How To Write Chord Progressions With NEGATIVE HARMONY [Simple Explanation]

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  • Опубликовано: 3 фев 2025

Комментарии • 2,3 тыс.

  • @MusicTheoryForGuitar
    @MusicTheoryForGuitar  5 лет назад +181

    By popular request: here are a few practical examples on how to use Negative Harmony when you write a song. They also explain the (important) difference between Negative Harmony and Modal Exchange: ruclips.net/video/heISdRNnEnw/видео.html

    • @pashabiswas8216
      @pashabiswas8216 5 лет назад +5

      Could not comprehend how G negative harmony became Fm and also how G7 became Dm7b5...???

    • @JoseRodriguez-pi8cx
      @JoseRodriguez-pi8cx 5 лет назад +13

      pasha biswas When you make a “negative” chord, you find the inverse of every note in that chord. For G, you have G B D, which invert to C Ab F respectively, aka Fm. For G7, it inverts to Dø7 because you add F, which inverts to D, giving you the notes C Ab F D.
      Another way of looking it is inverting the root, and then finding the notes with the same intervalic relationships DOWN from that root. So a G7 chord looks like G-M3>B-m3>D-m3>F, so the negative chord should start with a top note of C and go DOWN those same intervals: C-M3>Ab-m3>F-m3>D

    • @freecitizen2760
      @freecitizen2760 5 лет назад +1

      José Rodriguez : I like your “other way of looking at it”.
      Good explanation.

    • @Hekaamy1
      @Hekaamy1 4 года назад

      MusicTheoryForGuitar ii

    • @Hekaamy1
      @Hekaamy1 4 года назад

      MusicTheoryForGuitar ii

  • @cwade3198
    @cwade3198 4 года назад +568

    For the first time in my almost 64 years, I'm beginning to grasp the logic of music theory. Many thanks for your great instruction.

    • @Короткоіясно-ь8р
      @Короткоіясно-ь8р 4 года назад +5

      It’s not a “music theory”. It’s one more stupid attempt to replace education and practice with “one more simple magic formula which explains everything and requires no effort to understand”.

    • @Studentafmail
      @Studentafmail 4 года назад +25

      Yikes...

    • @Matthew-dr1un
      @Matthew-dr1un 4 года назад +4

      Коротко і ясно nerd

    • @mcaeln7268
      @mcaeln7268 4 года назад +11

      Коротко і ясно are you ok?

    • @AbdulAziz-fg7mr
      @AbdulAziz-fg7mr 4 года назад +13

      @@Короткоіясно-ь8р If he has a hypothesis and can be proven it can be called a theory

  • @XalphYT
    @XalphYT 4 года назад +939

    You have musical fingers. When I write notes on a whiteboard and then point to them, nothing happens.

  • @renejohnkerkdyk5006
    @renejohnkerkdyk5006 6 лет назад +676

    This is the best explanation about why and how negative harmony works that I have seen. Thank you, Tommaso!

    • @beregeer
      @beregeer 5 лет назад +1

      @@mcfahk beeing negative disharmonious? :-D

    • @malcolmbryant
      @malcolmbryant 5 лет назад +3

      @@mcfahk I found it very confusing. I am left puzzled as to what negative harmony actually is. Maybe further views will clarify.

    • @Padraigcoelfir
      @Padraigcoelfir 5 лет назад +2

      I concur!

    • @OrbiliusMagister
      @OrbiliusMagister 5 лет назад +15

      I learned about negative harmony for m Jacob Collier, and after some serious research I can say that this video is the best "for the rest of us" who are more inclined towards comprehension than performance: Simple, straight and with many answers.

    • @friskidinggo8780
      @friskidinggo8780 5 лет назад +7

      Not gonna lie, the accent helped keep my attention.

  • @adamedison6831
    @adamedison6831 4 года назад +22

    I'm a lifelong pianist, and I found this explanation very useful - that's the beauty of music theory taught well! Really nice job!

  • @candythiefmusic
    @candythiefmusic 5 лет назад +32

    When I started out writing songs, I wrote totally anarchic non diatonic progressions, and in the intervening decade it has transpired that there was a name for everything I did. It’s fascinating how any sound you can be drawn to has a relational logic. Who knew country music with a minor IV chord could actually be describe in terms of negative harmony? :)

    • @candythiefmusic
      @candythiefmusic 5 лет назад +4

      Also explains why I have always loved a I - bIII sound.

    • @nobnobnobnob
      @nobnobnobnob Год назад

      Four minor to One Major is plagueal cadence.

    • @jackhunt9725
      @jackhunt9725 Год назад +1

      I think a lot of times people just write music that they think sounds good, then someone will analyze it later on and create terms for everything. I took music theory in college and I'm pretty sure that's what my teacher told us about the course, that Beethoven and Mozart and other composers kind of did whatever and someone analyzed it later on to create "music theory"

    • @深夜-l9f
      @深夜-l9f Год назад

      @@jackhunt9725 no they didn't do whatever lol they also studied hard a lot. it was just called music. music theory tries to explain how music works, as it is a theory it's always developed to match what humans are doing. music theory is not just beethoven or mozart obviously

    • @jackhunt9725
      @jackhunt9725 Год назад

      @@深夜-l9f you're right, they studied hard a lot. They also wrote their own music based on whatever they felt sounded good. Mozart wrote the first version of "minuet and trio in G major" when he was 5 years old; I don't imagine he studied a whole lot before that, at least not consciously.
      My point was that the creation of music usually precedes the development of the theory that explains it. Innovation in music usually comes before explanation. Inspiration plays a big role in all works of art. I think we both agree there.
      I also said "Beethoven and Mozart and _other composers_ " in my original comment.

