Second time watching this with 6 months of playing and this makes much more sense. Even though your very first video was way out of my paygrade, I loved your strong Texas accent and thought you made sense. I subbed right away, and you've helped me develop my talent, but also my soul. Merci beaucoup.
I've been practicing piano for one month. A video like this isn't really for the beginner, but I got something out of it. Merci for what you are doing, and I'll be coming back to these, especially as my pay grade rises.
I have been studying music for two years full time . There are a few nagging insecurities to my understanding the basics and seven chords where the most frustrating. Not anymore. Maybe I was just ready but I think it was because of the teacher. His clarity and concern is consistent: instead of rushing or leaving out the deminised chord ( always assumed to difficult for the u rtube dummies)he is concerned with his coherence and is as clear and complete finishing up on the deminished position as when he began with the tonic. What bewilderes me is that no one has included the function of each type of seven chord and the added musical manipulation of the unique sounds to be exploited. In THE AIMS OF EDUCATION BY Alfeed North Whitehead- if my memory serves me I have the correct name and remember him to be a phycicist who is also a philosopher and a teacher- he makes the point that your brain is not a tool to be sharpened now and used later. To conclude comprehension requires relevance.. I do not remember ever being told what the purpose of aljabra was as the teacher mumbled on the board or argued with a homeschooled professional student over a question. That's insane. No wonder I used the time to fantasize about the Jehlle sisters. It is no small comfort to assume Mr. Whitehead has had his own frustrations with understanding as he is by credentials apparentpy no slouch when it comes to a background blessed with eurodite learning.. In an effort to stay on point I will finish by saying my instrument is the guitar but if I search hard enough the authentic teacher who is not practising a career consolation but is a teacher by choice and therefore knows how to teach does exist . This chap appears to be a case in point. I will no doubt be visiting his lesson on changing keys. Well done.
Hello Bill, great video.....yes quite overwhelming,but I think that one just needs to try and absorb the info slowly whilst sat at the keyboard and tinkling with the keys and just slowly bit by bit try and comprehend what you're saying. I find the theory fascinating and logical too,but struggle to always get it. I play around with what I can understand and slowly stuff does seem to make sense which I'm pretty sure I'm not at the moment as it's nearly 2am!!! I get addicted when watching your videos and time just passes in a flash! Night night and thank you for bringing joy into my life with all you do here Bill☺
Excellent stuff. It took me a long time to get my head around this over my years of playing so it’s great to see it all put so plainly here, plus I still managed to pick up a few tips :) Can I please suggest a video explaining the way jazz chord symbols are notated please? Because I can still find the variety of different ways the same chord can be written as a symbol confusing even after years of playing.
That's a good idea, actually, Chris - I use chord symbols all the time but I don't have a single kind of one-stop-shop tutorial explaining how they work. Why did I never think of that? Watch this space...!
Great video. I had always wondered what was the function of m/maj7 chords, what are they called and why I don't see them very often. To me, they sound kind of dominant. I'll find out more about them.
Thank you so much. I’ve been working through another tutorial (sorry not one of yours) on the song from Willy Wonka, Pure Imagination in E flat based on ii V I progression, and had to do a bit of a crash course on 7th chords. Only got through the first section of the song and started to get lost. Of course I came back to you for help. :). This video even 2yrs old was perfect and explained what I needed to know. Thank you!
I'm really loving the Major Seventh. It is just the most chill sound. Trying to work them into some improv, it's a bit of a challenge. It is not great as a tonic and it doesn't really want to resolve. I'm sure I'll get better with it
Glad to hear it, David! In major keys, you'll find it works best on the tonic and subdominant, the first and fourth chords of the key - so, for example, Cmaj7 and Fmaj7 in C major. Shout if you have any questions at any point!
Hi Hilton, all seventh chords are really amazing in feeling, could you please describe major seventh minor seventh and dominant seventh scales likewise, just like every major or minor chord is derived from major or minor scale, thank u
Hi... Can you make a video about choosing correct chord voicings and inversions especially while using chord extensions like 9ths, 11ths and 13ths as they sound really bad and muddy when I play them. And they are also really difficult to play as these need two hands to play and not playing the root note in the right just feels kinda wrong.
