music theory producers can use! (pt. 3!)

TAETRO

13 Sept 202131:46

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this third installment of the music theory series, the host builds upon concepts covered in previous videos to teach more advanced chord theory. This includes using chord inversions to smoothly transition between chords and adding extensions like sevenths and ninths to make chords sound richer. The second half shows how to put this all together to make a track in Ableton, starting with a 4 chord progression, adding a simple bassline and melody. The series will continue next month, possibly covering rhythm or ear training based on viewer feedback.

Takeaways

😀 This is part 3 of a music theory tutorial series focused on practical application of concepts
🎹 Previously covered how to build major and minor scales and triad chords
🎸 Today's lesson covers more advanced chords through inversions and extensions
🎼 Also demonstrates applying music theory to write chord progressions, basslines, and melodies in a DAW
🎤 Seeks audience input on covering rhythm or ear training in next video
👂 Inversions rearrange chord notes to facilitate transitions between chords
🎛 Extensions like 7ths, 9ths, 11ths expand harmony beyond triads
🎶 Chord inversions and extensions make progressions sound more advanced
🎧 Basslines can highlight chord roots even if not in bass of keyboard voicings
🎵 Melodies often emphasize chord tones and scale degrees 1, 3, 5, 7

Q & A

What are some ways to make chord progressions sound more advanced?
-Using chord inversions, adding extensions like the 7th, 9th or 11th, and using common tones between chords can make chord progressions sound more advanced and smooth.
How can chord inversions be used to connect chord transitions?
-Inversions allow you to have common tones between chords, making transitions smoother. For example, inverting a D chord to have an A as the lowest note makes the transition from D to A major easier.
What's an easy way to create a bassline?
-A simple way to create a bassline is to follow the root note of the chords. This helps solidify the harmony even if there are chord inversions.
What makes certain notes sound good or bad over chord changes?
-Notes contained within the chord tend to sound consonant and good. But you can also use non-chord tones for tension and resolution. Listen for what works over the changing harmony.
How can you create melodies more easily?
-Target chord tones and scale degrees. Move up and down the scale consecutively rather than making big leaps. Alternate rhythmic motion from slow to fast. End phrases on stable notes like the root or 5th.
What were the 4 core elements laid out for making a track?
-The 4 core elements were: the chordal instrument, bassline, drums, and lead melody. Once you have these elements, you have the backbone of an interesting track.
What concepts should be solidified before moving forward?
-Understanding major scale construction, building chords off those scales, chord inversions and extensions are important foundations. Revisit earlier videos if those aren't completely clear.
What were the two options suggested for covering in the next music theory video?
-The two options were: 1) rhythm and constructing rhythms 2) ear training for identifying melodies and harmonies.
How can learners dive deeper into concepts covered in the videos?
-Skillshare has courses on music theory and production that align with concepts covered in the videos. Use the free trial to access more advanced classes.
Why is getting feedback and asking questions important?
-Feedback and questions help the teacher understand what to cover next and what needs more clarification. This improves the quality of instruction over time.

Outlines

00:00

😄 Introducing music theory series & sponsor Skillshare

The instructor Tedro introduces the third installment of a music theory series. He invites viewers to catch up on previous lessons if needed. Tedro explains the practical goal of learning basic music theory for creating music production. He also introduces Skillshare as the sponsor and shows off a new watercolor painting.

05:02

😊 Explaining chord inversions to smooth progressions

Tedro explains how chords can be rearranged or inverted but still represent the same harmony. Using inversions when transitioning between chords makes chord progressions sound smoother. Inversions also convey different moods compared to root position chords.

10:03

😀 Adding extensions like 7ths & 9ths to make chords advanced

Beyond basic triads, notes can be stacked to create 7th, 9th and 11th chords. The 7th is counted by continuing to ascend the scale. These extensions create more advanced harmony compared to plain triads. Different chord types have variations like maj7 or minor 7.

15:04

☺️ Promoting Skillshare watercolor painting classes

Tedro shows off a watercolor painting done through Skillshare, which has creative classes. Skillshare sponsors the video and offers a 1 month free trial, supporting Tedro's channel.

20:06

🤓 Building chord progressions, bass line & melody in DAW

Tedro demonstrates applying music theory within a DAW, choosing a key signature and laying down a 4 chord progression with extensions and inversions to sound advanced. A basic bassline is created by following chord root notes. Basic melody uses safe in-key notes.

25:06

😊 Creating simple lowfi beat with drums and keys

Tedro quickly layers drums and keys over chord progressions and bass to demonstrate arrangement of a simple lowfi beat, focusing on core elements before adding more advanced details later.

30:08

😀 Thanks for watching & plans for future music theory

Tedro closes by thanking viewers and asking for feedback on covering rhythm or ear training next. He reminds viewers to rewatch unclear parts and support sponsors before saying goodbye.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Music theory

The video focuses on teaching basic music theory in a practical way that helps viewers create their own music production. Music theory refers to the study of how music works on a technical and structural level, including concepts like scales, chords, rhythm, melody and harmony.

💡Scales

A scale is a set of musical notes ordered by pitch. The video teaches how to form major and minor scales using the "whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half" formula. It also shows how scales provide the foundation for building chords and melodies in a given musical key.

💡Chords

Chords are built by stacking notes from a scale. The video covers triads (three note chords) and seventh chords, using the key of D major as an example. It also shows how inversions and extensions like 7ths, 9ths and 11ths can make chord progressions more interesting.

💡Inversions

Inversions rearrange the order of notes in a chord while keeping its essential harmony. They help smoothen chord progressions by putting common tones between chords in the bass. The video demonstrates inversions of the I, IV and V chords in D major.

💡Chord progressions

A chord progression is a sequence of chords played in series. The video builds a I-V-vi-IV progression in D major using triads and seventh chords, inversions and voice leading between chords to create smooth harmonic movement.

💡Bass lines

Bass lines emphasize the root note of chords, helping to clarify the harmony. The video shows how chord progressions imply simple bass lines that follow the chord roots, like G-A-B-D over its I-V-vi-IV progression.

💡Melodies

Melodies are instrumental or vocal lines over chord progressions. The video constructs a simple melody using chord tones and scalar movement up and down the D major scale, with rhythmic variety and resolution to strong notes like the root and fifth.

💡Harmony

Harmony refers to the vertical combination of notes and chords. The video builds harmony combining scale, chords, bass line and melody to demonstrate basic musical elements working together.

💡Texture

Texture describes how musical lines interact. The sparse texture of melody over chords creates openness, while combining chords, bass and drums thickens texture with layering.

💡Rhythm

Rhythm is the timing and duration of musical elements. Though not covered in depth, the video shows rhythmic variation between long held chords, faster bass/drums, and melodies using different note durations.

Highlights

This video will teach basic music theory in a practical way you can implement when creating your own music production

Using chord inversions can make chord progressions sound smoother and convey different moods compared to root position

Extensions like 7ths, 9ths and 11ths can make chords more advanced without changing key

Chord progressions often use common transitions like 4-5-6-1 due to tensions that resolve nicely

Inversions help connect chords by sharing common notes

Basslines typically follow the root note of chords

Melodies often use chord tones and avoid big leaps between notes

Alternating rhythmic motion keeps melodies interesting

With chord progressions, basslines and melodies you have the backbone of an interesting track

As you advance, build on these foundations by adding countermelodies and more

Take time to fully understand concepts before moving to more advanced techniques

Experiment with bending the basic music theory rules once you understand them

Let me know in the comments if you want the next video to cover rhythm or ear training

Supporting the sponsor means supporting the channel to create more content

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Transcripts

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