Awhile back I wrote a post about three chords, the-chords-c-f-and-g. I thought I would elaborate a bit more since you've probably heard music teacher's say that you only need to know just a few chords to play any song. So, what are those chords? Here's a few points to know.
Every key has three chords known as primary chords.
They are groups of notes built on the 1st note of the scale, the 4th note of that scale and the 5th note of the scale.
These notes occur more than any other chord in a song but remember there are more chords throught a song.
Build the I Chord from C (in the Key of C) = CEG
Build the IV Chord from F = FAC
Build the V Chord from G = GBD
Remember the I, IV, V is based on the scale of that particular key.
Absolute
C
Db
Eb
Gb
Ab
Bb
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
Absolute
F
Db
Eb
Gb
Ab
Bb
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
Db
Eb
Gb
Ab
Bb
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
Absolute
G
Db
Eb
F#
Ab
Bb
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
Db
Eb
F#
Ab
Bb
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
You need to know these 3 chords so that you can play and sing in every key, in addition to C.
Key / Chords G: G, C, D D: D, G, A A: A, D, E E: E, A, B B: B, E, F# F: F, Bb, C Bb: Bb. Eb, F Eb: Eb, Ab, Bb Ab: Ab, Db, Eb Db: Db, Gb, Ab Gb: Gb, Cb, Db
By learning these 3 chords to any key, you can start off with Silent Night and then practice singing and playing this Christmas song in all the other keys. Are you familiar with the story of Silent Night? Here it is, www.wnyc.org.
For music instruction on learning piano chords, visit Chords 101 & 102 for the audio series.
Have fun with it. I think playing Christmas Carols is a great confidence booster to your piano playing!
Piano chords are formed by combining two or more scale tones (notes). You now know the notes that comprise all 12 major scales and you can play these scales smoothly. Apply this knowledge and begin combining the scale tones to form chords. You are now combining two or more intervals. The simplest and most common type of piano chords is the triad.
Here's detailed finger settings for hundreds of piano chords and scales, displayed in a graphical manner.
http://www.looknohands.com/chordhouse/piano/
A triad is composed of 3 notes from the major scale. A major triad consists of the 1st, 3rd, and 5th tones (notes) of a major scale. This is referred to as the root (1st), major third (3rd), and perfect fifth (5th). So, based upon this, C major chords would consist of the notes C, E, and G of the C major scale. The symbols for a major triad are Major, M, or Maj. Whenever you see these names or symbols following a piano note (C, D, Eb, F#, etc.) you know it is referring to major triad chords. Or if you are just given the note (C, D, etc.) it is inferred to be a major triad.
When you practice these major chords, I recommend you form them using the 1st, 3rd, and 5th fingers of your right hand. Thumb (1st), middle finger (3rd), and pinky (5th). Your left hand will form these chords using the 1st, 3rd, and 5th fingers also, but the numbering is pinky (5th) middle finger (3rd) and thumb (1st).
* Piano Chords-Minor Triads
You now know that combining the 1st, 3rd, and 5th tones (notes) of a major scale form major triad piano chords. If you lower the 3rd tone one half step it becomes a minor triad. So, minor triad chords are the 1st, b3rd, and 5th tones (notes) of a major scale. The b3rd is the symbol for "flatted 3rd". This means the 3rd tone (note) of the major scale is lowered one half step. You will also see this referred to as root (1st), minor third (b3rd), and perfect fifth (5th).
So, based upon this a C minor chord would consist of the notes C, Eb, and G. The symbols for a minor triad are minor, m, min. or -. Whenever you see these names or symbols following a piano note (C, D, Eb, F#, etc.) you know it is referring to minor triad chords.
Now, when you practice these minor chords, form them using the 1st, 3rd, and 5th fingers of your right hand. Thumb (1st), middle finger (3rd), and pinky (5th). Your left hand will form these chords using the 1st, 3rd, and 5th fingers also, but the numbering is pinky (5th) middle finger (3rd) and thumb (1st).
* Piano Chords-Other Triad chords
Two other 3 tone (note) piano chords are the augmented and suspended 4th. An augmented chord is formed by combining the 1st, 3rd, and #5th tones (notes) of a major scale. #5th (sharped 5th) means you raise the 5th tone (note) of the scale by one half step. Based upon this combination of tones, C augmented chords would consist of C, E, and G#. The symbols for an augmented chord are aug., (#5), and +5. Whenever you see these names or symbols following a piano note (C, D, Eb, F#, etc.) you know it is referring to augmented piano chords.
A suspended 4th chord is formed by combining the 1st, 4th, and 5th tones (notes) of a major scale. Based upon this combination of tones a C suspended 4th piano chord would consist of C, F, and G. The symbol for a suspended 4th chord is (sus4). Whenever you see this name or symbol following a piano note (C, D, Eb, F#, etc.) you know it is referring to suspended 4th piano chords.
* Fun with Finger and Chord Practice- Ezra Bufford
Chord fingering will become like second nature as you play chords in its root and inversions. Letting your fingers walk to the next chord, passing the note of the scale, will make the music flow. Sometimes the chord is not played on all 3 fingers with right and left hand. You can hit a C on your left and E G on your right to make a broken chord. Mix and match for variation. Of course let your ear judge which tone is good/better/best. Practice your scales, inversions, arpeggios, and of course your chords. Practice with the best and correct fingering from the beginning so you don't have to "unlearn" things later own. Get it right "slowly" from the start and then you will be able to fly faster later on.
* Audio Chords Series- Learn Chords from Hear and Play
Learn Chords
* Step By Step you'll learn:
How to form various types of chords: major, minor, diminished, augmented and the easy theory behind them. DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED. You'll literally laugh when you discover how easy it is to play all of these chords by ear!
* The classes of chords and the difference between triads, sevenths, ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths... all broken down in "normal," down-to-earth, language.
* One magic formula that creates all the chords you'll ever need to know. It involves two words: Quality & Quantity (and you need both in order to create all chords).
* How to form any major scale in seconds using my "Why Won't He Wear White When Hot" trick. You won't find this taught anywhere else because it's totally out-of-the-box. These are the tricks students need to bring theoretical, intimidating concepts down to earth... and to stop from boring themselves to death! The courses are full of these creative tricks!
* Easy ways to understand intervals (which are merely distances between notes). There are melodic intervals and harmonic intervals and you'll learn both. Simply put, if you can understand freeway signs: "Next exit in 3 miles"... then you can understand intervals!
* The secret behind the "number system" and how to use it to learn practically any chord out there with 7 practical examples.
I love teaching beginners, young children, and adults. I offer piano lessons for ages 3-103 and all levels from primer to advanced. We have a blast with piano games, playing duets, learning songs and theory.
I offer private and group lessons. I am a WunderKeys piano teacher for preschoolers, 3-years-old to Kindergarten. We have 2 recitals, Fall and Spring.
Thank You!
I've Been Mentioned!
Billie
“If I’m going to sing like someone else, then I don’t need to sing at all.” – Billie Holiday
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