  • @wilsonramosguitar
    @wilsonramosguitar 2 года назад +4

    I've been playing the guitar for over 40 years and studying musical theory. And I have never met such a didactic person like you. Thank you!

  • @emmawynter5366
    @emmawynter5366 5 лет назад +25

    7:17 gave me an eargasm... so beautiful

  • @goodbeans
    @goodbeans 4 года назад +9

    A while ago I found the chord progression C-G-Fm-C and I couldn't figure out why it sounded so good, but this explains it so beautifully! Thank you for the video!

  • @cpia2002
    @cpia2002 4 года назад +85

    Easy way to think of it - Going Up the C Major (or whatever) scale, is equivalent to going DOWN the C (or same) NATURAL Minor Scale. This also works for the chord relationship. So C becomes C Minor , D minor becomes Bb, and say, A minor (6th up in the scale of C Major) becomes Eb (6th Down in the Natural Minor Scale).
    Try playing your C major scale up , then your C Minor Scale Down. Think about what number you are on (either going up Major, or Going Down Minor) and then that number becomes is the Negative Harmony of the other one :)
    So SCALE UP C, Dm, Em, F ,G ,Am, B dim ,C (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) Becomes = Natural Minor Scale
    DOWN Cm ,Bb ,Ab ,Gm, Fm, Eb, D dim ,Cm (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8)
    Just match the numbers and substitute the chord!

    • @sadiqqq
      @sadiqqq 3 года назад +2

      Great explanation, so simplified and easy to understand. Thank you

    • @whysolittlemoney
      @whysolittlemoney 2 года назад +2

      Hey
      Do you have an idea How the f does G7 becomes Dm7/B5 ?

    • @willwang22
      @willwang22 2 года назад +2

      @@whysolittlemoney write down all G7 notes and do negative harmony - it becomes Dm7/b5

    • @whysolittlemoney
      @whysolittlemoney 2 года назад

      @@willwang22 thx m8

    • @cs16331
      @cs16331 Год назад

      The hero we all needed thanks

  • @tomorama223
    @tomorama223 5 лет назад +9

    i love how this video explains the dominant function of a borrowed minor IV chord, like in all those Beatles songs.
    you could think of that Dm7/b5 as an inversion of the usual seventh chord of C.

    • @AEHcycling
      @AEHcycling 2 года назад

      the Dm7/b5 could also be seen as an inversion of a G7alt in a 2-5-1 in C major

  • @sambrenton
    @sambrenton 4 года назад +8

    I've been playing Don't Look Back in Anger for 15 years and I always wondered how the Fmaj to Fmin worked within the C major key, and now I know, great vid, thank you

  • @eblackbrook
    @eblackbrook 5 лет назад +625

    Well explained. One criticism though: In a video like this where your audience is trying to keep the chord progression you just played in memory to compare it with the next (negative) chord progression, having music playing in the background is very unhelpful.

    • @donpirla
      @donpirla 5 лет назад +25

      I always had to rewind and reaply every step, that fucking music kept distracting my brain again and again, how am i suppose to concentrate on a lesson if I have music in my hears

    • @Imagineyourmusiccom
      @Imagineyourmusiccom 5 лет назад +6

      soooooo true, wandering what they think when they do these tutorials...even if this one is very easy to understand and helpful

    • @ryanpetty8843
      @ryanpetty8843 5 лет назад +12

      From the perspective of someone who knows minimal theory and learns everything by ear, I found the music absolutely essential to be able to put it in perspective.

    • @IroAppe
      @IroAppe 5 лет назад +2

      It was a good brain exercise.

    • @oscarfernandogarciagallego4612
      @oscarfernandogarciagallego4612 5 лет назад +79

      I did not notice the background music until I read this comment...

  • @TheProletariat.
    @TheProletariat. 3 года назад +3

    I hear this when I play but totally NEVER thought of the musical science behind what I was hearing! I would not like ending on certain notes.. but this totally explains it.
    Now if I can just stop being "blown away" with amazement and focus on what he's teaching me... lol!! This channel opened up a whole new world to me! Thank you!

  • @kingdicelille
    @kingdicelille 8 месяцев назад +2

    The clearest explanation of negative harmony I've seen. A belated thank you.

  • @hanstaagen2066
    @hanstaagen2066 Год назад +2

    I hesitated to watch another video trying to explain it in a simple way. Im glad i clicked on the video. Good job

    • @MusicTheoryForGuitar
      @MusicTheoryForGuitar  Год назад

      Thanks! If you're interested, I have also a playlist where I show some application + some advanced concepts on Negative Harmony ruclips.net/video/qHH8siNm3ts/видео.html&pp=gAQBiAQB

  • @jamesdobrovnik
    @jamesdobrovnik 4 года назад +4

    This ones over my head presently sir. I’m still working on the fretboard note mastery instruction. Your lectures are by far the most understandable. I recently rediscovered my interest in the instrument. And obtained some nice gear as a mid life reward. 51 in a few days. Slowly things are starting to piece together. My goal is the sound and harmonies never heard before and really enjoy your content. Have a great day.

