![How To Easily Recognize Chords- Alternate Chord Names [Songwriting / Composition / Ear Training] @SignalsMusicStudio](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Vqf75tl6aBA/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded January 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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Give your chords alternate names that describe their feeling. Doing this helps you identify them quicker, and makes composing much easier.
Skip to the Chord Associations at 03:03
Like this video? Thank my Patreon subscribers for sponsoring these lessons! They're the reason you don't see ads or sponsorships in the middle of my videos. You can join them here:
patreon.com/signalsmusicstudio
twitter.com/signals_music
facebook.com/signalsmusicstudio
signalsmusicstudio.com
Free online guitar lessons for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. Located in Crystal Lake, Jake Lizzio provides free jam tracks and video lessons for guitar players, as well as music theory videos and other music education content.
The Chord Progression Codex is NOW AVAILABLE! https://shorturl.at/bouLV
My pro theory + songwriting course bit.ly/2J2Nctn
Enroll in my Rhythm Training Course at ANY price! bit.ly/3wDacU4
Give your chords alternate names that describe their feeling. Doing this helps you identify them quicker, and makes composing much easier.
Skip to the Chord Associations at 03:03
Like this video? Thank my Patreon subscribers for sponsoring these lessons! They're the reason you don't see ads or sponsorships in the middle of my videos. You can join them here:
patreon.com/signalsmusicstudio
twitter.com/signals_music
facebook.com/signalsmusicstudio
signalsmusicstudio.com
Free online guitar lessons for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. Located in Crystal Lake, Jake Lizzio provides free jam tracks and video lessons for guitar players, as well as music theory videos and other music education content.
![How To Easily Recognize Chords- Alternate Chord Names [Songwriting / Composition / Ear Training]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Vqf75tl6aBA/mqdefault.jpg "How To Easily Recognize Chords- Alternate Chord Names [Songwriting / Composition / Ear Training]
The Chord Progression Codex is NOW AVAILABLE! https://shorturl.at/bouLV
My pro theory + songwriting course https://bit.ly/2J2Nctn
Enroll in my Rhythm Training Course at ANY price! https://bit.ly/3wDacU4
Give your chords alternate names that describe their feeling. Doing this helps you identify them quicker, and makes composing much easier.
Skip to the Chord Associations at 03:03
Like this video? Thank my Patreon subscribers for sponsoring these lessons! Theyre the reason you dont see ads or sponsorships in the middle of my videos. You can join them here:
www.patreon.com/signalsmusicstudio
https://www.twitter.com/signals_music
https://www.facebook.com/signalsmusicstudio
https://www.signalsmusicstudio.com
Free online guitar lessons for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. Located in Crystal Lake, Jake Lizzio provides free jam tracks and video lessons for guitar players, as well as music theory videos and other music education content.")
![Intro to Modulations and Key Changes [SONGWRITING - MUSIC THEORY]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Vxac3hHrxg8/mqdefault.jpg "Intro to Modulations and Key Changes [SONGWRITING - MUSIC THEORY]
My Complete Theory and Songwriting course is NOW OUT! https://bit.ly/38fs0sx My Patreon: https://patreon.com/signalsmusicstudio
Get the Ultimate Modal Poster! https://teespring.com/signals-ultimate-modal-poster
This video is an introduction to modulations and key changes. We explore many examples of modulations you’ve probably heard before, some which are direct transpositions up from their original key, and others that are more complex.
Key changes can be as simple or as difficult as you want them to be. At their heart, they make things sound different, so it can be an effective trick for extending the usability of a section to prevent it being bland, or to brighten it up or darken it by lifting it up or down respectively.
The following lessons are HIGHLY recommended if you are confused by anything in this video.
Writing in Major Keys: https://youtu.be/M8eItITv8QA
Writing in Minor Keys: https://youtu.be/j-j4g0ktPGw
The Dominant Chord and Secondary Dominant Chords: https://youtu.be/py4HaueW50Q
Borrowed Chords: https://youtu.be/7IdttvJSedg
Annoying Enharmonic footnote- In this video I refer to the keys of G# major and C# major which are theoretical keys. If I were to write this music out, I would certainly choose a key signature like Ab major and Db major, since double sharps (and B sharps) are a pain for me.
However, when referring to a key, the context is important- when we are transposing up from C a half step, we are literally sharping everything in the key of C, and it is helpful to think of that as C# Major. It is not, in my opinion, helpful to NOTATE it like that, which is why I included the key signatures of traditional keys and not the goofy ones with double sharps and what not. I’m only writing this because I know that by saying the words “G# Major” I’m going to receive an influx of comments saying that G# major is not a key, and if you decide to comment on me being wrong for that Im going to call you pedantic and annoying :)
LINKS TO SONGS WITH KEY CHANGES + TIME STAMPS (Links not working as intended- click link then skip to time stamp mentioned!)
