How Basic Chords Work – Music Theory Lesson 1

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UPDATE: Hello, this is Present Day Michael. I want to point out that Past Michael picked his words inadequately when he stated "this chord does not work", and that declaration has actually resulted in much anger and confusion throughout the eons (well because 2011 anyhow). What he needs to have stated was "by moving closer together than a small 3rd or farther apart than a major 3rd, you're developing a totally new chord that you're almost certainly not expecting, and you should view this video to understand the insane nonsense that's happening here." The great thing about improvised YouTube videos that unexpectedly end up being popular is that you can never ever change a single feature of them ever. Present Day Michael apologizes profusely for Past Michael's errors.
END OF TIME-WARPING UPDATE

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Next up, take a look at how rhythm works:
or more about :
or how significant and minor keys work:

This is on , how they work, and the basic intervals that make them up. Discovering the underlying music theory behind will not just permit you to find any chord you want, anywhere you want, it will also provide you a solid structure to develop your entire understanding of music theory on.

I have a bachelor's in music (I took about a billion theory courses), and I'm a -time music instructor. After trying to assist many people discover music theory, I have actually chosen that this is the best, most helpful and most easily comprehended way into music theory. You don't need to know anything about music to begin on this, besides the names of the (and if you do not understand that then google it; it's cake). Have a good time.

How Basic Chords Work – Music Theory Lesson 1

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49 Comments

  1. You know that building feeling of excitement when things start to click? This video made me experience that. Thank you!

  2. Michael, you are an amazing teacher and i appreciate from the whole of my heart what you are doing… Thank you so much!!!!!!

  3. You know that feeling when you’re watching a 25 minutes video and it’s all interesting and the information just “clicks”? Yeah that’s what this video did for me. That’s great!

  4. Came knowing “chords are more than 1 note”
    Now they make sense. Thx Michael

    My notes:

    major chord = base + major 3rd + perfect fifth
    major 3rd = 2 whole steps from base
    perfect 5th = 3.5 steps from base (1.5 from major 3rd)

    minor chord = base + minor 3rd + perfect fifth
    minor 3rd = 1.5 whole steps from base
    perfect 5th = 3.5 steps from base (2 from major 3rd)

    perfect 5th = 3.5 steps from base (1.5 from major 3rd, 2 from minor 3rd)
    diminished 5th = 3 steps from base (1.5 from minor 3rd)
    augmented 5th = 4 steps from base (2 from major 3rd)

    all notes in chord must be 1.5-2 steps apart

    so chords
    0 1.5 1.5 (minor 3rd diminished 5th)
    0 1.5 2 (minor 3rd)
    0 2 1.5 (major 3rd)
    0 2 2 (major 3rd augmented 5th)

    more notes, same formula
    each note must be 1.5 or 2 steps up

  5. Bro I’ve watched many videos and this is the first one that’s actually simple enough to understand. It doesn’t sound like a scientist trying to teach me Beethoven in Old English. It’s a regular person telling me how to play piano. Love it bro!

  6. Your explanation (together with the piano visual) really made everything very clear.
    Thank you.
    (Now, if only I can remember it all…)

  7. Mathematically, major: 4+3; minor 3+4; dim 3+3; aug 4+4. If it is a major chord, the major always comes first, vice versa. Great video, subscribed.

    1. Yes correct, and to add a seventh or other interval this way it opens up another world. Also if you use,7th chord, you will also understand a lot about chord progressions and why they sound and work like they do, since you will notice the common notes when using 7 chords

  8. Just a brief summary to help anyone:

    A half-interval, or a semitone, refers to two adjacent notes on a piano. Like C and C#.
    An interval, or a whole tone, is two semitones. Like C and D.

    A Major Second is 2 semitones.
    A Minor Third is 3 semitones.
    A Major Third is 4 semitones.

    An Augmented 5th is 8 semitones. C to G#.
    A Perfect 5th is 7 semitones. C to G.
    A Diminished 5th is 6 semitones. C to F#.

