful concept.

[@jakesparling9811]

Great lesson man, that helped a lot

[@MickBrownFolksinger]

fantastic lesson

[@cloudedleopardeffects5010]

can't thank you enough for these videos my dude.🙏🙏

[@jaythomas2327]

good video and very useful material when one wants to experiment with different sounding chord progressions. thanks.

[@harshtailor5824]

thank you SOO MUCH

[@josephdalessandro9724]

Wow, just opened another door. Would like more on this subject. Cool 😎👍🎸

[@zombieguitar]

Joseph D'Alessandro Any specific topics you want me make a lesson on?

[@christianxxxmen5792]

AWESOME LESSONS BRIAN:D

[@Adarkjet]

Excellent easy to understand tutorial. Better than any other explanation I've heard on piano. Does this rule hold true in minor keys and other modes?

[@zombieguitar]

Yup it does!

[@slickwillie3376]

Yeah. Thx

[@percyrahman6311]

excellent lesson

[@markatienza8853]

Wondering, where can I find a more in depth version of this on the website? I am a member.

[@Adiaf8oros]

Firstly, thank you so much for those lessons. They really are great! Though, if you want, tune your guitar exactly before the video, some string/s is out of tune too often... Thanks again!

[@zombieguitar]

Adiaf8oros ya others have told me that before. Unfortunately my ear doesn't pick up the out of tune guitar...this problem also annoys my band to no end as well!

[@paulbrennan3734]

loving this stuff man :)

[@thomasschneider1785]

Can you do video on modes, explain how C# major and Dorian minor 3 would be F so now you have changed the C# major Thanks Great videos keep it up

[@zombieguitar]

Hey check out my 3-part modes series. It will help explain everything about modes: www.zombieguitar.com/how-to-solo-across-the-fretboard-using-modes/

[@TNTTruth1]

Thank You: Very useful info!

[@josem.ignacio3370]

Fantastic.

[@ГлебЕлешев]

V nice and clear

[@Will-sh8kl]

I've gotten more A HA! moments from Brian Kelly than all other guitar channels combined.

[@disciple678]

I will remain indebted to you forever. I wish I could meet you once.

[@ไกลฝนไกลฝน]

GOOD LEASSON

[@giglehart]

Good way to fry my brain right before I head off to bed...Way good stuff...make me think and I think I maybe catching on...One more time through and maybe I will have it assimilated. Love the theory....and like the way to teach it....

[@zombieguitar]

Genny Trickett let me know if there's anything that you don't understand, and I will try to clear it up for you.

[@barryjmccormack]

Great Brian -You have a talent for explanation for sure- I enjoyed this video

[@cesaridelalamon8219]

sir can you explain how to tranpose to a higher key?

[@doublek321]

Good lesson! Glad you covered several examples of minor chords. A couple of questions though: 1) Is an E7 the dominant 7th for both "A" as well as "Am"? 2) In the key of C, the G7 is the dominant chord that pulls back to C. The minor 7 of a G is the note of F (which is the 4 of C). I know the G major chord has a B note (which is the major 7th of C). Isn't that B note the one that creates the "pull" back to the C? So why do we need that minor 7th of the 5 (the F note of G) in order to feel a stronger pull back to C, when it would seems as if a G chord would do the trick? Also, there are other chords that have a B in them (for example an E chord, which has the note B as the 5) so I guess I'm wondering if there's a way to describe why the pull from E to C isn't as strong as G to C. Note that I realize these might be complicated concepts to explain but I figured I'd at least ask.

[@zombieguitar]

doublek321 Hey thanks for watching and commenting! To answer #1...Yes, dominant chords can resolve to both major and minor chords. As for #2, this Wikipedia article explains it much better then I could in a YT comment: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominant_seventh_chord

[@doublek321]

Cool thanks! I checked that wikipedia link you sent and it was also useful! Let me try to explain in case others had the same question (though first a disclaimer that I'm definitely not any kind of musical expert): The G7 contains notes GBDF. As already discussed in my initial comment, the B (which is the major 3rd of the G) is the "leading tone" to C. A "leading tone" means it "pulls upward" to the next highest semitone (in this case, from B to C). What I didn't realize is that there's also the concept of an "upper leading tone" that "pulls downward" the next lowest semitone. In this case, the G7 contains the note F, which pulls downward to E. The note E is the major 3rd of C. So basically the G7 contains 2 notes (B and F) that "pull" toward the root and major 3rd of C. That explains why it resolves so strongly to C.

[@zombieguitar]

doublek321 exactly!

[@pixelatedparcel]

doublek321 Hey, man. I totally get the gist of what you are saying and agree with it except for your use of the term "leading tone". Now, admittedly I am only 1 year in to guitar and music theory as well as being self taught and am only bringing this up in a spirit of open and amiable discussion. My understanding is that the term "leading tone" (aka "subtonic") is exclusively reserved for the 7th or most "active" degree of the major scale because its marked tendency to resolve up a half-step to the tonic (or octave). No other degree is as "active", hence the moniker "leading tone". Now, since the G7 (dominant V) chord contains the (Cmaj) scale's leading tone, it is the most "active" of the three primary chords(or triads). So, yes, the 7 of the C maj scale being B, the G7/V chord (because of its B) will seek to resolve to the C/I chord. Also, it's root (G) being the fifth of the I (C) chord, there is an unmistakable affinity between the two because of this. That said, the 4th -also "active" - degree (or "subdominant") tends to resolve down a half-step to 3 ( a "rest" tone) rather than up to 5 a whole step away. Also, you are more likely to encounter a movement from I to IV than from IV to I because in this case though it is true the IV chord's root (F) is a fifth away from the tonic (C) said root (F) is not contained in the I (or "tonic") chord, hence its apparent "distance" from the I. Anyway, hope you dig my little contribution to the exchange.