  • @sunnymittal1906
    @sunnymittal1906 4 года назад +8

    What an insanely amazing way to look at borrowed chords! I've been learning about parallel modes but this puts into a different perspective as to why it works other than just saying "the root note's the same." Love all your videos and you are quickly becoming my #1 youtube channel. Many thanks

  • @inyourfaceicity5604
    @inyourfaceicity5604 5 лет назад +4

    I didn't even know the term “negative harmony,” but it makes so much sense in terms of what I keep hearing when I listen to music. BOOM! New knowledge module plugged in. (subscribed)

  • @darrylem6157
    @darrylem6157 Год назад +2

    I watched this vid when I was pursuing a course in music theory and boy I felt like I was lost in space... 3 years after putting my music theory into practice, I can actually understand and see the application of ur subject. I can now create very interesting harmony from this. I also watched ur vid (the wrong chords sound better) where u built complex/ext chords from combining simple diatonic chords and I was in awe of how simple u made something that was seemingly sooo complex. Thank u for sharing ur wealth of knowledge Mr T. 👏👏👏

    • @MusicTheoryForGuitar
      @MusicTheoryForGuitar  Год назад +2

      My pleasure... and allow to throw my own courses in the pot in case you want to go at the next level: www.musictheoryforguitar.com/guitar-theory-lessons.html

  • @votch2798
    @votch2798 5 лет назад +12

    this was the clearest explenation of anything i've ever heard

    • @BloodyOrange1
      @BloodyOrange1 3 года назад

      Why do natives make so many mistakes in their written speech? Is that because we studied classical language variant?

    • @votch2798
      @votch2798 3 года назад

      @@BloodyOrange1 What?

  • @3rg3
    @3rg3 5 лет назад +179

    Usually I don't comment on videos.
    But this video was so didactic and easy to understand that it deserves to be commented.
    I did not know about negative harmony, but it was really good to learn about, because it allows you to give a different color (sound) to any composition.
    Thanks again for sharing this with us.
    Best regards!

    • @theofanmahmuti1053
      @theofanmahmuti1053 5 лет назад +6

      wow dude, you hear that. You're video was soo god that you got EDUARDO ROCA to comment. His comments are as rare as a pregnant female seahorse

    • @3rg3
      @3rg3 5 лет назад +1

      Hahahahaha, I nor understand nor know what was the point of your comment. 0_0
      In fact, you beat me. That was a rare comment...

    • @theofanmahmuti1053
      @theofanmahmuti1053 5 лет назад +4

      @@3rg3 as rare as my dad showing effection

    • @Kottesque
      @Kottesque 5 лет назад

      Whole heartedly agree...Ben fatto signore!

  • @JohnnyAGraves
    @JohnnyAGraves 5 лет назад +142

    Am I seeing a pattern? Always take the 1and 5 and switch position, flatten the third, switch the 2&4, and switch the 6&7 then flatten to make the minor scale?

    • @MusicTheoryForGuitar
      @MusicTheoryForGuitar  5 лет назад +48

      Yes!

    • @omarlopezrincon
      @omarlopezrincon 5 лет назад +18

      @ricky gervais My same question... an example with a different key tone would close the deal to understand this... more so because am writing my thesis on artificial intelligence that learns to compose music

    • @sholohhh
      @sholohhh 5 лет назад +12

      omar lopez thats fucking dope dude

    • @faselblaDer3te
      @faselblaDer3te 5 лет назад +6

      @ricky gervais
      If I got it right, it works with any scale (western tonal system seven notes scale at least) by just writing down your scale in a circle like in the video and draw the axis (perpendicular to a line connecting your I and your V) and exchange your notes as shown. Instead of starting with a C, you start with any other note, and instead of using the intervals of the major scale, you can use dorian, phrygian, harmonic minor, and so forth...

    • @Nexando
      @Nexando 5 лет назад

      Noted. Thanks

  • @sgoseofnbakansks
    @sgoseofnbakansks 5 лет назад +9

    your accent makes this even better i love listening to your voice

  • @yoemichelp_yoe
    @yoemichelp_yoe 10 месяцев назад +1

    Most accurate and comprehensive explanation of negative harmony. Everybody else fall short. Thank you a lot!

  • @matsa2620
    @matsa2620 4 года назад +1

    Easily the best explanation of negative harmony that I have seen anywhere.

  • @Hecatonicosachoron
    @Hecatonicosachoron 5 лет назад +8

    Nice explanation. I like to think of it as inverting about the tonic and transposing up a fifth.
    I also like to show that it works visually with the circle of fifths as well.

  • @apurvhellstinger
    @apurvhellstinger 5 лет назад +5

    Something I was trying to learn for months , figured it out in minutes, even took notes

  • @EduardoGarcia-yr7er
    @EduardoGarcia-yr7er 5 лет назад +4

    6:44 "D half diminished", Great video! Thank you!

  • @SamirPatnaik
    @SamirPatnaik 4 года назад +1

    Senor, I have been watching circle of fifth videos , on and off, for five years but I have never seen it being demystified before this video. Take a bow, sir. You are a genius.

  • @aayushsagar6898
    @aayushsagar6898 4 года назад +2

    Omg! Where were you all this time? I am gonna take notes! Thanks, this makes so much sense now.

  • @GiuseppeGavazzaAmbient
    @GiuseppeGavazzaAmbient 5 лет назад +14

    Brilliant presentation on this aspect of music fundamentals, much easier to understand than my college professor, thank you!

  • @lohyibang5134
    @lohyibang5134 5 лет назад +10

    I am so happy that I took the time to click on this video. Now I finally see in a clearly defined and crystallised layout what I have "known" instinctively for a long time but have been unable to explain to others or myself.

  • @ThePickingPythagorean
    @ThePickingPythagorean 5 лет назад +7

    This is an outstanding video. I have never heard negative harmony taught so quickly and concisely. Really impressive.

  • @eldjennemo2122
    @eldjennemo2122 3 года назад +2

    You were right !
    Negative harmony is very simple... when your teacher is good as you are !
    Un grand merci !

