Book Review: Power Chords

A New School of American Music Workshop: POWER CHORDS (Booklet Only)


This little booklet is power packed an organized by the following chapters:

A. Where Chords Come From
B. Variations on the three Chord Types
      1. Major Chord Variations
      2. Minor Chord Variations
      3. Seventh Chord Variations
C. Voicing
D. Special Cases
     Slash Chords
     Augmented and Diminished Chords
E. Inversions
F. Jazz Voicings

So, in the beginning the three basic chord types are discussed.

Major = 1 3 5 (C E G)
Minor = 1 b3 5 ( C Eb G)
Seventh = 1 3 5 b7 (C E G Bb)


The most common variations on the three chord types:

Cmaj7 = C E G B
C6 = C E G A
Cmaj9 = C E G B D
C6/9 = C E G A D

All chords contain 1 3 5, the basic major chord and five note chords can be
handled by spreading the notes between both hands. Usually the left hand gets
the root (1) with an optional addition of the 5 or the 7. You can eliminate non-
essential notes in the chord (usually 5, perhaps 1).


The most common variations on the minor chord:

Cm7 = C Eb G Bb

Cm9 = C Eb G Bb D

Cm6 = C Eb G A

Cm maj7 = C Eb G B

All the above chords contain 1 b3 5, the basic minor chord.

The latter two examples (Cm6 and Cm maj7) would work best in songs in minor
keys where the chord is tonic. In other words Cm6 works best as a substitution for the Cm chord in the key of C minor. The minor major seventh could be used in the same situation. However, it is very dissonant and should be used with care.

The most common variations on the seventh chord:

C9 = C E G Bb D

Caug7 = C E G# Bb

C7-9 = C E G Bb Db

C7+9 = C E G Bb D#

Csus4 (7) = C F G Bb

C11 = C E G Bb D F

All these chords are possible substitutions for the plain sounding seventh chord, although not every alternative works in all situations. Experiment with this. Note that all the chords in this group contain the flat seven (b). An understanding of these C7 chord types will lead to mastery of the corresponding chords in other keys. Figure them out, write them down, practice them and memorize them.

Exercises on C Am Dm G7

This simple four-chord progression contains major, minor, and seventh chords. It makes a wonderful basis for an exercise with the chord substitutions. Practice using all the substitutions we have learned in this pattern until your hands are familiar with the chords and your ears are familiar with how they sound.

C = C E G

Am = A C E

Dm = D F A

G7 = G B D F

For more information on chords study, visit Chords 101 & 102







"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Friday Freebie: Peter and the Wolf

Photo Credit: delboysafa

 SERGEI PROKOFIEV, composing for piano at age five and writing an opera at nine.

Peter and the Wolf, written in April of 1936 for a children's theater in Moscow.
 

"Peter and the Wolf" is a childhood classic. Peter, his animal friends, his grandfather, the wolf and the hunters all have appropriate musical themes that make this piece a delight to hear.

I use this piece with my students to teach them about the many different instruments of the orchestra.

 http://www.musictechteacher.com/musicquizzes.htm


Here's a list of free resources on the internet regarding Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf.

1. Music for this song, http://www.911tabs.com/link/?6894700
2. History for this song, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_and_the_Wolf
3. Lesson plans for teachers, http://www.dsokids.com/
4. Audio clips for this song, http://www.philtulga.com/Peter.html
5. Lesson plans with recordings:
 http://www.classicsforkids.com/teachers/lessonplans_prokofiev.asp
6. Movie trailer, http://www.peterandthewolffilm.co.uk/trailer.html
7. Free templates, games, puppets, clip art and power point presentation:
 http://music.pppst.com/peter-and-the-wolf.html

Clip Art Credit: http://art.phillipmartin.info/music_peter_wolf.htm

Now there's a group called Peter and the Wolf and their song, Better Days.
The music chords are:

 
[A]          [C#m]
My old man, he sailed away
[D]             [A]
By a boat upon the sea
My mother held her head high
And smiled down on me
She said, "Boy, get wise
Work harder, do something with your nights
Look smarter
I promise you it's better days ahead"

aooooooooo

And you, you were my friend
When I had nothing to my name
When all the world turned on me
You still treated me the same

And we've been through hell, you and me
Caught drama
Girl tragedy, oh brother
I promise you it's better days ahead
Talk to me, now.

One of my favorite songs by Peter Cetera, is Glory of Love

VERSE:

C                        G                            C
Tonight it's very clear as we're both lying here
            F             C       G
There's so many things I want to say
C               F
I will always love you
Bb             Eb           Ab
I would never leave you alone
C                        G
Sometimes I just forget say things I might regret
C              F               C   G
It breaks my heart to see you crying
C                F
I don't want to lose you
Bb             Eb        Ab
I could never make it alone

     CHORUS
     C       F             C              G7
     I am a man who would fight for your honor
     C            F     Dm7            G
     I'll be the hero you're dreaming of
     Am7          Dm7     C        E
     We'll live forever knowing together
     Am             Dm           G        C
     That we did it all for the glory of love

VERSE:

You keep me standing tall
You help me through it all
I'm always strong when you're beside me
I have always needed you
I could never make it alone

CHORUS

Fm
Just like a knight in shining armor
Bb                Eb
>From a long time ago
Fm
Just in time I will save the day
Cm              Fm          Bb    C  G
Take you to my castle far away

CHORUS (with different lyrics):

     I am the man who will fight for your honor
     I'll be the hero that you're dreaming of
     We're gonna live forever knowing together
     That we did it all for the glory of love

We'll live forever knowing together
That we did it all for the glory of love

We did it all for love
 

Another great artist, Peter Townshend!

