How 5 Chords Unlock ALL Music Theory!

Summary

In this video, learn how mastering just five basic chords can unlock the full understanding of music theory, from beginner to advanced. The tutorial covers the C Major scale, the construction of major 7, dominant, minor 7, half-diminished, and diminished chords, along with their corresponding scales. You'll also discover how chord extensions (9th, 11th, 13th) and voicings add depth and complexity to your playing. Perfect for jazz pianists and those interested in modern harmony, this video equips you with essential tools to understand and create music, along with professional tips to save years of confusion.

Takeaways

• 😀 The five fundamental chords (C major 7, dominant, minor 7, half-diminished 7, and diminished) are the building blocks for understanding all music theory.
• 🎶 The C major scale is the foundation of modern music theory and defines how all major chords are built.
• 🎹 Chord extensions (9, 11, 13) are added to dominant seventh chords, but they are essentially variations on the base dominant seventh chord.
• 🔄 Chord transformations (like flatting the third or seventh) create different harmonic sounds, which are the key to understanding various chord types.
• 🧠 Scales match their corresponding chords: by altering the scale (like flatting the seventh or the third), you create different chord types.
• 🎵 The Dorian minor scale (flatting the third) is associated with minor 7 chords, and adding the flat five creates half-diminished chords.
• 🔂 The diminished chord is derived from flatting the seven twice and is unique because it splits the octave perfectly.
• 🌐 The octatonic scale (whole-half diminished) is used for diminished chords, creating an interesting symmetrical pattern of notes.
• ⚡ Pro tip: When learning harmony, understand that scales and chords are essentially the same – the difference is the inclusion of non-chord tones.
• 🎧 Extensions like major 9, sharp 11, and 13 are added to chords like major 7, creating richer harmonic textures.
• 💡 Voicing refers to how notes of a chord are ordered and can be rearranged to create different sounds or ‘shapes’ of the same chord.
• 🎤 Rootless voicings are common in jazz and are played without the root note, allowing the bass player to fill that role while still defining the chord.

Q & A

What are the five fundamental chords that form the basis of all music theory?

The five fundamental chords are: 1) Major 7th chord, 2) Dominant 7th chord, 3) Minor 7th chord, 4) Half diminished (minor 7 flat 5) chord, 5) Diminished chord.

How is a C major 7th chord built?

A C major 7th chord is built by taking the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th degrees of the C major scale. These are C, E, G, and B respectively.

What is the defining feature of a dominant 7th chord?

A dominant 7th chord is characterized by a major 3rd and a flat 7th. It is built using the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and flat 7th degrees of the scale.

What happens when we 'flatten' the third degree in a chord?

Flattening the third degree of a chord creates a minor chord. For example, a C minor 7th chord is created by flattening the third degree of the C major scale.

How does the Dorian minor scale relate to the minor 7th chord?

The Dorian minor scale is used to form a minor 7th chord by flattening the third degree of the major scale while keeping the 6th degree intact.

What is a half diminished (minor 7 flat 5) chord, and how is it constructed?

A half diminished chord is built by taking the 1st, flat 3rd, flat 5th, and flat 7th degrees of the scale. In the case of C, it would be C, E♭, G♭, and B♭.

What makes the diminished 7th chord unique?

A diminished 7th chord is built by taking the 1st, flat 3rd, flat 5th, and double flat 7th degrees of the scale, which is functionally the same as a C diminished 7th (C, E♭, G♭, A).

What are extensions, and how do they relate to the dominant 7th chord?

Extensions, such as the 9th, 11th, and 13th, are added to chords built on the dominant 7th. Even with extensions, a chord is still considered a dominant 7th if the 3rd is major and the 7th is flat.

Why is a major 6th chord different from a major 7th chord?

A major 6th chord replaces the 7th degree with a 6th degree. For example, a C major 6th chord is C, E, G, and A, while a C major 7th chord includes C, E, G, and B.

What is the concept of 'voicing' in chord construction?

Voicing refers to the rearrangement of the notes within a chord to produce different sounds or textures. For instance, in a C major 13 sharp 11 chord, the notes can be reordered in various ways to achieve unique voicings.