"Music theory isn't a set of rules to follow, it's there to describe the music", that's fantastic. Happy new year paul!

I love Paul's transitions from Him just to Him(deluxe)

There is only 1 'rule' in music: if it sounds good, it IS good.

One of my favourite non-diatonic chords in C major is Fm7. The way it resolves back to C major is lush!

"The problem's all inside your head," Paul said to me. "The answer's easy if you take it logically."

7:30 “why all this sounds good is a topic for another video”- please make this video!!!

"When you know a few things about music but not enough to see the whole picture" I've never been described so well in my entire life.

Paul Davids, the only man who paints his heater to match his sweater.

The very moment you realise there are actually no limits in music, you start to dig deeper and deeper and this whole journey is amazing. I'd love to see you showing us more and more advanced concepts because you are wonderful teacher. Best regards

I like how Paul’s idea of his viewers is guys who wear beanies and impatiently yell at laptops 🤣

For those who are still confused: B major in E minor sounds good because the d# in B major is half step lower than the root of the key E minor which is called leading tone that makes a nice resolution back to the root (tonic). I hope I didn't confuse you even more xD

Dude, this is why I LOVE your videos... You've made me feel a lot better about the stuff I write... I'm always niggled and annoyed that the chords I use often times don't "fit in the key", and I'm left totally confused because they still "sound right to me"... For the longest time this left me embarassed to play my own songs in front of other muso's in case it wa a problem with my ear or hearing... I used to always be ready with the excuse "They're jazz chords" on the tip of my tongue in case anyone said anything, but nobody ever did... Now I know better thanks to you... I love your channel, and your chilled out, laid back style is just awesome... You are the quintessential Dutchman... Never change my friend...

For me Paul is the MKBHD’s version of music, his production is just.. beyond outstanding

Key being the "Place that feels like home" feels just right to say when describing hearing the key of a song.

Why would people dislike this amazing, inspiring, teaching, video. Makes me mad!

It's not only the guitar part that's so good but also the edit of the videos. Paul really is the best out here and has the most enjoyable videos. So glad I've found this channel:)

I like adding an E7 chord while playing in cmaj it feels like a guest to the other chords and I also stop for a sec after I play it so it gives the listeners time to feel that I have done somthing different in the song 😅❤️

I've always been a fan of moving from a maj7 to another maj7 a minor 3rd away, not entirely sure why it works but it sounds so chilled out to me

I feel like you just came up out the pyramid and handed over the Rosetta stone. This is a game changer. I have recorded a ton of great little nuggets and wrote it out and analyzed the hell out of it. Usually there's one puzzle piece that doesn't seem to quite fit. And that's entirely the point; to establish a pattern and then throw in a twist. That's what we notice. Fantastic videos. There are a ton of great teachers out there and you're work is WAY up toward top. Quirky, innovative, relevant, and fun. Puts a smile on my face every time. Thanks man.

I just love your videos, not only by how u explain things, but mostly because you use allot of FEELING instead of just tag straight to theory.

In the 60's the expression was "If it feels good do it." But in music, it has always been "if it sounds good do it."

You uploaded an unedited hidden version on KZfaq, so you can really pause it and answer yourself, to then re-edit the answer and upload the final version... Brilliant :D

Music is so much more than following rules, it's also about the path you passionately follow through and the results that come from it.

This was super helpful, been struggling to figure out how I “should” be using chords in a key and this really nailed it for me; use them to build up the structure but break it when you need to fit the mood.

Happy new year Paul thanks for the great uploads 😁🎸

The editing in this is 👌 Not only is it cool, it legitimately made it more engaging and memorable.

Paul is the only man I know who hang on perfection to match the color of his sweater, his radiator and the picture frame on the radiator. I love this man ! great explanations and beautiful video

I love this guys channel. I need to start at vid 1 and start from there. Watching him makes me realize just how much I don't know.

