Rick Beato

Music Theory For Songwriters - 30 Minute Full Lesson

The live stream is a 30‑minute music‑theory lesson aimed at songwriters, walking through chord‑progression fundamentals in the key of A major and using John Lennon’s “I’m the Walrus” as a practical case study. The instructor also promotes a bundled “Songwriters Mega Sale” that includes three video courses and an interactive book for $79. He outlines the basic triad formula for any major key—major chords on I, IV, V and minor chords on ii, iii, vi—then expands to seventh‑chord extensions and, crucially, secondary dominants (the V of each primary chord). He demonstrates how these “V‑of‑ii, V‑of‑iii” chords inject forward motion and tension, a technique common across pop, rock, jazz, and classical. The analysis highlights borrowed chords from the parallel minor: flat‑III (C major), flat‑VI (F major), and flat‑VII (G major) within an A‑major context. Specific progressions—A7 (V of IV) → C major → D major, and the sequence flat‑VI → flat‑VII → I—are shown in “I’m the Walrus,” illustrating how Lennon blended major‑key harmony with minor‑key color. The instructor also remarks on AI‑generated music, arguing that mastering these concepts preserves creative authenticity. For songwriters, grasping secondary dominants and borrowed chords expands the harmonic toolbox, enabling richer, more memorable melodies without relying on algorithmic shortcuts. The bundled courses promise structured, hands‑on learning to internalize these techniques, positioning creators to write compelling music that stands out in an AI‑saturated landscape.