Sonic Academy - A Beginner's Guide to Music Theory - Chords Part 1

In this course we show you how to get to grips with the concepts of chords. Whether you're making house, trance, hip hop or techno chords are an integral part of most popular music. We will show you how to construct chords and how to use them within your music.

Videos Overview

Tutorial 1 - Intro and Intervals

A quick introduction from Graham and then its down to business with an overview of how chords are made.

Tutorial 2 - Interval Examples

First up we take a look at a two note chord using real world examples.

Tutorial 3 - Triads

Moving on from a two note chord we add a third note, making a Triad or three note chord.

Tutorial 4 - Triad Scales

In this video we look at how to work out chords in any key.

Tutorial 5 - Triad Examples

Having looked at triad chords and scales now we use them in real world examples.

Tutorial 6 - Inversions

Looking at playing a simple triad chord but changing the octave of the notes to give us different variations.

Tutorial 7 - Borrowed Chords

In this video we look at how to borrow chord from the minor scales if using a major scale and vice versa.

Tutorial 8 - Borrowed and Chord Examples

Looking at an example of a classic track that uses both borrowed and inverted chords within it structure.

Tutorial 9 - Chord Progressions

Time to look at how to structure a chord progression.

Tutorial 10 - Chord Progressions and Basslines Part 1

Now that we have our chord progression in, time to extract a bassline from it in this first part.

Tutorial 11 - Chord Progression and Basslines Part 2

The second and Last part of Chord Progressions and Basslines.