Half Step Modulations:
Michael Jackson- Man In The Mirror 2:52
https://youtu.be/BbnV1x7cHjs?t=170
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough 1:34
https://youtu.be/Xz-UvQYAmbg?t=90
Whole Step Modulations:
The Temptations- My Girl 1:44
https://youtu.be/C_CSjcm-z1w?t=94
Whitney Houston- I Wanna Dance With Somebody 3:37
https://youtu.be/eH3giaIzONA?t=202
Didn’t mention this one in the video, but Whitney again with an incredible wholestep change in I Will Always Love You 3:10
https://youtu.be/3JWTaaS7LdU?t=167
Me – Come Back Home 2:41
https://youtu.be/bHwwJihitl0?t=140
Larger Modulations:
Mr. Big- To Be With You 2:28
https://youtu.be/L6-uJLteKek?t=131
Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On 3:24
https://youtu.be/AjnJDBHmN18?t=204
Bon Jovi- Livin’ On A Prayer 3:24
https://youtu.be/lDK9QqIzhwk?t=194
Parallel Major/Minor shift-
While My Guitar Gently Weeps (between choruses and verses)
https://youtu.be/bI8P6ZSHSvE
Parallel Mixolydian/Dorian:
The Beatles – Norweigan Wood (between choruses and verses) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_V6y1ZCg_8
Neighbor Key change-
Twenty One Pilots- House Of Gold (Between Verses and Choruses)
https://youtu.be/mDyxykpYeu8
Honorable Mentions:
The Supremes- I Hear A Symphony
https://youtu.be/zcylDkRw7dg
John Coltrane- Giant Steps
https://youtu.be/30FTr6G53VU
Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse Of The Heart
https://youtu.be/lcOxhH8N3Bo
Toni Braxton – Unbreak My Heart
https://youtu.be/p2Rch6WvPJE
I had to film this video FIVE times before I could start editing it. It was a disaster, first two times the audio was wrecked due to an intermittent low frequency hum that mysteriously started and went away. Third video I forgot to record an entire section (my fault for not working off a script). Fourth time the video was totally out of focus. Finally the fifth time I got it. It was a lot of wasted time and effort and was basically a lot of failure. The only reason I was able to get it right and not rush it out the door is cause my AMAZING PATREON SUPPORTERS are patient enough to fund these lessons and I don’t have to rely on appeasing the youtube algorithm by posting every week whether my videos are in focus or not!
So a big thank you to them, especially the following folks:
Joe Buote
Nick White
Patrick Ryan
Christopher Swanson
John Arnold
Jon Reddish
Brandon Combs
Sebastian
Morgan M.
Lord of the Chords
Billyshes
Phillip Sharp
Don Watters
Bradley Bower
Marek Pawlowski
Linas Orentas
This video has been reuploaded since I made a mistake in the first version- I accidentally thought Livin On A Prayer modulated up a half step (thats why its in that section of the video). Stupid mistake, should have double checked! Its why the editing is a bit wonky there :P
Also this video has been copyright claimed by like 7 companies before it even went live, I find that simultaneously entertaining and disappointing.")
![These 3 Chords will Make Them Cry - Minor Plagal Cadence [Songwriting Lesson]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YEadIDOBpuA/mqdefault.jpg "These 3 Chords will Make Them Cry - Minor Plagal Cadence [Songwriting Lesson]
The Chord Progression Codex is NOW AVAILABLE! https://shorturl.at/bouLV
My pro theory + songwriting course https://bit.ly/2J2Nctn
Enroll in my Rhythm Training Course at ANY price! https://bit.ly/3wDacU4
To begin our song writing lessons, we will explore the basics of diatonic chords, and learn how the minor plagal cadence functions. Also we explore several examples of the minor plagal (iv - I) in popular music. Mixing major and minor is sometimes a no-no but it can work to your benefit!
Like this video? Thank my Patreon subscribers for sponsoring these lessons! Theyre the reason you dont see ads or sponsorships in the middle of my videos. You can join them here:
www.patreon.com/signalsmusicstudio
https://www.twitter.com/signals_music
https://www.facebook.com/signalsmusicstudio
https://www.signalsmusicstudio.com
Free online guitar lessons for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. Located in Crystal Lake, Jake Lizzio provides free jam tracks and video lessons for guitar players, as well as music theory videos and other music education content.")