Let My Love Open the Door, by Pete Townshend (from Empty Glass)

This is mostly C-G-F-G C-G-F-G, all the way through.
 
C          G       F      G    C            G       F    G
Let people keep repeating that you'll never fall in love
When everybody keeps retreating, you can't seem to get enough 
Let my love open the door, let my love open the door
Let my love open the door, to your heart

When everything feels all over and everybody seems unkind
I'll give you a four leaf clover, take all the worry out of your mind
Let my love open the door, let my love open the door
Let my love open the door, to your heart.

Am
I got the only key to your heart
Dm
That can stop you falling apart
Bb
Try today your finest way (?)
G
Come on and give me a chance to say

Am
Let my love open the door
Am
That's all I'm living for
Dm
Release yourself from misery
Bb                              G
There's only one thing going to set you free

That's my love
Let my love open the door, let my love open the door
Let my love open the door, let my love open the door

When tragedy befalls you don't let it drag you down
Love can cure your problems, you're so lucky I'm around
Let my love open the door, let my love open the door
Let my love open the door, to your heart.

Then there's Peter, Paul and Mary, one of my favorite groups.

I could do a many blog posts on their songs and the impact they made on my life.

Here are the chords to 500 Miles.

Intro:
C   Am   C    Am
Dm  F    Dm   G
C
[ Tab from: http://www.guitaretab.com/p/peter-paul-and-mary/212239.html ]
       C                  Am           Dm             F
If you miss the train I'm on, you will know that I am gone
        Dm               Em     F       G
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
          C                Am               Dm               F
A hundred miles, a hundred miles, a hundred miles, a hundred miles
        Dm               Em     F       C
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles.

Lord I'm one, Lord I'm two, Lord I'm three, Lord I'm four,
Lord I'm five hundred miles from my home.
Five hundred miles, five hundred miles, five hundred miles, five hundred miles,
Lord I'm five hundred miles from my home.

Not a shirt on my back, not a penny to my name,
Lord I can't go a-home this a-way.
This a-way, this a-way, this a-way, this a-way,
Lord I can't go back home this a-way.

       C                  Am           Dm             F
If you miss the train I'm on, you will know that I am gone
        Dm               Em     F       C
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
    
 Happy Friday!

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Video Thursday: Japanese Swing Orchestra

Video of the Week

My cousin sent this video to me and just knew I would love it since I like Jazz
and used to listen to Benny Goodman tunes that my folks liked way back then.
These young kids play swing music with style! They've got rhythm and discipline!

A different song but same title, Sing, Sing, Sing by Chris Tomlin, is a good one!

E
We will sing, sing, sing
And make music with the heavens
    C#m7
We will sing, sing, sing
Grateful that you hear us
B
When we shout your praise
A                           E
Lift high the name of Jesus

E
What's not to love about you
Heaven and earth adore you
C#m7
Kings and kingdoms bow down
Son of God
B
You are the One
A
You are the One
               E
We're living for

E
You are the love that frees us
You are the light that leads us
C#m7
Like a fire burning
Son of God
B
You are the One
A
You are the One
                E
We're living for 

This is the new song. To see Chris & Daniel teach it go to worshipfrequency.com 

and join. It is a site that is operated by Chris and the guys and they have a 

lot more videos of teaching what they do. 

SING SING SING, Chris Tomlin

The chords to the song:

 E5
We will sing, sing, sing
And make music with the heavens
D2
We will sing, sing, sing
Grateful that You hear us
B
When we shout your praise
 A2  E5
Lift high the name of Jesus

E5
What's not to love about You?
Heaven and earth adore You
D2
Kings and kingdoms bow down
D2   B
Son of God, You are the One
         A2  E5
You are the One we're living for

E5
You are the love that frees us
You are the light that leads us
D2
Like a fire burning
D2   B
Son of God, You are the one
         A2  E5
You are the one we're living for 

        
Remember, all that 5-chords are is the first 

and fifth of the chord,leave out the third. 

How to Play an A5 Chord on Piano

By Rochelle Connery, eHow Contributor
 

If you're an intermediate or advanced pianist, you know that a chord is usually composed of at least three notes. The basic chord is made up of the first, third and fifth notes in a scale and can be inverted to create different sounds. However, an A5 chord uses only two notes, as does any basic fifth chord. The A5 chord is played using the first note of the scale, an A note, and the fifth note in a scale, the E note. You can play these in any order with the left or right hand.

Read more: How to Play an A5 Chord on Piano | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5900849_play-a5-chord-piano.html#ixzz1rm5z4H8l

So an A2 is A, B, C# and E chord.

What is an A2 chord, and what is an Asus?

Find the answer here.

A very popular worship song that can be used for background music is Sing Hallelujah. 

It's a good one to know for those special quiet times in church, like prayer or offering.

Sing Hallelujah

Verse 1: Cm Gm Cm Gm Sing hallelujah to the Lord Cm Bb/D Eb Fm Gsus G Sing hal - le - lu-jah to the Lord Cm Gm Ab Eb Sing hal-le-lu-jah, sing Hal-le-lu-jah, Cm Gm Cm Sing Hal-le-lu-jah to the Lord    © 1974 Linda Stassen / New Song Ministries Words and Music by Linda Stassen

Sing Hallelujah

Verse 1: Am Em Am Em Sing hallelujah to the Lord Am Em Am E Sing hal - le - lu-jah to the Lord Am Em F Am Sing hal-le-lu-jah, sing Hal-le-lu-jah, Em Am Em Sing Hal-le-lu-jah to the Lord

 

 

Having a chord vocabulary is so important in music theory. 

You may want to add to your music listening library and 

learn the number system by hearing the teachings of Jermaine 

Griggs on Chords 101 and 102 

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King