3:42 happy new year.mp4 to you too Paul :D

Patterns and repetition are what allow a listener to absorb a chord progression, even if it breaks music theory. You can get away with substituting almost any major/minor/dim/aug/etc. variant of the harmonic degree as long as you eventually return to the tonic (or not if you are modulating and changing key). A great book that explains this is "How Music Really Works" by Wayne Chase.

The music sense made sense and the video edit HELD my attention when i could have lost focus. I wanted to let you know; good video work too. Thanks again.😊

Great explanation. I never get tired of hearing an Eb or Ebmaj7 in the key of C. Love it!

I love the fact that every Paul's video he makes about music theory looks like an awesome Discovery documentary

“Dude, I totally miss you”- Tenacious D One of the first songs I ever learn to play and coincidentally it is in the key of E minor. They use B7 to land back on a minor as a home key. Check it out

The examples you played really proved your point. That's one of my favourite videos of yours (and I've watched many)... I think you helped a lot of people today :) Cheers.

The B major would be the chord formed from the E harmonic minor scale. Because the only 1 semitone from the 7th and the tonic sounds more as a resolution. So D turns to D# and so B minor turns to B major

When I write songs it's more like this. Ooh this chord sounds cool. Oh if I play THIS chord with that chord it sounds cool too. And if I play THESE notes on top of these chord in this way that sounds cool. Oh and if I mix them all up this way they sound even better!. Huh? Whats the Key? That doesnt fit Music theory? Oh well. It sounds cool. Lol.

When you put a beanie on you change into a completely different person. I was like "who is this deep sea fisherman talking to me about music theory?"

impossible to overstate how much I love your videos. you always answer questions I've had for ages, and you answer so clearly. plus, your dad jokes are on point. just wonderful work, my man.

You’re opening up a whole new world to me and I’ve played for years... thanks

Beautiful. Another example: the thrilll is gone - in Bm (I.e D) yet includes F#7 which has Bb - that adds all the excitement to the progression

Your interpretation is just of another level.... I learn many stuffs from your videos.. you are a great inspiration ..! Thanks for this videos ..! it really helps ..! And obviously Happy New Year ..!

I love the sound of the 4th chord as a minor. It is super useful :)

Hey Paul, right at the end you said the same thing I've personally lived by, my music writing career etc, no rules with music, push the rules and boundaries, change structures up from usual standard formats eg, time sigs!, on the beat, off the beat, experiment. Improvise a lot over of all types of music. New is exciting and different, You will also find YOU and how you want to play in the making! I'm almost 20yrs playing, still loving it.

Bb and Ab. The last one specialy just before C on way back.

The primary reason the dominant "V" chord is major in a minor key is because it has a stronger presence and pull towards the tonic due to the raised third, which is the leading tone that always wants to go back home to the tonic. For centuries the foundation of music has been built around the relationship between tonic and dominant chords.

So much light in less than 10 minutes...wow...thanks Paul

Would LOVE more theory related videos. Been feeling so stuck on diatonic chords because I figured it was a "rule" but this helped sooo much in expanding my ideas!!

Okay, but B in the key of Em IS diatonic if we consider the harmonic and melodic minor scales... I understand that the talk is about "opening minds without being too theoretical", that's a really nice idea and it makes complete sense for some musics and chord progressions, but historically the harmonic scale has precisely been "created" and used, or rather borrowed to the Arab Andalusians (if we consider European music of course), to use a dominant chord in a minor key to create that beautiful "tension/resolution" effect. But HM sounded too "exotic" or "colorful" (Andalusian Cadence speaks for itself) with the big jump between the 6th and the 7th, so the melodic minor scale was born as an "adjustment" that seemed a bit more "elegant" without the said jump. And the key is, if we think diatonic, the 3 minor scales are interchangeable (for example, in Baroque music, Harmonic Minor was generally ascendant and Natural Minor descendant). And I guess that, to explain a chord progression and how to use it, it's - in my opinion at least - better to understand first where it comes from. And that B in the key of Em (in the context of that cadence at least) comes from the European diatonic thinking, so I think it makes sense to explain it like that. Then of course, way later (or earlier too for modal music), other ways of thinking or hearing music (secondary dominants, tritone substitution, chromaticism, modal and more) were used, and for sure we can find some B in Em in these too, but it operates different rules that dont really explain properly the use of a dominant chord that goes to a first degree in a minor key , at least (one more time) in the Andalusian Cadence context as it is a diatonic cadence and the fondation of that video. These are just "different flavors". Hope not appearing too pretentious or pedantic as I like your videos and talk a lot! :-)