  • @barryschwarz
    @barryschwarz Год назад +1

    I did grade 1 music theory 46 years ago, and can play a bit by ear. You have made negative harmony quite clear to me. Thanks.
    I really wanted you to play that melody and then the negative melody.

    • @MusicTheoryForGuitar
      @MusicTheoryForGuitar  Год назад +1

      If you check out the playlist, I play many more examples in different contexts (melodies included): ruclips.net/video/qHH8siNm3ts/видео.html&pp=gAQBiAQB

    • @barryschwarz
      @barryschwarz Год назад +1

      @@MusicTheoryForGuitar Thanks very much! I'll check that out.

  • @BVR-fc9sn
    @BVR-fc9sn 5 лет назад +4

    I had 2 years of formal music study. In the years since, I've read countless books and watched countless videos. And now I just stumbled across one of the best music theory lessons I've ever seen! Your ability to present this material in a way that is easy to learn and use is the mark of a great teacher. Excellent job, and thanks for posting this!

  • @ortanchibiri
    @ortanchibiri 5 лет назад +16

    OMFG!! you just opened a portal to another world for me!!
    Thank you SO MUCH!!!!
    (I didn't have the slightest idea about negative harmony, even the name is new for me)

    • @nagiiboo
      @nagiiboo 5 лет назад +1

      Same here.

    • @philwithnotes
      @philwithnotes 5 лет назад +1

      Juanjo Abad It’s new because he’s totally making it up! Total rubbish. There is no such thing as negative harmony.

    • @ortanchibiri
      @ortanchibiri 5 лет назад

      @@philwithnotes Could you, please, point me in the direction of some tutorial, site or any other resource where I could find a more plausible explanation of the reasons why those chord substitutions do in fact work?

    • @MusicTheoryForGuitar
      @MusicTheoryForGuitar  5 лет назад +2

      First, I'm not making it up: Negative Harmony is not my theory, it's been invented/discovered by Ernst Levy, and musicians like Jacob Collier and Steve Coleman popularized it. I'm just explaining it.
      Second, yes, there are other explanations for those chords( like modal borrowing). I am making a video where I explain the difference and show how to use those tools too.
      The fact that there is more than one explanation does not necessarily mean that one is right and the others are wrong, especially if the two explanations bring different tools to the table.

    • @MusicTheoryForGuitar
      @MusicTheoryForGuitar  5 лет назад +1

      Here are some practical examples that show how to apply Negative Harmony and how it is different from the standard modal exchange: ruclips.net/video/heISdRNnEnw/видео.html

  • @keithcourneyea1609
    @keithcourneyea1609 6 лет назад +4

    Pure gold Tommaso! Sounds very natural to my ear. Now to digest and internalize.

  • @GeneAkimoff
    @GeneAkimoff 5 лет назад +5

    Dude! I haven't seen more concise explanation of that topic. Seven thumbs up! Loving your videos

  • @riffsfromtheabyss666
    @riffsfromtheabyss666 5 лет назад +5

    I like how his accent helps me focus more. Great content brother.

  • @Hide_and_Tweak
    @Hide_and_Tweak Год назад +4

    The only thing with that is if you want to apply it in another key than C major, you have to replace the axis according to the relative major key. For example, in D major, the axis would separate the top one: C, Db, D, Eb, E, F, from the bottom one: Gb, G, Ab, A, Bb, B. So the A7 chord would become Em7b5. It's interesting, cause you could explain these subs with other musical theory concepts and it would come to about the same results, but it makes me think of it a different way, and this is always inspiring.

    • @fromchomleystreet
      @fromchomleystreet 6 месяцев назад

      Yes, that was one thing he didn’t make clear. The REASON you place the axis there on the circle is because it’s exactly half way between the C (the root) and the G (the fifth or dominant) You just have to work out what the root and the fifth are of whatever key you’re in and place your axis exactly half way between them.

  • @bcmarcos03
    @bcmarcos03 5 лет назад +7

    The sounds of the chords helps a lot! thank you man! nice work

  • @luderz4490
    @luderz4490 5 лет назад +25

    This is cool, I've never heard of this or learned anything about it in school or anywhere else. Thanks for this!

    • @letBIGGIErest
      @letBIGGIErest 5 лет назад +2

      because it's not real music theory. this just some pretentious bullshit for modal mixture and borrowed chords.

    • @MusicTheoryForGuitar
      @MusicTheoryForGuitar  5 лет назад +16

      That's a good observation, platinum Diamond. Negative harmony is indeed similar to modal borrowing, since they both access the parallel minor harmonies, but they are not the same. As procedures, modal borrowing and negative harmony create different results.
      This is easier to see if you apply it to melodies than to chords. If you apply a melody and you 'negative harmony' it, you obtain a specific inverse of the original melody. If you instead proceed as modal borrowing, you would simply alter some scale degrees (the 3rd for sure, the 6th and 7th if appropriate) but the melody would not be inverted.
      This can be generalized to 4-part (or n-part) voice-led progressions: the difference is not in the harmonic progression but in how the voices are led. (It's a bit more complex than that, of course)

    • @MusicTheoryForGuitar
      @MusicTheoryForGuitar  5 лет назад +4

      Here's a better explanation of the difference, with practical examples: ruclips.net/video/heISdRNnEnw/видео.html

  • @moritzbattermann1710
    @moritzbattermann1710 4 года назад

    You do such a great job with explaining everything.
    I'd only argue with the resolving-patterns ( stable and active notes), or especially with the resolvement of a´.
    First my professor told me about, how you should see the a´ not only resolving up to c" but also to g´.
    With this technique you can either resolve a´ a stable g´ or you can make g´ "aktive" and resolve it in e´.
    To be faire, it doesn't sound "right" all the time.
    But with this way of thinking, it opens up a lot more possibilities,
    to especially work with negative harmony, to resolve it, most of the times, quiet more pleasing.
    All that aside, thank you for the great explanation and have a lovely day,
    Moritz

  • @nirangasithara
    @nirangasithara 5 лет назад +4

    I did not fully understand this. But now I need to learn those 7th and major 7th flat 5th chords. They do resolve amazingly !!