[@pixelatedparcel]

Since you are into this kind of stuff, here is another tidbit you might enjoy. You already know that the primary triads are the basic structural units of harmony and you may also know that movement from one of these primary triads to another is regarded as a strong or fundamental harmonic progression. You may not know that another way to achieve a strong (not in the sense of better) progression is via a root progression of a fourth or a fifth. That is why substituting the II for the IV or the VI for the I or even the III for the I or V are considered harmonically weak (not in the sense of worse) progressions because the roots of these chords are a third apart (as opposed to a fourth or a fifth apart). This third-relationship exists both above and below any of the primary triads. As an aside, when substituting for a primary triad, you may want to favor a voicing that double its chord-third as this helps to establish its function as a substitute. Finally, the usual progression is from strong or basic primary triad to the weaker substitute chord as it suggests forward motion, the root of the substitute chord being heard as a fresh, new sound in the forward progression; Also, the basis for considering chords as substitutes is that they share two common tones with the substituted chords: see, for example, I to VI, IV to II, V to III...A great book to get is E.B. Kohs, Music Theory, vol.I.

[@musicproductionvideos5019]

Great videos! How do you explain when the iii chord is used as a Secondary Dom but moves to the IV chord instead of the V? We hear that a lot. why does that work? Thanks

[@zombieguitar]

Well if the iii chord moves to the IV chord, than it wouldn't be functioning as a "dominant chord". If it was a major III chord, you could just label it as a "borrowed chord"!

[@michaelsmusic3532]

Clear and easily understood but I do have one question ... How do we tell the difference between these slash { / } notations and the slash { / } notations that are used for chord inversions ? Do we use strictly roman numerals { ii/V } for second dominants and the chord names { A/B } for inversions ? Just trying to guess ... is that correct ?

[@zombieguitar]

Yup a slash chord means that the bass note has changed. Secondary dominants are different. The roman numerals are the indicator 😀

[@michaelsmusic3532]

Awesomeness !!!! Thanks for letting me know that I got that one correct. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can now pass the mid-terms !!!

[@rohitrathi4552]

C is the fifth of F and you are the boss of me. I used always think / meant the bass note. So C/F meant play C with and F in the bass.

[@zombieguitar]

If you saw a chord symbol that said "C/F", then yes that would mean "C major with an F in the bass" 😎

[@rohitrathi4552]

Okay then thanks then. Thanks for the lesson. I could never understand why the beatles went to C7 all the time before F, now I know. Also I never understood E7 before Am and now I know. I always thought it was a melodic /harmonic minor deal. But now I realise it is a transient resolution so to speak. Loving your lessons Brian (but sometimes I feel you are too rudimentary and slow in ramping up to the main point eg you give too many examples of what would be fifth or how to find it on the guitat 🙂 if you don’t mind me saying .)

[@zombieguitar]

@@rohitrathi4552 That's why I always recommend watching the lessons from my website instead of KZbin. I always post a duplicate lesson on the site, which has the timestamps underneath the video along with a full written version which includes all the charts and diagrams that were used in the video. I always post a link to the "website version" in the description. Also, this video is a bit older. I've been improving at "getting to the point quicker" in my newer videos. Some of my older videos make me cringe at how long and drawn out they are 😎.

[@rohitrathi4552]

Brian Kelly thanks. No you’re good because you are patient and you demystifying musical theory by using simple language.

[@enyakstew7107]

Great video ! Just one thing that I don't understand, do you have to play the dominant 7 always ? Because if I am not wrong, your V chord leads to your tonic, even if you don't play the 7th, like if I am in C and play the G triad, it still resolves into C, even if i don't play G7, so when using secondary dominants, am I forced to play the 7th, otherwise it's not a secondary dominant chord ? Don't know if I am clear.

[@zombieguitar]

You are right. It doesn't necessarily have to be a dominant 7th chord. The important thing is that it is a "major V" chord, which then moves to the "I chord" or "i chord". The 7th just adds more tension, which creates a stronger pull.

[@100roberthenry]

5 of the 6 is a 7....cool lesson man... subbed. :)

[@heavyevybycr1755]

I can see my minimal knowledge of music is just that - minimal, and you made me feel musical inept. Thank you, tho. I'm going to study this some more.

[@josephdalessandro9724]

Watched your two lessons again, you used 7th cords. How about 9th and other variation cords? Or go with what sounds good. 😎🎸

[@zombieguitar]

Joseph D'Alessandro ill definitely be getting into all that stuff in upcoming lessons!

[@zombieguitar]

But yes..always go with what sounds the best!

[@isaiahchilian]

Your lesson gave me an AH HA moment!! Mind blown. Also, has anyone said that you sound a little like Chris Griffin from Family Guy? lol

[@zombieguitar]

🤣🤣🤣