Explore New Musical Possibilities
A Journey of experimentation through 5 videocasts
Ever wondered how some songs seem to find amazing chord progressions that nobody else would think of? The Chord Pathfinder series explores new ways of writing music using a powerful visual tool developed at the University of Liverpool. Through short videos, musical challenges, and real-world examples, you'll learn how to connect chords in unexpected ways, discover new sounds, and build your confidence as a songwriter, producer, performer, or composer. No advanced theory required, just curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to experiment.
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Episode 1: Introduction
The first video introduces The Chord Pathfinder, a fresh reorganisation of Gottfried Weber's classic Table of Tonal Relations. Amalia, Jack, Isobel, and Dylan guide you through a simple grid of chord connections, showing how neighbouring harmonies spark movement and colour. Together they trace musical journeys in songs by Kate Bush, David Bowie, and the Beatles, revealing how great writers travel through keys with ease. Ideal for beginners who already know basic guitar or piano chords, this series helps you hear why changes work, choose confident progressions in any key, and explore harmony with curiosity and playfulness. From start to finish.
Difficulty level: Basic. Knowledge of basic chords required.
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Episode 2: The Beatles
Episode 2 focuses on The Beatles, using the Chord Pathfinder to unpack some of the most influential progressions in rock. Isobel guides you through "Something" which shows elegant left→right movement across the grid, with those quirky backward turns that create its unforgettable instrumental colour. "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" demonstrate how tonal motion can shuttle in different directions, revealing striking contrasts between verses and choruses. Filmed around Liverpool and performed by University of Liverpool theory students, the episode connects musical insight with place, history, and creativity. Featuring special guest Tom McConnell of Novelty Island: https://abbeyroadinstitute.co.uk/staff/thomas-mcconnell/
Difficulty Level: Basic.
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Episode 3: Diminished Sevenths and Romantic Harmony
Episode 3 explores the expressive power of diminished seventh chords through the lens of the Chord Pathfinder. Dylan examines Clara Schumann's Sonata in G minor, providing a masterful case study that reveals how diminished sevenths create dramatic tension and unexpected harmonic colour within the grid's framework. The episode then presents a holistic harmonic analysis of Chopin's beloved Nocturne in E♭ major, tracing the composer's elegant motion between minor-third related keys and demonstrating how diminished seventh chords serve as pivotal connectors in Romantic harmony. Together, these analyses show how 19th-century composers used these versatile chords to expand tonal possibility while maintaining coherent harmonic logic.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate. Requires some knowledge of diminished seventh chords.
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Episode 4: John Coltrane
Amalia talks through John Coltrane's seminal music and his profound love of music theory. This episode focuses on more daring harmonic substitutions and explores the common ii-V-I patterns that form the backbone of jazz harmony. Through detailed analysis of "Giant Steps" and "Central Park West", Amalia demonstrates how Coltrane's revolutionary approach to chord changes creates stunning melodic and harmonic movement. The famous "Coltrane Changes" are mapped onto the Chord Pathfinder, revealing the systematic left-to-right movement that underlies these complex progressions and showing how theoretical understanding can unlock new creative possibilities.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate. Requires knowledge of tritone relations.
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Episode 5: Thundercat
Episode 5 looks at jazz-fusion renegade Thundercat and his classic tracks 'Them Changes' and 'Rabbott Ho!', also featuring a track by Esperanza Spalding. Jack guides you through perhaps more subtle and 'out there' post-bop inspired progressions, revealing how contemporary artists push harmonic boundaries while maintaining groove and accessibility. This episode explores how modern jazz-fusion artists like Thundercat use the Chord Pathfinder framework to navigate complex harmonic landscapes, creating music that's both intellectually challenging and deeply funky.
Difficulty Level: Advanced. Requires some knowledge or willingness to work with jazz harmony with extensions, tritone substitutions, etc.
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