Discussing Chromatic Thirds in Music: Behind the Score - Episode 45
Added 2023-08-09 15:49:23 +0000 UTCAfter telling y'all incessantly that I hear a Chromatic Third in the music that I'm reviewing, I thought that it would be a good idea to actually discuss what they are.
In this video, I go into detail about these third/mediant relationships in music and how they sound different than the normal fifth relationships found in functional tonal harmony.
I hope you enjoy!
Comments
Thanks Lefe! I could prep and do a lecture on why diminished chords offer a great way to make a key change. :)
R. Douglas Helvering
2023-08-22 23:36:51 +0000 UTCThanks Thom!
R. Douglas Helvering
2023-08-22 23:36:14 +0000 UTCIf this all made sense to me, you have accomplished something! It helped that you were using a keyboard. That visual helped me to recognize the chords I use when I am composing, even if I can't name the chord. It sounded right and "sounding right" is my measure of success when writing. I would love to see more like this. I wouldn't want BTS to go away, but perhaps this is a new addition to what you offer. It was nicely presented in a way that should make sense to the experienced as well as those who are just curious. Thank you for this, Doug!
Thom P
2023-08-19 21:16:11 +0000 UTCSuggestions: a BTS about keychanges and/or diminished chords. Or why not both (Tony Banks once said that a diminished chord is an excellent way to make a key change).
Herr Lefe
2023-08-15 20:49:50 +0000 UTCIn jazz, you sometimes have an interlude e.g. before the next verse like: C - Ebm7 - Ab7 followed by Dm9 - G7 and back to C. Really cool stuff.
Herr Lefe
2023-08-15 20:47:41 +0000 UTCThank you for the lesson. I'm trying to develop a ear to chromatic 3rds. Yes, Genesis, and King Crimson are great examples.
Joseph Pasteris
2023-08-11 17:12:47 +0000 UTCSure. The chord roots are a third from each other (F and Ab). And, there’s a common tone…C
R. Douglas Helvering
2023-08-11 01:34:33 +0000 UTCThank you, Doug. I really enjoyed this ‘lesson’! I still don’t get it all, not by a long shot, though I can definitely hear and recognize the changes now. Loved your piano examples, too. Especially the Octavarium ones, well played! ;-)
Toby
2023-08-10 21:07:43 +0000 UTCThank you, Doug! I do believe that I've learned some things here. Even though I'm a drummer, I used to play around on a guitar a lot, and I used to love to see how just moving a note or two in a chord could produce a new "flavor," in the same way that you demonstrated on the keyboard. I used to play around with them for hours on end. When I was a kid, I had a favorite uncle who was extremely knowledgeable about music. He often wanted to hear some of the things I was listening to. He liked The Beatles (mostly). But I remember that I would play things for him that would employ some of the chromatic mediants that you discussed here, and he didn't like them at all. "They're just playing whatever chord they want to. They should pick a key and stick to it." I would like to see more like this, in fact. I wouldn't want the "normal" BtS to go away, but this fleshed out some of the things you mention when you're listening to music with us in a very nice way.
Bill Brinkmoeller
2023-08-10 06:52:10 +0000 UTCHere's Joe Jackson and big band doing everything Doug describes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbeqWSYTFAs&list=OLAK5uy_nUKJz7cLKosdG4vkm5xBAYMjzdkmG3LSs&index=16 And now I get it- Jackson used these unusual thirds on most of the music for this film, presenting what seems on the surface as typical 1940's tunes, but making them just a bit unsettling. Perfect for the theme of this movie.
Tom (the soggy one)
2023-08-10 00:57:25 +0000 UTCThat was really cool!!! It was interesting to discover that I've usd this sort of method before without knowing I had used it, as it just felt right at the time. Will have to watch the video again a few times, but with a finer tooth comb next time!!! Nice one Doug!!! :-D
Steven Charlton
2023-08-10 00:11:39 +0000 UTCWhen I search for "chromatic third" on Wikipedia, it forwards to a jazz oriented article titled "Coltrane changes." Wondering if you've heard of that term?
Fort-Man
2023-08-09 20:57:43 +0000 UTCI love these type of videos. I think I finally understood what this chromatic 3rd means. And I think I even used this a few times without having the technical knowledge but now I understand why it actually works. Doug, to understand if I got it right: is G#aug to F a chromatic third move?
Juan Ignacio Quesada
2023-08-09 20:49:24 +0000 UTCThanks Doug, very enlightening and interesting!
Howaard Hughes
2023-08-09 20:12:35 +0000 UTCI'm only 16 minutes in, I could listen to you Doug all day talking about music, Absolutely fab. Must take a break, food needs to be cooked. Just thought the C -> F -> Ab sounds very Elton John-a-like. Food for thought, but must be cooked... will resume later.
FallingLeaf
2023-08-09 16:51:02 +0000 UTCWow. A lot of the time the terminology goes way over my head, but this gave me a perspective as to why I like the bands that I do. Why it's not standard.
Arrow2theACL
2023-08-09 16:50:33 +0000 UTC
