Who this is for
Players who already know the basic chords and want their songs to sound richer: worship and pop players, songwriters and anyone who has been told to "add some 7ths". Already confident choosing colours? Test out on Day 5.
Best done after: Seventh Chords, Suspended & Colour Chords, Chord Progressions. It is advice, not a rule: every lesson has short "rusty on…?" boxes for anything you skipped.
Why learn this
Plain triads work, but colour chords (7ths, added 9ths, sus chords) are what make a simple loop sound finished and professional. The trick is not to learn more chords, but to know **which colour suits which chord**.
Every chord has a job in the key: home, away or tension. A colour that suits the job sounds natural; a colour that fights it sounds odd. This program teaches you to hear and choose, then lets you try it on your own songs. As always: these are suggestions. If you like how it sounds, it is right.
What you will be able to do
- Which 7th goes on which chord
- Open sounds: add9, 6th and sus
- 9ths, 11ths and 13ths, and when to avoid them
- Choosing colours for a whole progression
- Using the Reharmonise tool on your own song
The 5-day plan
- Start with the 7th. Choose the right kind of 7th for a chord by its job in the key.
- Open sounds: add9, 6th and sus. Use add9, 6th and sus chords for an open, modern sound.
- 9ths, 11ths and 13ths. Know which bigger colours suit which chords, and the one place to avoid them.
- Colour a whole progression. Dress up a four-chord loop using what each chord does.
- Test day: dress up a song. Show you can pick the right colour for any chord in a major or minor key.
How each session works
Every day follows the shape of a workout. It starts with a warm-up that reviews earlier days, then technique: a short, plain explanation with a small interactive tool to try it on. Then come the working sets, drills with instant feedback, and a finisher, a short test with a pass mark so you only build on things you can do. A cool-down recaps the day and previews the next.
Choose your split
The daily split is a session a day: done in a week. The easy split is a session every other day, with rest days between: two weeks, and a gentler pace. On your own pace there is no schedule. Nothing is ever locked, and you can change split at any time.
Frequently asked questions
Will adding colour change my song?
It changes the mood a little, not the song. Start by colouring one or two chords and listen. If the melody clashes with a new note, go back to the plain chord for that bar.
How many colour chords should I use?
Fewer than you think. A plain chord next to a colour chord makes the colour stand out. Colour everything and nothing stands out.
Which colour is the safest to start with?
On major chords, add9 or maj7. On minor chords, the minor 7th. On the V chord, the dominant 7th. These are what your ear already expects.
Do I need to know the theory first?
Seventh chords and the idea of chords in a key help. The refresher boxes will catch you up on the way.