  • @roderickstaples127
    @roderickstaples127 6 лет назад +39

    Fascinating and brilliant presentation. Never heard of it before though. Thanks

  • @RoseCadenza
    @RoseCadenza 3 года назад +3

    This negative harmony idea is very interesting and makes a lot of chords that I hear in songs and pieces more sense. Thank you for going into depth on this. I took 6 quarters of music theory, and we never learned about negative harmony.

    • @ELLIOT8209
      @ELLIOT8209 3 года назад

      Just get the relative major minor and then replace the notes using the formula below.
      1 = 5
      2 = 4
      3 = 3
      4 = 2
      3 = 3
      5 = 1
      6 = 7
      7 = 6
      In major the first chord is
      C E G or 1 3 5
      In minor the first chord is
      C Eb 5 or 1 3 5
      In major the second chord is
      D F A or 2 4 6
      In minor the second chord is
      D F Bb or 2 4 7
      Just like with the normal change from major to minor the only notes that truly change are the 3, 6 and 7
      If your melody in major is
      1 3 5 or C, E, G
      In negative harmony the melody is
      5 3 1 or G, Eb, C
      With melody you retain the order of notes but with chords you rearrange into root note structure and then make your preferred inversions.

  • @LafayetteLeSaint
    @LafayetteLeSaint 5 лет назад +3

    Until recently I've never heard of negative harmony. I can't say I understand it all, but it sounds interesting. I'll have to play this video again and again. Thank you.

    • @MusicTheoryForGuitar
      @MusicTheoryForGuitar  5 лет назад

      If it can help you, here are some more practical examples: ruclips.net/video/heISdRNnEnw/видео.html

  • @ShellyManne1
    @ShellyManne1 2 года назад

    I absolutely love this video. I am a self taught musician who understands music theory. It took years of being highly focused and at times seemed an absolute impossible mystery but I eventually broke the code and I have an extremely solid understanding of theory and I have the guitar/chords/scales/modes etc. completely mapped in my mind.
    The biggest challenge I find on RUclips is finding a video that is at my level of understanding and yet allows me to expand my knowledge. I could easily apply this to writing chord arrangements. Especially since I love to write chord arrangements that move all over and allow interesting melodies. I wonder how often I’ve used some of these negative harmony chords.

  • @alexraulcastellvi4118
    @alexraulcastellvi4118 5 лет назад

    Hi Tommaso , hoping you doing well , I´ve studied classical guitar during my childhood , and nowadays I´m studying electric bass; and let me tell you that your point is truly shocking for me!! No one told me before about negative harmony! It´s fantastic!!! Now I'm subscribed tou your channel looking for more!! Congratulations!!! Greetings from Santa Fe, Argentina!

  • @davide7905
    @davide7905 4 года назад +2

    Finally neg harmony explained in a clear way and in few minutes. Thanks!!!

  • @Mr.kobemane
    @Mr.kobemane 5 лет назад +19

    Every beginner musician out there needs to watch this

    • @LowEndStrings
      @LowEndStrings 5 лет назад +2

      And probably no beginner will fully understand this. I think it’s more for advanced musicians.

  • @birgerbjessen
    @birgerbjessen 5 лет назад +713

    Nice explanation but PLEASE KILL that
    background muzak......

    • @budriley4807
      @budriley4807 5 лет назад +14

      yessss!

    • @larslundheim7606
      @larslundheim7606 5 лет назад +12

      Absolutely. The excellent explanation of the topic deserves attention!

    • @analogyouth
      @analogyouth 5 лет назад +8

      yes, I don't know if I can finish this because of the muzak.

    • @axelgschaider3227
      @axelgschaider3227 5 лет назад +1

      @@Qwerty-ks8dn it's italian flavored english

    • @M4NAH1MEK0
      @M4NAH1MEK0 5 лет назад +7

      @@Qwerty-ks8dn You know idiots are idiots no matter what,we're waiting for your Italian course,come please.

  • @dr.guyshkolnik_composer
    @dr.guyshkolnik_composer Год назад +2

    Great job explaining this concept! Thank you!

    • @MusicTheoryForGuitar
      @MusicTheoryForGuitar  Год назад +1

      Thanks! If you're interested, I have also a playlist where I show some application + some advanced concepts on Negative Harmony ruclips.net/video/qHH8siNm3ts/видео.html&pp=gAQBiAQB

  • @lucascarrion1851
    @lucascarrion1851 4 года назад +1

    This is the video I've been waiting for since the beginning. Thank you very much

  • @thechoripankiller
    @thechoripankiller 4 года назад +7

    Quick tip for memorizing this on any scale: The tonic are the same, but with negative harmony the chords pairs opposite ways (I with I, ii with VIIb, iii with VIb, VI with v, V with iv, vi with IIIb, and vii° with ii°. Or for those who don't know about roman numerals, 1st with 7th, 2nd with 6th, 3rd with 5th and so on)
    It is _negative_ in every single way lol

    • @commonpike
      @commonpike 4 года назад +2

      Edu Cabrera 1 with 1, 2 with 7, etc. You.made a typo.

