The video outlines fundamental music theory concepts essential for music production, covering notes, scales, chords, chord progressions, and how to tastefully break musical rules.
Understanding Notes #
- All music is made up of 12 notes: A, B, C, D, E, F, G (white keys) and B flat, D flat, E flat, F sharp, A flat (black keys).
- A half step is the distance between two notes directly next to each other (e.g., A to B flat).
- A whole step is the distance between two notes one note away from each other (e.g., A to B).
- Black notes can be called sharps or flats; for simplicity, they will be referred to as flats, except for F sharp.
- Octaves are two notes 12 semitones apart, which are the same note but one is higher/lower in pitch.
- Locating C notes: C is the first white key to the left of any set of two black notes.
Scales #
- Major Scale:
- The C major scale consists of all white notes starting from C (C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C).
- Notes in a scale are numbered (Nashville number system: 1-7).
- Pattern: Root, whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step (Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Whole).
- Minor Scale:
- The C minor scale is C, D, E flat, F, G, A flat, B flat.
- Pattern: Root, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, half step, whole step (Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Half-Whole).
- Formulas for scales (half/whole steps) allow playing them in any key, providing musical freedom.
Chords #
- A chord is typically three or more notes played together to form harmony.
- Major Chord: In a major scale, play the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes simultaneously (e.g., C major: C, E, G).
- Minor Chord: Lower the 3rd note of a major chord by a half step (e.g., C minor: C, E flat, G).
- The difference between a major and minor third changes a chord from happy to sad.
Chord Progressions #
- Chord progressions lay the foundation and mood of a song.
- Each note in a scale can have a corresponding chord built upon it.
- The first six chords in a major scale (1-6) follow this pattern:
- 1 chord: Major
- 2 chord: Minor
- 3 chord: Minor
- 4 chord: Major
- 5 chord: Major
- 6 chord: Minor
- Mnemonic: Major-Minor-Minor-Major-Major-Minor.
- Referring to chords by numbers (Nashville number system) is standard for professional musicians, allowing for easy transposition to any key.
- Common progressions:
- 1-6-2-5 (e.g., "All of Me" by John Legend)
- 2-5-1 (common in Jazz, e.g., "Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5)
- 1-5-6-4 (e.g., "Let It Be" by The Beatles, "Don't Stop Believin'")
Enhancing Chords #
- Adding the 7th:
- Major 7th: Add the 7th note of the major scale to a major chord.
- Dominant 7th (or "7 chord"): Lower the 7th note of a major 7th chord by a half step. Often used as a transition.
- Minor 7th: Add the 7th note of the minor scale to a minor chord, or a whole step down from the root of the minor chord.
- Adding the 2nd: Add the 2nd note of the scale to any chord for depth and a "grounding" feel.
- Adding root and 5th notes on top: Playing the root and 5th notes of a chord in a higher octave can add richness.
- Keeping notes constant across chords: Maintaining a high root or fifth note throughout a progression (e.g., a sustained 5th) can create a unique texture.
Breaking the Rules (Tastefully) #
- "Breaking the rules" means playing a note or chord not typically in the song's key.
- Augmented Chords: Raising the 5th note of a major chord by a half step creates an augmented chord. Often used as transition chords (e.g., 5 augmented leading to 1).
- Major 2 Chord: Making the typically minor 2 chord major can create a "wholesome" or "turnaround" feel.
- Minor 4 Chord: Making the typically major 4 chord minor evokes an emotional or melancholic feeling.
- Minor 5 Chord: Making the typically major 5 chord minor alters the mood, often used for dramatic effect.
- Major 6 Chord: Making the typically minor 6 chord major can sound unusual but interesting. (e.g. Kiss From A Rose by Seal)
- Major 3 Chord: Making the typically minor 3 chord major can add a soulful quality.
Summary #
This video provides a strong foundation in music theory for producers, simplifying complex concepts into digestible insights. It emphasizes that while there are rules, understanding how to break them tastefully can lead to more interesting and expressive music. The core components covered are notes, scales (major and minor), chord construction (major, minor, 7ths, 2s), and common chord progressions using the Nashville number system. The speaker champions iterative learning, patience, and practice, suggesting that mastering these fundamentals will afford aspiring producers significant creative freedom. The video content is presented as a component of a larger paid course aimed at guiding students from theory to full song production, mixing, and mastering.
last updated: