• Introduction to Cyclical Progressions

    Cyclical Progressions

    In today’s post, we’ll be learning about cyclical chord progressions. Cyclical chord progressions are among the most common and strongest chord progressions in music. Learn all about them in this lesson.

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    Introducing Music’s Favorite Motion

    Thumbnail image for Introducing Music’s Favorite Motion

    If you take inventory of all the songs you know and analyze what your left-hand bass is doing, you’ll undoubtedly discover that most movements are that of fourth intervals. A perfect fourth to be exact. What is a perfect fourth interval? The easiest way is to think of it is the 4th tone of any […]

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    Ask Jermaine: “What One Thing Would You Learn First If Starting All Over?

    This week’s question comes from Michelle S in Oregon: “Jermaine, I’m enjoying your material immensely. I have a fun question for you that I’m just curious of. If you had to start all over, looking back, what one thing would you learn first to make you excel the fastest?” My Answer…

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    FINALLY CRACKED! How (and why) to use the circle of fifths to learn every chord in ALL 12 keys…

    Wow, what can I say…

    I think I’ve started something here…

    The last few weeks, I’ve been trying out a new format
    by taking really good questions from students and not only
    answering them personally, but sending them to our entire
    mailing list.

    This has resulted in a lot of love — and even MORE
    questions from dedicated students all around the world. I’ve
    received at least a good couple hundred questions that could
    easily keep me busy sending responses like this for years…

    But here’s one that made the top of the list. I think
    you’ll really be helped by my reply to Tyler. It’s long but
    packed with details. About 5 lessons in one.

    PRINT THIS OUT because it really is *that* important.

    ——————–

    ***Comment From Tyler N***

    Hi Jermaine,

    Dude, you are incredible. Your knowledge of theory is on
    another planet. Thanks for what you do man, for real.

    I’m trying to learn all 12 keys and I happen…

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    Let’s squash this once and for all… Is it really “circle of fifths” or “circle of fourths?”

    Here it is…

    The famous circle! Some people call it the “circle of fifths.” Others call it the “circle of fourths.”

    Who’s right… who’s wrong?

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    Here’s an exercise that’ll get you to remember “couples” tonight

    In yesterday’s lesson, I talked about couples.

    The premise was basically to look at chord progressions as small little “couples.” (When I say “couple,” I’m specifically talking about a pair of chords… just two.)…

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    The secret to using circular chord progressions in ballads…

    circle of fifths smallFor the past couple of days, we’ve been talking about slow ballads. If you’re just now tuning in, I recommend you check out both Tuesday and Wednesday’s lesson.

    Today, I’m going to show you how to take it even further! Right now, you know how to play a very popular ballad movement from the past two lessons — and the best part is that you’ve only used TWO chords!

    So, how do we venture outside of these two chords? I’m glad you asked…

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