Ear Training with Beatles Songs

Introduction

• Training the ear to recognize chords is a valuable skill.
• Beatles songs serve as excellent examples to identify various chords.
• The video focuses on ear training based on Beatles songs to recognize different chords in musical context.

Chords and Examples

1. Tonic Chord (One Chord)

• Example: "Let It Be"
• Characteristics: Complete resolution, typically ends a song.
• Key Example: In the key of C, the tonic chord is C.

2. Dominant Chord (Five Chord)

• Example: "Yellow Submarine"
• Characteristics: Wants to resolve back to the tonic chord.
• Key Example: In the key of G flat, the dominant chord is D flat.

3. Subdominant Chord (Four Chord)

• Example: "Love Me Do"
• Characteristics: Similar to dominant but less urgent.
• Key Example: In the key of G, the subdominant chord is C.

4. Supertonic Chord (Two Chord)

• Example: "Don't Let Me Down"
• Characteristics: Minor by default.
• Key Example: In the key of E, the supertonic chord is F# minor.

5. Minor Subdominant (Minor Four Chord)

• Example: "In My Life"
• Characteristics: Major four to minor four transition.
• Key Example: In the key of A major, the minor four chord is D minor.

6. Submediant (Six Chord)

• Example: "Happiness is a Warm Gun"
• Characteristics: Offers an alternative place to rest, minor conclusion.
• Key Example: In the key of C, the submediant chord is A minor.

7. Mediant (Three Chord)

• Example: "Help"
• Characteristics: In-between quality, neither rest nor tense.
• Key Example: In the key of A major, the mediant chord is C# minor.

8. Flat Sixth Chord

• Example: "It Won't Be Long"
• Characteristics: Major built on the flattened sixth degree.
• Key Example: In the key of E major, the flat sixth chord is C major.

9. Flat Seventh Chord

• Example: "Hey Jude"
• Characteristics: Chromatic chord, doesn't belong in the key.

10. Flat Third Chord

• Example: "Magical Mystery Tour"
• Characteristics: Major chord on lowered third degree.

11. Major Supertonic (Major Two Chord)

• Example: "Eight Days a Week"
• Characteristics: Bright, colorful sound.

Chords in Minor Key Context

1. Tonic Chord in Minor

• Example: "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
• Characteristics: Full rest, darker tone compared to major.

2. Submediant in Minor Key

• Example: "Eleanor Rigby"
• Characteristics: Momentary brightness, resolves back to one.

Identifying Chord Types

• Augmented Chord: "Oh! Darling" features an E augmented triad.
• Sixth Chord: "The Fool on the Hill" opens with a sixth chord.
• Suspended Chord (Sus4): "For No One" features a G sus4 resolving to G major.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to practice ear training using tools like Tone Gym.
• Suggestions to explore other bands for similar training, e.g., Radiohead.