  • @RobertIsMusic
    @RobertIsMusic 5 лет назад +4

    I been using negative harmonies for years without even knowing the name of the theory behind it, btw Killer lesson!! New sub

  • @roderickgorby1234567
    @roderickgorby1234567 6 лет назад +5

    This is the best explanation of "Negative Harmony" I've seen. I think "Negative Harmony" is probably a useful shorthand term, but the term is not descriptive, and the concept described isn't an alternative system of harmony, so it's a little misleading. While the following is more wordy, I believe it describes the process and effect a little better "micro-tonal axis derived chord and melody substitution system". Melody substitution system might be a little generous, since any "negative melody" will simply be an inversion. As a chord substitution system, it's not that far removed from mode mixture, and I'd dare say you might get more adventurous results by handing music to an undergrad and asking them to go crazy reharmonizing something. It is interesting that at the E 1/2 b axis that the relative stability of the tones is maintained, though I would say that phenomenon is more a coincidence in aligning the inversion axis so that nonstable tones map onto each other. The biggest problem with this system comes in hearing the process after the fact. Can someone, even someone knowledgeable about "negative harmony" determine from hearing alone that a negative harmony has been used, or that a iv chord has been used as a substitute for V? I've seen some extremely confusing videos where people who allegedly use this system, and allegedly understand it try to to explain it. Again, this is the best explanation of this idea I've seen. Thanks!

    • @MusicTheoryForGuitar
      @MusicTheoryForGuitar  6 лет назад +2

      Thank you Roderick. I agree with every single statement you make. And yes, at the end of the day Negative Harmony is simply an inversion that preserves the stability of the tones. For me it's just a tool among many others that you can use in your harmonic toolbox.

  • @kieranunsworth3102
    @kieranunsworth3102 2 года назад +1

    This for me is the best explanation of the theory and application of negative harmony. Great video, thanks for making this sir!

  • @michalmikolajmaslowski3994
    @michalmikolajmaslowski3994 5 лет назад +2

    Fantastic video, Tommaso! This has got to be the most concise & coherent explanation of the concept that I have personally heard to date. Thank you!

  • @SelfPropelledDestiny
    @SelfPropelledDestiny 3 года назад +6

    I made this for myself and thought others might benefit from this more universal info for transposition:
    All chromatic major/minor chord possibilities should be covered but make sure to remember symmetric property (i.e. if looking for VI remember to read right to left as well)
    Major and Minor Scales Diatonic Chords
    I = i
    ii = bVII
    iii = bVI
    IV = v
    V = iv
    vi = bIII
    vii* = ii*
    Nondiatonic chords
    bII = vii
    bii = VII
    II = bvii
    biii = VI
    III = bvi
    #IV = #iv
    #iv = #IV

  • @8cbr
    @8cbr 5 лет назад +46

    I like your style of teaching!!

  • @davewebb3847
    @davewebb3847 5 лет назад +4

    Wow. Excellent explanation. The mathematics of music fascinates me. It ties it to an absolute that frees it to be anything. It is the stuff of the universe.

  • @lauriehallcolemandowns7364
    @lauriehallcolemandowns7364 4 года назад +2

    I must say this was a much better explanation than I ever got from a Music Theory professor!

  • @saboorkhan7970
    @saboorkhan7970 4 года назад +1

    Wow! The matchless explanation my bro. Thanks for making my evolution to the revolution!

  • @RafaelUnplugged
    @RafaelUnplugged 5 лет назад +11

    Wow mind-blowing stuff delivered easily digestible.

  • @MegaNerds1000
    @MegaNerds1000 5 лет назад +9

    7:54 i actually loved this chord progression, i dont know why

  • @MsRobinbyrd
    @MsRobinbyrd 5 лет назад +9

    Wow! Thanks. I always just called it "The Beatles thing"
    You learn something old everyday

    • @Adventrium
      @Adventrium 5 лет назад

      lol, I was thinking the same thing

  • @owariyf3097
    @owariyf3097 4 года назад +1

    i have just recently found ur vids left a few comments ur the most helpful sweet man of all time if u have a vid series or anything i will buy it because u deserve compensation for this

    • @MusicTheoryForGuitar
      @MusicTheoryForGuitar  4 года назад +1

      I do have several courses available at www.musictheoryforguitar.com/guitar-theory-lessons.html

  • @Dr.W1zard
    @Dr.W1zard 4 года назад +1

    I rarely comment on RUclips videos but have to say thanks so much for this, negative harmony is a new concept to me and I find it very interesting and hope to apply it myself and with your excellent explanation I feel I understand it. Great videos from your channel man, thank you!

  • @dhaneshs131
    @dhaneshs131 6 лет назад +5

    This is so exciting and not scary anymore... Thanks Tommaso

  • @JacobZirkin
    @JacobZirkin 5 лет назад +5

    Wow this is really fascinating. The ii chord sounds really good when you changed it to the m7b5 chord

  • @Niamreg888
    @Niamreg888 6 лет назад +4

    Interesting concept, but the presentation steals the show!! Amazing!!!

  • @elobaninas
    @elobaninas 4 года назад +1

    Man you make it sound so simple, you are a great teacher

  • @jerrycordato3489
    @jerrycordato3489 4 года назад +2

    You are an excellent instructor! Thank you for your clear, concise explanations! It would be easier for me to concentrate without the unrelated music playing in the background. I always love your instruction and explanations.

  • @iopvixens
    @iopvixens 5 лет назад +85

    7:54 "it isn't sounded good"
    my J A Z Z brain: I don't think so.