If think one could add that this chord sequence is centuries old aka Andalusian cadence (en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andalusian_cadence) popular in flamenco music.

I've taken so many theory classes and this made something click in my brain. Thank you so much, subscribed.

Concise and clear. Teaching experience shows man... think you made it the whole time without saying “leading tone” which I’ve found confuses many students. Appreciate it!!!

If you thought, that Paul didn't wish you Happy new year, then check the name of the video in 3:45

"There are no rules, ..." and that's the beauty of life my friends !

Man every time I watch ur vids I always get captivated by how you can play the chords, the guitar so freely and so improvi-sy. I hope I'll get to that level one day

After a lot of struggle and research I finally think of chord options as notes you choose to stay with. In Indian music, a Raag, is a choice of notes, with differences even in the ascend and descent choice to give us the melody. Then you add more than a single note to give us the beginning of double stops and chords. Then the inversions to change the dominance of all notes in play. A common change from our first Ionian/Bilawal scale is the 3rd major, giving us the harmonic minor. Choose the Raag (set and sequence of notes, more than a scale/thaat), in a key, then think of transitions (modes) to add variety and change...

I love playing diminished chords right before ending with a sharp 4, just to end of with some spice

Paul David’s teaching theory is like a perfectly buttery bagel

Hi Paul. I would really just like you to know that I had played guitar for almost 20 years before I ever watched one of your videos and I didn't know what you were talking about for a lot of things. But listening to you and falling asleep during the video or actually actively listening to you pushed me to learn my major and minor scales. I still don't have the drive to learn the modes exactly right, but I have noticed that some of the licks that I use inserting songs are modal. Honestly I don't know if I would have learned this much Theory type stuff if it wasn't for you and your videos. If I had money to donate you I so would and I feel bad for not being able to so I will leave you with this. All I have to give his gratitude and I am giving you all the Gratitude right now. Thank you so much Paul

Paul I have to say, I have watched loads of guitar videos on KZfaq. And you sir have got the personality and knack of teaching that is second to none. Your tone is very relaxing. Keep up the good work my friend. Regards Frank

This video definitely "unlocks" some hidden information. I'll see myself out.

Here's what I say to all those snuffs, "Who cares about theory, just play the damn thing!" LOL Keep doing you Paul!

This is one of a few videos you have posted that have really transformed the way I understand the relationship between keys and chord progressions. I think that the first was the one describing using borrowed chords to replace minor chords in the diatonic scale with major chords -- a transformation that you described as being at the heart of rock music, as I recall. Thanks. It makes me glad that I am subscribed to your channel. I have also just subscribed to your Patreon page -- the first time I have ever taken this step.

In the key of C I enjoy the nondiatonic cord of E7. It really leads its way back to that “1” making that C sounds so good when you get back to it again. Tension and release.

That Tele is really a beautiful Guitar

When it comes to non diatonic chords I essentially play just secondary dominant. I should probably broaden my horizons

Hello Paul, Laurent from France here, 47 years old, 8 years of guitare and still struggling . I recently found your videos . BUT i find that the way you explain concepts make things easier to understand and put it on the fretboard. Too bad for me that you do not speak french, i would have liked it so much in order to not spend ages to get the point from english to french out of your videos. Anyway, KEEP UP THE GOOD JOB.

Your videos are just the best. Thank you for reminding me of what I already should know, but constantly question.

I feel spoiled by Paul's lessons. After 25 years of guitar without understanding why stuffs are working, I'm starting to get a grap ... just starting. Thanks Paul.