I'm not too found of learning chords, but people say to do it, so I guess I have to. To me it makes about as little sense as teaching people about how sounds vary depending on the combination of letters. We remember it through the words we hear and memorize, not by learning the name for those sounds and how they relate to one another sequentially and such. It sounds useful for an encyclopedia or thesis, not so much for how to play music.
Great video Bill, Thanks! In regards to your Nord piano; how about making a video about it and if you like the Fatar action compared to a real acoustic piano's feel? Have you considered upgrading to the Nord Piano 4?
Thanks Robert! I may well make a video about the Nord soon, but right now there's a possibility that I'm going to be changing piano in the near future as a result of a partnership with a brand. All very up in the air, but I'm staying away from talking too much about the Nord until that's all pinned down :)
Is it possible for you to give examples from actual songs (or reharmonization of songs) that illustrate the use of those chords? I think it would be very useful.
Yeah, I understand it perfectly. Copyright issues can be really ugly. I was thinking more along the line of using some public domain tunes to demonstrate things. For example, one thing (or the only thing?) I know about using C7 chord is as a passing chord (am I using the term correctly?) as I'm moving from C to F. Perhaps you can find a tune in which such chord progression is present and give us more insight in what the difference the C7 chord makes in this context. I believe there are much more things that I never knew about!
Hi how are you. I hope you good . I'm a totally a beginner person to learn piano . I have some doubt in V7 chord .eg; In c major chord V7 is G B D F but ,why we use the three notes ( G F B) ? then where is the D note gone. Is any procedures ? Explain to me sir Plsee tell I'm totally confused plse sir I'm eagerly waiting for your reply.
I’ve been playing piano for 40 years although not very well but I find music theory incomprehensible. Thirds, tonics, diatonics, diminished, triads, seventh s. I think it’s not at all logical for what is 8 notes. I’ll keep watching to try and learn more.
I have a lot of sympathy with that view, Jon. The problem with theory is that while (most of it) is extremely logical, it rapidly gets complicated if you try to think about it in isolation from the piano keyboard - i.e., what sounds clear and obvious musically when its played (eg, dominant-tonic resolution) loses its simplicity fast when you try to explain it in words. Some people get very hung up on theory, which is why I said in this tutorial that it's best to get a sense of the theoretical stuff but then play about with it on the piano keyboard and figure out what *sounds* good - that's how you really learn, I think. I did tons of theory at school and university, but in fact learned it - without realising I was learning it - before that, playing around with old songbooks and figuring out chords. I kind of knew the theory, as it were, but I didn't know that I knew it - and to this day I think you can be a hell of a good musician without knowing your diatonics from your dyads...!
@@BillHilton I love this comment and found it very interesting. I’ve been playing guitar for close to six years now and I would say I’m pretty competent at it but still lack music theory knowledge, but, when I started learning piano, all of a sudden it all started to demystify in a sense and it’s amazing, just changing to a different instrument with a beginners mind and a fresh perspective has seemed to help a lot for me in my music theory journey. Still got a long way to go but the journey is more fun than the end in my opinion 😁. Thanks for your video btw, have a good one ✌️.
Not sure if it's Bdim7 specifically, but if you're talking about the one I think you're talking about, then it's a root position diminished chord arpeggiated from bottom to top and with an additional root note an octave up from the original. I say that with the caveat that I haven't played the game since about 1999...
Second time watching this with 6 months of playing and this makes much more sense. Even though your very first video was way out of my paygrade, I loved your strong Texas accent and thought you made sense. I subbed right away, and you've helped me develop my talent, but also my soul.
Merci beaucoup.
This si the best video about harmony i ever watched son far. THANK YOU SIR.
No problem at all! Glad it helped!
@@BillHilton awesome indeed
I've been practicing piano for one month. A video like this isn't really for the beginner, but I got something out of it. Merci for what you are doing, and I'll be coming back to these, especially as my pay grade rises.
This was extremely useful. I’m going to have to rewatch to absorb even more understanding.
Great teacher Bill, thanks for all your time and effort into these lessons.
You are such an inspiring teacher, Bill. The lessons share not only information, but your love of music. It's always a joy to watch. Best wishes.