    • @MusicTheoryForGuitar
      @MusicTheoryForGuitar  5 лет назад +19

      That's great! I just said that *I* don't like it, but I have no pretense to tell anybody what *they* like or not like :)

    • @t0ad_
      @t0ad_ 4 года назад +8

      @@MusicTheoryForGuitar you’re so nice

    • @MrSamuel1438
      @MrSamuel1438 3 года назад +1

      @@MusicTheoryForGuitar please do not confuse "not sounding good" with "less tonal". The tonal feeling is weakened, but it does not at all sound less good.

    • @MrSamuel1438
      @MrSamuel1438 3 года назад +1

      @@MusicTheoryForGuitar plus at this point, using negative harmony for some chords only is just a chord substitution with minor degrees...

    • @MusicTheoryForGuitar
      @MusicTheoryForGuitar  3 года назад +1

      @@MrSamuel1438 these are similar, but not the same: ruclips.net/video/heISdRNnEnw/видео.html

  • @rustyjames2202
    @rustyjames2202 5 лет назад +6

    Wow. I stumble onto this sometimes but never knew the principle.

  • @onlimi616
    @onlimi616 4 года назад +1

    Great explanation! I can't believe that for the first time, I'm actually starting to understand negative harmony.

  • @ejejej9200
    @ejejej9200 4 года назад +1

    My new favorite youtube channel. You are an incredible teacher! Thank you!

  • @vortexlegend101
    @vortexlegend101 3 года назад +3

    Lol this is the first vid I have seen on this channel and I am greeted with HELLO INTERNET lmao, great vid man

  • @markcorradetti
    @markcorradetti 5 лет назад +3

    Wow ! Great content ! I love the way you explained this. I thoroughly understand it now. It's not a big mystery at all. Thanks for the new tools in my toolbox. You teach very well, and resonates perfectly with me. I really enjoyed your video !

  • @zachtaylor1939
    @zachtaylor1939 5 лет назад +17

    so the negative substitutions come from the parallel minor scale backwards.
    1 = 1 (from minor scale)
    2 = 7 (from minor scale)
    3 = 6 (from minor scale)
    4 = 5 (from minor scale)
    5 = 4 (from minor scale)
    3 = 2 (from minor scale)
    1 = 1 (from minor scale)

    • @SynthApprentice
      @SynthApprentice 5 лет назад

      Oh wow, that just clicked! That's maybe an even easier way to remember this.

    • @artistwintersong7343
      @artistwintersong7343 5 лет назад

      I am trying to think (me?) if the same would be true in the reverse, too. Like, instead of C major start with C natural minor, then line up C major, start on the fifth and descend. OR am I loosing my mind but minor or major; thinking parallel (staying natural minor) and go in opposite directions, but the root of the first = the fifth of the second for its starting point. One goes up and the other goes down, not sure: C D Eb F G Ab Bb C (upward) would maybe = G F E D C B A G (downward)

    • @johnwilloug2717
      @johnwilloug2717 5 лет назад

      By my reckoning, not quite the parallel scale backwards, but please tell me where I'm wrong, if I'm wrong...
      1 = 5 (from minor scale)
      5 = 1 (from minor scale)
      2 = 4 (from minor scale)
      4 = 2 (from minor scale)
      3 = 3 (from minor scale)
      6 = 7 (from minor scale)
      7 = 6 (from minor scale)

    • @zachtaylor1939
      @zachtaylor1939 5 лет назад +1

      @@johnwilloug2717 i see where you got confused. you're comparing one note to one note. i'm comparing a full chord to a full chord. the negative harmony chords are spelled backwards if you do them note by note, but the triads are still clear. G Eb C for example is still C minor even though it's spelled backwards if you substitute one note at a time.
      C E G becomes G Eb C. in other words 1 (major) becomes 1 (from the parallel minor).
      D F A becomes F D Bb. in other words 1 (major) becomes 7 (from the parallel minor).
      etc etc for the rest of my chart.
      I hope that's helpful.

    • @johnwilloug2717
      @johnwilloug2717 5 лет назад

      @@zachtaylor1939 It is helpful, but I had to sit down and think about it a bit more. Thank you!
      OK, got it - but my non-musical brain means that as I change every chord note by note, I have no idea what the substitution chord will be called, and have to search around for a name for it. Oh well, a surprise every time.
      Just to check I got it right, in the example above, Fmaj -> Gmin, and Em -> Ab min ?
      If you have time to answer this, tell me where to send the tuition fee... : )

  • @technoguyx
    @technoguyx 5 лет назад +1

    Wow, up until now I did this sort of thing intuitively on my (attempts at) songs, and also noticed it being done on other people's tracks. This video helped me understand what was actually going on.

  • @kapresovsk
    @kapresovsk 5 лет назад +1

    nice and inspiring. my understanding of this transforms is that they are elaborations and experiments around standard blues: when you go C7 -> F7 -> C7, which is a common starting blues phrase, you get the change from major to minor scale ... in root of C. and then you just apply various substitutions. but there are so many possibilities that you really need a lot of experience to use it nicely, or you just pick one limited rule, or you do your homework, prepare a specific chord progression and play over it. thanks, keep up

  • @ryank6771
    @ryank6771 5 лет назад +275

    The thing about the 'negative harmony' trend is that it actually isn't accomplishing anything new in terms of harmony. These kinds of chord progressions have been popping up for hundreds of years as the result of voice leading and melodic motifs like appogiaturas, inversions, etc. and mode mixture and tonicization.
    The negative harmony wheel is basically just a simple tool to generate chord substitutions for those who don't really have a deep grasp on theory, but the substitutions it produces are not any different or more varied than what has been around for ages. Anyone with enough background in theory can tell you why all of these substitutions work without resorting to any kind of 'negative harmony' theory. I have nothing against it as a simple tool for those who are interested, but I'm a bit puzzled that everyone seems to think its a major revolution in music theory or harmonization.