![Learn Legato Triplets to Play Faster Solos [GUITAR LESSON]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZORL0JBBscY/mqdefault.jpg "Learn Legato Triplets to Play Faster Solos [GUITAR LESSON]
The Chord Progression Codex is NOW AVAILABLE! https://shorturl.at/bouLV
My pro theory + songwriting course https://bit.ly/2J2Nctn
Enroll in my Rhythm Training Course at ANY price! https://bit.ly/3wDacU4
GET UR SHRED ON! Actually this is shred-lite, diet shred. Legato lets you play fast without having to learn to coordinate your pickstrokes. These techniques go hand in hand with the video I did on one-string scales, and I suggest you check that one out if you are unfamiliar with the concept https://youtu.be/TbbtxQQgi8w
Like this video? Thank my Patreon subscribers for sponsoring these lessons! Theyre the reason you dont see ads or sponsorships in the middle of my videos. You can join them here:
www.patreon.com/signalsmusicstudio
https://www.twitter.com/signals_music
https://www.facebook.com/signalsmusicstudio
https://www.signalsmusicstudio.com
Free online guitar lessons for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. Located in Crystal Lake, Jake Lizzio provides free jam tracks and video lessons for guitar players, as well as music theory videos and other music education content.")
![PHRYGIAN - Understanding and Using the Third Mode of Major [MODAL MUSIC THEORY]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZnoKgWnMEq8/mqdefault.jpg "PHRYGIAN - Understanding and Using the Third Mode of Major [MODAL MUSIC THEORY]
The Chord Progression Codex is NOW AVAILABLE! https://shorturl.at/bouLV
My pro theory + songwriting course https://bit.ly/2J2Nctn
Enroll in my Rhythm Training Course at ANY price! https://bit.ly/3wDacU4
The numerals in this vid are found on my Ultimate Modal Poster: https://teespring.com/signals-ultimate-modal-poster
Phrygian is the third mode of the Major scale. It has a uniquely dark feel to it compared to the other modes, thanks to the flat 2nd scale degree which forms a dissonant minor 2nd interval to our tonic. In this video, we learn how the scale itself is built, and also how it is a mode of Major. We also learn the chords of phrygian, and also explain several ways one can compose their own music using the phrygian mode.
Its an awesome scale that doesnt get a LOT of use for reasons that I dont go into in this video. It is the last of the video lessons on modes that I plan on doing for a while, Im not too excited about doing a lesson on Locrian! But my future videos will be referencing all my modal videos, expecially when I start getting into modal mixture / borrowed chords.
Like this video? Thank my Patreon subscribers for sponsoring these lessons! Theyre the reason you dont see ads or sponsorships in the middle of my videos. You can join them here:
www.patreon.com/signalsmusicstudio
A special thank you to:
Linas Orentas
Marek Pawlowski
John Arnold
Christopher Swanson
Marc Bulandr
https://www.twitter.com/signals_music
https://www.facebook.com/signalsmusicstudio
https://www.signalsmusicstudio.com
Free online guitar lessons for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. Located in Crystal Lake, Jake Lizzio provides free jam tracks and video lessons for guitar players, as well as music theory videos and other music education content.
Table of Contents:
00:00 Intro
00:16 The Phrygian Scale
01:19 Examples of Phrygian
04:02 Chords of Phrygian
06:03 Writing With Phrygian
08:02 Phrygian Dominant
08:40 Wrapping Up")
![The MYSTERY Chord - MinMaj7 (Minor Major 7th) [MUSIC THEORY / SONGWRITING LESSON]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Zr5hjIECFlk/mqdefault.jpg "The MYSTERY Chord - MinMaj7 (Minor Major 7th) [MUSIC THEORY / SONGWRITING LESSON]
The Chord Progression Codex is NOW AVAILABLE! https://shorturl.at/bouLV
My pro theory + songwriting course https://bit.ly/2J2Nctn
Enroll in my Rhythm Training Course at ANY price! https://bit.ly/3wDacU4
Thank you to my Patreon supporters! They literally are why these lessons exist. https://bit.ly/2zFwzOO
The minMaj7 chord is a hilariously unique and distinct chord that is almost universally perceived as mysterious, creepy, or uncertain. I ask all my students how chords feel to them and none of them have EVER named this chord with a positive or bright emotion.
Its good for a gag, but is also very lovely when combined in melodic ways. This video demonstrates the basics of the minor major 7th chord, the music theory on how to build it, where you may have heard it before, and some advice on how you might use it yourself.
A special thank you to:
Linas Orentas
Marek Pawlowski
John Arnold
Christopher Swanson
Marc Bulandr
My 80s single - https://youtu.be/bHwwJihitl0
https://www.twitter.com/signals_music
https://www.facebook.com/signalsmusicstudio
https://www.signalsmusicstudio.com
Free online guitar lessons for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. Located in Crystal Lake, Jake Lizzio provides free jam tracks and video lessons for guitar players, as well as music theory videos and other music education content.
Table of Contents:
00:00 Intro
01:27 Building A Minor Major 7th Chord
02:53 Examples Of Minor Major 7th Chords
04:32 Scales and Minor Major 7th Chords
06:53 Wrapping Up")