You're very kind - thanks very much indeed, I'm really glad you like them!
@Andy Jayce Go away, spammer. You and your sock puppet account who both signed up three days ago aren't fooling anyone.
I have been studying music for two years full time . There are a few nagging insecurities to my understanding the basics and seven chords where the most frustrating. Not anymore.
Maybe I was just ready but I think it was because of the teacher. His clarity and concern is consistent: instead of rushing or leaving out the deminised chord ( always assumed to difficult for the u rtube dummies)he is concerned with his coherence and is as clear and complete finishing up on the deminished position as when he began with the tonic.
What bewilderes me is that no one has included the function of each type of seven chord and the added musical manipulation of the unique sounds to be exploited.
In THE AIMS OF EDUCATION BY Alfeed North Whitehead- if my memory serves me I have the correct name and remember him to be a phycicist who is also a philosopher and a teacher- he makes the point that your brain is not a tool to be sharpened now and used later. To conclude comprehension requires relevance.. I do not remember ever being told what the purpose of aljabra was as the teacher mumbled on the board or argued with a homeschooled professional student over a question. That's insane. No wonder I used the time to fantasize about the Jehlle sisters.
It is no small comfort to assume Mr. Whitehead has had his own frustrations with understanding as he is by credentials apparentpy no slouch when it comes to a background blessed with eurodite learning..
In an effort to stay on point I will finish by saying my instrument is the guitar but if I search hard enough the authentic teacher who is not practising a career consolation but is a teacher by choice and therefore knows how to teach does exist . This chap appears to be a case in point. I will no doubt be visiting his lesson on changing keys. Well done.
Hello Bill, great video.....yes quite overwhelming,but I think that one just needs to try and absorb the info slowly whilst sat at the keyboard and tinkling with the keys and just slowly bit by bit try and comprehend what you're saying. I find the theory fascinating and logical too,but struggle to always get it. I play around with what I can understand and slowly stuff does seem to make sense which I'm pretty sure I'm not at the moment as it's nearly 2am!!! I get addicted when watching your videos and time just passes in a flash!
Night night and thank you for bringing joy into my life with all you do here Bill☺
No problem Esther - really glad you like my stuff!
Excellent stuff. It took me a long time to get my head around this over my years of playing so it’s great to see it all put so plainly here, plus I still managed to pick up a few tips :) Can I please suggest a video explaining the way jazz chord symbols are notated please? Because I can still find the variety of different ways the same chord can be written as a symbol confusing even after years of playing.
That's a good idea, actually, Chris - I use chord symbols all the time but I don't have a single kind of one-stop-shop tutorial explaining how they work. Why did I never think of that? Watch this space...!
Bill Hilton Fantastic, that’ll be damn useful :)
Great video. I had always wondered what was the function of m/maj7 chords, what are they called and why I don't see them very often. To me, they sound kind of dominant. I'll find out more about them.
Thank you so much. I’ve been working through another tutorial (sorry not one of yours) on the song from Willy Wonka, Pure Imagination in E flat based on ii V I progression, and had to do a bit of a crash course on 7th chords. Only got through the first section of the song and started to get lost. Of course I came back to you for help. :). This video even 2yrs old was perfect and explained what I needed to know. Thank you!
No problem at all - I like to keep things nice and clear if I can, and I'm glad it helped you!
Great job, Bill. I really enjoy your videos.
No problem Ron - glad you like them!
I'm really loving the Major Seventh. It is just the most chill sound. Trying to work them into some improv, it's a bit of a challenge. It is not great as a tonic and it doesn't really want to resolve. I'm sure I'll get better with it
Glad to hear it, David! In major keys, you'll find it works best on the tonic and subdominant, the first and fourth chords of the key - so, for example, Cmaj7 and Fmaj7 in C major. Shout if you have any questions at any point!
love the 7th chord x
Hi Hilton, all seventh chords are really amazing in feeling, could you please describe major seventh minor seventh and dominant seventh scales likewise, just like every major or minor chord is derived from major or minor scale, thank u
Hi... Can you make a video about choosing correct chord voicings and inversions especially while using chord extensions like 9ths, 11ths and 13ths as they sound really bad and muddy when I play them. And they are also really difficult to play as these need two hands to play and not playing the root note in the right just feels kinda wrong.
