4 Chord Tricks The Beatles Knew (and you should too!)

Summary

This instructional video script explores the intricate chord progressions found in George Harrison's 'Something,' highlighting four key techniques: the major line cliché, minor line cliché, secondary dominance, and the magic chord modulation. The script provides a detailed breakdown of these methods, offering strategies for adapting them into one's own songwriting to create unique and sophisticated sounds. It also discusses how to avoid imitation and suggests ways to personalize these chord moves, including changing keys, tempos, time signatures, and styles. The script concludes with a custom playlist for further exploration of these concepts.

Takeaways

• 🎵 The video discusses the intricate chord progressions found in George Harrison's music, particularly focusing on the song 'Something'.
• 📚 The presenter breaks down four specific chord 'tricks' or moves used in 'Something' and suggests how they can be adapted for personal songwriting.
• 🔄 The first trick is called the 'major line cliché', which involves moving one note in a major chord down by semitones to create a series of related chords.
• 🎶 The second trick is the 'minor line cliché', similar to the major one but starting with a minor chord and moving the high note down by semitones.
• 🤔 Strategies are provided to adapt these clichés to avoid sounding like the original song, such as changing the key, tempo, time signature, or style of playing.
• 🎼 'Secondary dominance' is the third trick, which is a dominant chord that leads to a chord a perfect fifth below it, creating a smooth transition.
• ✨ The fourth trick is the 'magic chord modulation', which is used for key changes, specifically how the song 'Something' transitions to a new key using a special chord.
• 🔑 The 'magic chord' mentioned is a flat seven major chord that doesn't belong to the original key but sounds good when used for modulation.
• 🎹 The video provides examples of how to use these tricks in different keys and suggests experimenting with various chords and progressions.
• 📈 The presenter offers a free PDF with chord shapes for these clichés and encourages exploring these concepts in other songs and personal compositions.
• 📺 Additional resources such as a custom playlist are available for further exploration of these musical concepts and songwriting techniques.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the video script about George Harrison's song 'Something'?

The purpose of the video script is to break down the chord moves in George Harrison's song 'Something', explain their significance, and show how they can be adapted into one's own songwriting to enhance the musicality of original compositions.

What is a 'major line cliche' as mentioned in the script?

A 'major line cliche' is a musical term used to describe a chord progression where a major chord is altered by moving one note in the chord by semitones. It's not a derogatory term but rather a name for this specific chord movement technique.

How does the major line cliche work in the context of the song 'Something'?

In 'Something', the major line cliche is demonstrated by starting with a C major triad and moving the high C note down by semitones to create a C major seven chord, then moving it down again to form a C dominant seven chord.

What are some strategies to adapt the major line cliche into one's own songwriting?

Strategies include changing the key, tempo, time signature, or the feel/grove/style of the chord progression. Additionally, one can change the direction of the moving note, ascending and then descending back to the original chord.

What is a 'minor line cliche' and how is it different from a major line cliche?

A 'minor line cliche' is similar to a major line cliche but it starts with a minor chord instead of a major chord. The higher note in the chord is moved down by semitones, creating different chords like A minor major seven.

How can the minor line cliche be adapted in songwriting?

Adapting the minor line cliche can involve starting it from a different chord within the key, or placing the progression in a different part of the song, such as using it as a bridge.

What is the concept of 'secondary dominance' in music theory?

Secondary dominance is a concept where a dominant seventh chord is used as a 'dominant' to a chord other than the tonic, creating a temporary sense of tension and resolution towards the target chord.

How does the secondary dominant move function in 'Something' by George Harrison?

In 'Something', the D7 chord functions as a secondary dominant, leading to the G chord. This is because D7 is a perfect fifth above G, and it precedes the G chord, following the rules of secondary dominant relationships.

What is the 'magic chord modulation' and how is it used in the song 'Something'?

The 'magic chord modulation' refers to the use of a specific chord, the flat seven major, to modulate or change the key of a song. In 'Something', the G major chord is used as a pivot to modulate from the original key to A major.

How can the concept of the magic chord be used in other songs?

The magic chord can be used as a pivot chord to modulate to a new key, creating a surprising and uplifting modulation. It can also be used within a chord progression to add a soulful and bluesy feel to a song.

What resources are available for further exploration of these musical concepts?

The script mentions a custom playlist with videos on adapting chord progressions, creating bridges, modal borrowing, and analyzing other Beatles songs for chord moves that can be added to one's own progressions.