    • @MusicTheoryForGuitar
      @MusicTheoryForGuitar  5 лет назад +95

      I share your puzzlement, and I agree with your observations. I did this video because people asked me to do it, and because I was tired of seeing Negative Harmony explained like it was some complex, mystical, all-powerful theory.
      To be fair though, while Negative harmony is similar to mode mixture, since they both access the parallel minor harmonies, they are not the same. As procedures, modal borrowing and negative harmony create different results.
      This is easier to see if you apply it to melodies than to chords. If you apply a melody and you 'negative harmony' it, you obtain a specific inverse of the original melody. If you instead proceed as modal borrowing, you would simply alter some scale degrees (the 3rd for sure, the 6th and 7th if appropriate) but the melody would not be inverted.
      This can be generalized to 4-part (or n-part) voice-led progressions: the difference is not in the harmonic progression but in how the voices are led. (It's a bit more complex than that, of course)

    • @martin_lane
      @martin_lane 5 лет назад +12

      True. Realize all useful theory are explanations of what has gone on before. And multiple theories can exist, some float others’ boats.

    • @johnmorrisonguitar
      @johnmorrisonguitar 5 лет назад

      Yes

    • @michaelcorcoran3942
      @michaelcorcoran3942 5 лет назад +9

      So how would you explain it without the wheel?. I dont like this wants to resolve stuff either. Its music after a while it can really just be anyway you like.

    • @DagaanGalakticos
      @DagaanGalakticos 5 лет назад +3

      rykirk algiz - I believe that calling this method of substitutions 'dark harmony' is simply to make it fun and mysterious, as one aspect of substitutions.. it's an interesting visual way of remembering the process. Funny how your comment matches your name.

  • @jamesruscio6536
    @jamesruscio6536 3 года назад +3

    Thank you for the ingenuity of simplicity in your explanation! I would love to see a video on chordal melody. The rules for proper harmonization with a single line melody. And if certain inversions are required for guitar? Thank you.

  • @jemsophia
    @jemsophia 5 лет назад +4

    completely mindblowing, thank you so much. let me pick my jaw up off the floor and write some songs with these principles!

  • @vincentmarcos4791
    @vincentmarcos4791 Год назад +1

    Tommaso nailed it, as the level of engagement with other viewers
    confirms , kudos facilitating discovery and understanding to your
    audience(a quick google)mentions to Ernst Levy in 1985, and Jacob Collier
    as revivalist since now this
    some findings after the first few hours of watching
    -
    the chromatic circle / graphical presentation aid is very helpful and considers going outside of the key which is embraced in jazz, the half dim in key C's diatonic chords is B I believed until now
    -
    This appears to convert as a Cminor aeolian scale: C D Eb F G Ab Bb scale
    notes resorted
    A Bb
    B Ab
    C G
    D F
    E Eb
    F D
    G C
    -
    diatonic 7 chord interpretative using excel data mining of big data
    CM7 Cm6 (w min 6)
    Dm7 Gm7
    Em7 Fm7
    FM7 Gm6 (w min 6)
    G7 Fm6 (w maj6)
    Am7 Cm7
    Bb5-7 Bb7
    3 note voicings, and then with characteristic chord note coloring will get added to practicing this so far cerebral process , time to get the ears out :)

  • @Z781-y2r
    @Z781-y2r 2 года назад +2

    You're a great music teacher,
    Im a keyboardist and i have learned many music theory from your channel ❤️

  • @youri76000
    @youri76000 5 лет назад +4

    Amazingly clear and inspiring ! 🙏

  • @DieZweiOldies
    @DieZweiOldies 5 лет назад +9

    Bravo!
    A very good explanation which explains to me some chord changes, which I usually identify more with the ears, in an understandable context, which now makes the application much easier.

  • @juandavila4534
    @juandavila4534 5 лет назад +4

    The first time i wasnt getting it i rewatched and i get it. Thank you! I like your accent haha

    • @BeN-bn5yb
      @BeN-bn5yb 5 лет назад +1

      Second to the ugandan

  • @רוןעשהאל-ג8ו
    @רוןעשהאל-ג8ו 3 года назад +1

    Very interesting and simple to comprehend. I’m going to apply it real soon!

  • @colinb.4236
    @colinb.4236 4 года назад +2

    Wow, this is awesome. I never thought about Harmonics this way!

  • @eriknestaas2270
    @eriknestaas2270 3 года назад +5

    so negative harmony is kind of like borrowing chords from the parallel minor key?

  • @JonFosterDrummer
    @JonFosterDrummer 5 лет назад +30

    Excellent explanation! The background music is slightly distracting. Otherwise loved the visuals!

    • @garykroening5168
      @garykroening5168 5 лет назад +1

      It would be nice to hear the excellent presentation without the background music, in order to let my mind to roam over the possibilities. Great work, either way!

    • @gropifiasco
      @gropifiasco 5 лет назад +1

      Slightly !!! zgrnglbrbrbrrr !

  • @alexanderzieschang2664
    @alexanderzieschang2664 4 года назад +3

    6:37 is the exact chord progression of 'All I want for Christmas' in the key of C.

  • @logic7878
    @logic7878 4 года назад +1

    Man, that was superb!
    Awesome clear and understandable presentation of the material

  • @Muchowski_B
    @Muchowski_B 4 года назад +1

    My oh my, your guitar course is tickling my fancy!