Brilliant explanation!
Thanks Evgeniy - glad it helped!
I'm not too found of learning chords, but people say to do it, so I guess I have to. To me it makes about as little sense as teaching people about how sounds vary depending on the combination of letters. We remember it through the words we hear and memorize, not by learning the name for those sounds and how they relate to one another sequentially and such. It sounds useful for an encyclopedia or thesis, not so much for how to play music.
Great video Bill, Thanks! In regards to your Nord piano; how about making a video about it and if you like the Fatar action compared to a real acoustic piano's feel? Have you considered upgrading to the Nord Piano 4?
Thanks Robert! I may well make a video about the Nord soon, but right now there's a possibility that I'm going to be changing piano in the near future as a result of a partnership with a brand. All very up in the air, but I'm staying away from talking too much about the Nord until that's all pinned down :)
Is it possible for you to give examples from actual songs (or reharmonization of songs) that illustrate the use of those chords? I think it would be very useful.
Generally I stay away from examples like that because I'm very, very careful about copyright issues. However, I'll bear the feedback in mind!
Yeah, I understand it perfectly. Copyright issues can be really ugly. I was thinking more along the line of using some public domain tunes to demonstrate things. For example, one thing (or the only thing?) I know about using C7 chord is as a passing chord (am I using the term correctly?) as I'm moving from C to F. Perhaps you can find a tune in which such chord progression is present and give us more insight in what the difference the C7 chord makes in this context. I believe there are much more things that I never knew about!
Hi how are you. I hope you good . I'm a totally a beginner person to learn piano . I have some doubt in V7 chord .eg; In c major chord V7 is G B D F but ,why we use the three notes ( G F B) ? then where is the D note gone. Is any procedures ? Explain to me sir Plsee tell I'm totally confused plse sir I'm eagerly waiting for your reply.
I think my brain just melted...
Excellent - keep melting it!
Bill Hilton ha, good advice :)
Great job and thanks Bill. Looking forward to Inversion Voicing which makes Composition in more interesting ways. :)
The best.
I’ve been playing piano for 40 years although not very well but I find music theory incomprehensible. Thirds, tonics, diatonics, diminished, triads, seventh s. I think it’s not at all logical for what is 8 notes. I’ll keep watching to try and learn more.
I have a lot of sympathy with that view, Jon. The problem with theory is that while (most of it) is extremely logical, it rapidly gets complicated if you try to think about it in isolation from the piano keyboard - i.e., what sounds clear and obvious musically when its played (eg, dominant-tonic resolution) loses its simplicity fast when you try to explain it in words. Some people get very hung up on theory, which is why I said in this tutorial that it's best to get a sense of the theoretical stuff but then play about with it on the piano keyboard and figure out what *sounds* good - that's how you really learn, I think. I did tons of theory at school and university, but in fact learned it - without realising I was learning it - before that, playing around with old songbooks and figuring out chords. I kind of knew the theory, as it were, but I didn't know that I knew it - and to this day I think you can be a hell of a good musician without knowing your diatonics from your dyads...!
@@BillHilton I love this comment and found it very interesting. I’ve been playing guitar for close to six years now and I would say I’m pretty competent at it but still lack music theory knowledge, but, when I started learning piano, all of a sudden it all started to demystify in a sense and it’s amazing, just changing to a different instrument with a beginners mind and a fresh perspective has seemed to help a lot for me in my music theory journey. Still got a long way to go but the journey is more fun than the end in my opinion 😁. Thanks for your video btw, have a good one ✌️.
I had a strange association. Is the Bdim7 chord the type of chord that plays when Lara finds a secret in the very first Tomb Raider game? :-)
Not sure if it's Bdim7 specifically, but if you're talking about the one I think you're talking about, then it's a root position diminished chord arpeggiated from bottom to top and with an additional root note an octave up from the original. I say that with the caveat that I haven't played the game since about 1999...
???????
It wasnt really clear you hit the A# in F major
Excellent explanation!
Glad it was helpful!