    A Major chord, consists of a root note, a major third, and a perfect 5th.
    A Minor chord consists of a root note, a minor third, and a perfect 5th.
    An Augmented Chord consists of a root note, a major third, and an augmented 5th.

    1. Daniel Swain did you really just ask if you could screen shot a public comment of the most basic music theory info?

  9. It’s great to see a video who actually starts at the very beginning of music theory, and still goes into details.

    Best one I found

    1. @Kitten I can play many brass instruments. It’s been a while, so I’m probably trash by now.

    2. @Kitten Yeah. I’m still in band actually, but you can’t really do anything virtual in band. I do own a trumpet though.

  10. I’ve always felt that it’s easier to learn music theory on a piano, even if you can play guitar. Just so much simpler having it all laid out in front of you.

    1. I used to think that, but as I began digging deeper into guitar you begin to see the most fundamental theory in the strings. Like the physical properties music with length and mass, what an interval actually is (frequency ratios) instead of just “cheating” with keys to press the intervals anywhere… i enjoy both but you can learn a lot from each

    2. @QU!NNA hey hello
      I just wanted to thank you for those links I’m trying to learn some music theory by myself since I can’t see my particular guitar teacher anymore since the covid outbreak got worse where I live and I am still a beginner but I was getting frustated trying to find the basics
      Again
      Thank you sooo much

    3. Totally agree 👍🏻
      On piano, it’s all laid out in front of you, in order. Much easier to see and figure things out.

  11. This is so great. All other ppl out there explaining music theory are just rushing things, not letting you to sink in the stuff.

    So, many thanks for your videos = )

  12. Finally after 60 years of music study, I understand the theory behind chords. Thank you a zillion Michael. You are a gift from heavens. Bless you. Keep teaching please.

  13. Michael, you are my guardian angel at music knowledge. Thanks for that precious time you took on doing this. Music is an endless searching of treasures.

  14. I failed to learn this so many times, I’m surprised I actually got it with this video. Thanks!

  15. 0:00 – Intro
    2:58 – Intervals
    7:38 : Perfect Fifth
    13:05: Minor Chord
    15:55: Diminished Chord
    21:42: Augmented Chord

    Thank me by subscribing 😀

  16. Michael, Thank you so much for sharing your musical wisdom. The kind and caring tone of your voice is definitely helping a lot of beginners like myself be inspired instead of getting intimidated. You are a great teacher and I learned so much about chords from this 25-minute session. Not all great musicians can teach. You are the exception. Thank you again for helping beginners like me understand how chords work. You really made it simple to understand. More power to you.

  17. I tried playing chords I know on my guitar and breaking them down and it’s definitely helped me understand also how they fit into the scales too!! Very helpful lesson thank you.

  18. This video was really helpful, especially on the explaination part, it was clear to understand how chords put up together, great work sir.

  19. Notes:

    1:48 – Intro
    ——Chord = root and chord quality
    ——Chord quality = how far from root chord

    2:57 – Intervals
    ——Half step = notes next to eachother
    ——Whole step = 2 half steps

    5:09 – Chord quality

    ——Simple chord (Triad)
    —Major Chord (5:13)
    Root + Major third + Perfect fifth
    (Interval)
    →major third (2 whole steps)
    →perfect fifth (3 whole steps and half step)

    —Minor Chord (13:16)
    Root + Minor chord + Perfect fift
    →minor third (1 whole step and 1 half step)

    —Diminished Chord (16:03)
    Root + _ Third + Diminished fifth
    →diminished fifth (3 whole steps)
    →third can be major/minor (interval depends if <2 whole steps or >1 whole step and a half step)
    (distance from root to _ third should be the same as from dim5th to _ third)

    — Augmented Chord/Root+ (21:45)
    Root + _ Third + Augmented fifth
    →augmented fifth (4 whole steps)
    →third use the same rules diminished chord third (so between the root and fifth)

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