That Chord Progression is called the Andalusia Progression i-bVII-bVI-V.

around 8:50 you say the right thing to know for a non-professional songwriters and arrangers! waiting 4 an interesting video about that )) staying tuned!

This does clear things up a bit, because I always tried to figure out the chords of a song by which key it is in and then using the diatonic chords, and most of the time there is that one chord that differs from the rest which make me frustrated as in "how can this chord fit if it is not in the key". This cleans things up a bit.

I've always seen music theory as a tool to help me to create music and write it down.

This guy has the ability to make simple things sound really complicated and yet make them extremely intriguing, thrilling and interesting even though you end up even more confused at the end of his videos.. it's genius

I'm fascinated with triads. I hope one day You will focus on just triads. Blues triads in particular. Thanks for all You do Paul. Awesome.

I know this video is older, and a few people have touched on this: however, here’s where my brain goes: The B major is simply providing a maj7 off the Em, giving a nice chromatic walk up from the previous D chord, landing nicely at home. This has always been an easier way for me to think about “chords not in the key”… they’re usually there intentionally with some nice melodic chromatic walk up or down playing on some part of a previous chord to guide us back. Anyway, love your content, just the way my brain works. Way less confusing to me than modes or dominants or borrowed chords or whatever else! Cheers!

I’ve got A Major headache trying to figure this out.

Didn't understand nothing...but still liked the video. The power of good video editing??😁

simply the best instructor ive ever seen ive learned so much ty Paul

Paul I absolutely love the way you edit your videos

Paul, please make a new video on ear training. I feel like i'm never gonna pass the beginner level until i can determine chords by ear

In theory we should just be playing but reality finds us thinking of theory. Cheers Paul!!

Paul, aside from your vids being ALWAYS very educational they are VERY beautiful!! I love the new studio!

Paul's illuminating the difference between the diatonic scale harmonization of a KEY and the "resolution to home" as the important factor in defining of a KEY is relevant and awakening. I have had this question every time I notice non-diatonic chords in a song and it has always puzzled and mystified me. It is quite a relief to have it clearly explained the several ways that non-diatonic chords exist in a key. Amazing! Thank you and hat's off to you Paul. I will continue to appreciate videos like this wherein you clarify common misconceptions!

Title: “What can I chords play”

Definition of perfectionist:- a man who paints his radiator to match his pullover..... and re-covers his settee to match his shirt.

Wow, there was a piece I wrote last year that went Dm, Am, E, Am in a part and this helps explain how it works.

Paul your aesthetic is easily the best out of all the KZfaq music channels I watch. You are an amazing man

Me reading the thumbnail: "What can I chord play?"

Paul knows how to exit the Matrix.

I wish I had half a clue as to what you just said! But I’m trying to glean anything I can from your teaching. Thanks.

The editing is superb answering everything

Woman yelling at cat meme: Woman: what chords can I play Cat: What can I chords play

Second Viewww Second Comment!!!!!! LOVE YOU PAULLL

I really like this, it helped me go back to where I play what sounds good! Not get locked on "The Rules"

I just love the storytelling element of your videos!

"In E minor it must be B minor, not B major." Japanese music: "Hold my sake, please." Well cuz' Japanese musics use the third major a lot...

btw: the colors, the lights and the production in this video are amazing!

In the key of C, Emaj, Bbmaj and Fm appear frequently in pop songs. And great video, now I can sleep knowing that the blues really works

One comment about a favourite chord sub. Years ago playing the tune "Comin' Home Baby", in a kind of funk soul style. I was looking for an alternative chord to replace the IVminor chord, particularly for the solos. I found that the a bVI7 (dominant) gave me the sound I was looking for. So, in the key of G minor it goes from the Gmin(or Gmin7) to Eb7 instead of Cmin. I still like this sound many years later if asked to accompany somene on this tune. Thanks again for a clear and concise explanation in this video, Paul. All the best for 2021!