Video summary

【DTM】15分後に本気でコード進行が作れるようになる動画【徹底解説】

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas / lessons

  • Target audience & goal

    • The video is aimed at DTM (desktop music) beginners who want to learn how to create chords and chord progressions even if they:
      • have no instrument experience
      • don’t know much music theory
      • want to be able to construct chord progressions themselves

  • Recommended learning method (how to study the video)

    • Watch multiple times (if needed):
      • at first, don’t expect full understanding
      • then watch 2–3 more times
    • Hands-on practice while watching
      • open the download on your computer
      • pause the video on your smartphone
      • type/input exactly what’s shown
    • Take notes
      • taking notes in a notebook or smartphone helps more than just watching

  • Core chord construction (basics)

    • A chord (in this context) is made by adding notes together.
    • The lowest note of the chord is the root note (the chord’s foundation).
    • To form major/minor triads (based on the root):
      • Major chord (e.g., C major):
        • add the note 4 steps above the root
        • and the note 7 steps above the root
      • Minor chord (e.g., C minor):
        • same as major, but lower the “4 steps above” note by 1 step
    • The same logic applies across keys (examples given):
      • E major: root + 4 steps + 7 steps
      • G minor: lower the “4 steps above” note by 1 step
      • G# major, then G# minor by the same “lower the 4-step note” rule
    • Octave movement rule
      • If you don’t move the root note, you can shift other chord tones up an octave without changing the chord identity.
    • Triad definition
      • A chord made from root + (3rd or 4th depending on how the steps are described) + 7th tone is called a triad
      • After learning this, you should already be able to “input” triads for DTM

  • Chord progressions require rules (scales)

    • You can’t just chain chords randomly.
    • Chord progressions must follow the rule of a scale:
      • a song in C major scale uses only the key/notes belonging to that scale
      • a song in E minor scale uses only the notes belonging to that scale
    • Why scales matter:
      • they prevent chord progressions from sounding unnatural
      • they help later melodies stay in tune with the chords

  • Diatonic chords & scale degrees (terminology)

    • The video assigns scale-degree names:
      • root note = 1st degree
      • third note in the scale = 3rd degree
      • fifth note in the scale = 5th degree
    • Diatonic chords are chords built from the 1st + 3rd + 5th degrees of a scale.
    • Beginner guidance:
      • Decide the scale first
        • major scale → bright/energetic
        • minor scale → dark/sad
      • scale and key are treated as having the same meaning
      • you can look up scale/key info online
      • you can also use DAW features (examples mentioned): Cubase, FL Studio, or plugins
      • but the video’s approach is explainable without relying on those tools

  • Progression-building process (instructions emphasized)

    • Don’t try to memorize everything at once; learn step-by-step
    • Create progressions by using:
      • beginner level: diatonic chords following scale rules
      • intermediate level: add richer chord types based on the same scale degrees

  • Intermediate chord types (how to extend chords)

    • The video demonstrates adding “color” using:
      • Seventh chords
      • Suspended chords (sus4 / sus2)
      • Ninth chords
    • F minor 7
      • Start from F minor formed via diatonic 1st, 3rd, 5th degrees
      • To make it minor 7, add the 7th degree from the root
    • Suspended 4 (and suspended 2)
      • Move the 3rd degree:
        • move it to the 2nd degree → suspended 2
        • move it to the 4th degree → SUS4
      • The video notes:
        • sus2 / “percussive 2” has a sound that’s not purely bright or dark
        • useful for adding variation to repeating progressions
    • A flat 9
      • Take the “suspended chord” example (described as “sand chord” due to subtitle error, likely meaning the base chord being extended)
      • then add the 9th note to complete the 9th chord
    • Overall guidance:
      • mixing 7ths + 9ths + sus4 can make progressions sound cooler
      • transitions should be smoothed by adjusting chord tones thoughtfully

  • Making progressions feel cohesive (voice-leading idea)

    • A progression can sound disjointed if pitches “jump” too much.
    • Adjustment strategy:
      • Keep the root note (lowest root) from changing when possible
      • move chord tones (and/or add to them) so the connection between chords is smoother
      • aim for smaller pitch motion between chords
    • Result:
      • a more balanced, cohesive progression where pitches don’t swing as wildly

  • How the video ties the levels together (final construction)

    • Break down the desired progression into parts:
      • first think in terms of root notes
      • then input example chords:
        • A flat 9
        • F minor 7
        • C minor 7
        • B flat suspended 4
    • Then use beginner + intermediate knowledge to:
      • fill in the chords between
      • adjust pitch/voicings so chords connect better
    • Finally:
      • compare three levels using piano and a demo song (audio comparison section)

  • Tool recommendation (optional, for deeper understanding)

    • Plugin recommended: Scaler 2
      • What it offers (as stated):
        • diatonic chords based on your chosen scale
        • tension chords such as 7ths and 9ths
        • voicing suggestions
        • genre-suitable chord progressions
        • backing tracks for the progression
        • performance/melody generation
        • many sound sources (piano, guitar, synth, strings, etc.)
      • Pricing/positioning claims:
        • not usually heavily discounted all year
        • recommended even at full price for people who struggle with advanced progressions
        • stated as a top-rated plugin on Plugin Boutique (number one, 5-star, 36,454 votes)

  • Closing encouragement

    • Even if you don’t understand perfectly, learning it still matters.
    • Practice by typing the examples yourself while watching slowly.
    • If you liked it: subscribe and like.
    • End of video callout: “Thank you for watching…”

Detailed bullet-point methodology / instructions

  • How to learn the video effectively

    • Watch once; note that you may not get everything immediately.
    • If needed, watch again 2–3 more times.
    • Use the download on your computer.
    • Pause the video on your smartphone as needed.
    • Input/type exactly what is shown.
    • Take notes in a notebook or smartphone.

  • Chord construction (major/minor)

    • Choose a root note.
    • For a major chord:
      • add the note 4 steps above the root
      • add the note 7 steps above the root
    • For a minor chord:
      • start from the major construction
      • lower the “4 steps above” note by 1 step
    • To change voicing without changing chord identity:
      • keep the root note fixed
      • move other chord tones up by octave(s) if desired.

  • Chord progression construction using scales

    • Choose a scale first (major or minor).
    • Use only the keys/notes belonging to that scale.
    • Build chords using diatonic chords:
      • chord tones = 1st + 3rd + 5th degrees of the scale.
    • Avoid putting chords together arbitrarily; follow the scale rule to prevent unnatural-sounding progressions and keep melodies compatible.

  • Intermediate extensions

    • To make a minor 7 chord:
      • start with the minor diatonic triad
      • then add the 7th degree from the root
    • To create sus2 / sus4:
      • adjust the position of the 3rd degree:
        • move it to 2nd degree → suspended 2
        • move it to 4th degree → SUS4
    • To create 9th chords:
      • take the base chord
      • add the 9th degree/note to form the 9 chord.

  • Make progressions sound connected (voice-leading strategy)

    • When possible, keep the lowest/root note unchanged across chords.
    • Adjust/move chord tones so pitch motion between chords is reduced.
    • If the progression sounds like it “doesn’t come together,” re-check pitch movement and re-voice chords.

  • Final assembly approach

    • Define the key/root-based backbone (start with root-note thinking).
    • Input example extended chords (A♭9, Fm7, Cm7, B♭sus4).
    • Fill in the missing chords using:
      • diatonic (beginner) rules
      • extensions (intermediate) rules
    • Adjust pitch/voicings for smoother connections.
    • Compare against a simpler baseline (piano + demo song).

  • Optional workflow

    • Use Scaler 2 to generate:
      • diatonic chords
      • tension chords (7ths/9ths)
      • voicings
      • chord progressions
      • backing tracks
      • melody/performance suggestions
      • instrument/sound sources.

Speakers / sources featured

  • Speaker: An unnamed presenter/instructor (the video host; direct narration is referenced throughout).
  • Tools / sources mentioned:
    • Cubase
    • FL Studio
    • Scaler 2 (paid plugin; recommended by the instructor)
    • Plugin Boutique (used as a source for rating/vote claims)

Original video