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Archive for February, 2009

A Working Knowledge of Chords

February 18th, 2009

if you are interested in learning how to play the piano, but you just don’t want to wait for years to be able to play? Well, you’re not alone. There are many people out there that want to find a quicker way to learn to play music, and although you may think that learning to play is a long and difficult task, there are actually some learning methods that will enable you to learn quickly. Let’s take a closer look at learning to play with chords, since a working knowledge of chords makes playing the piano so much easier for you.

More Easily Learn to Play with Chords

One of the main reasons that learning the chords in the beginning is so important is because you can more easily learn to play with chords. If you know the chords, you won’t have to have piano tabs and you’ll be ready to start creating music. This is an even faster way to learn than learning to read music. So, instead of struggling along with another method of learning, try learning the chords first and then focusing on other aspects of learning to play the piano.

Explore the Piano in a New Way

Not only will you find that learning to play the piano with chords is so much easier for you, but you’ll also find that knowing the chords allows you to explore the instrument in a whole new way. You may not think that you have the talent that is needed to play the piano or to even improvise at the piano; however, with good chord knowledge behind you, you really can.

More than Years of Lessons

Although many people go through years of piano lessons trying to learn how to play the piano, you don’t have to do this. It does not have to be so hard for you to learn how to play. When you are able to learn a few chords, and then you go on and start using those chords to experiment with, you can really learn to play quickly without having to pay for many years of piano lessons.

Reading Music is Important Too

Of course while learning the chords is important to playing the piano, it’s important to note that reading music is important too. After all, if you plan to go on to play classical music, then you’ll need to be able to read music. However, learning the chords first before you begin learning music can be extremely helpful and can making learning to read music and play difficult forms of music, such as classical music, much easier for you.

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Basic Concept of NewAge Music

February 6th, 2009

To Learn The Right & Quick Way..

There are FOUR basic types of seventh chords: Major 7, Minor 7, Dominant 7 and Diminished 7. I will explains the construction and function of Major 7 and minor 7 chords.

Major 7th Chords

Formula: 1 3 5 7– This means that you use the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th notes of the major scale. (EXAMPLE: C E G B) (NOTATION: CM7 or Cmaj7) This is NOT the chord you play when someone says “C7″. That is a whole different animal. Basically, this chord is constructed by starting the MAJOR TRIAD and adding the SEVENTH note in the scale.

Function: The chord-functions of the major seventh chord are two: It can function as a I chord or tonic chord built on the root of the current key. It may also function as a IV chord (also called the sub-dominant. The IV chord is used to provide a temporary “resting point” and tends to want to go back to the I chord.

To fully understand chord functions, you need to be familiar with diatonic chord progressions and key signatures. I will later give you an excellent source of information about both chord progressions and key signatures.

For example, in the key of C Major, the I chord would be C Major 7(C E G B) and the IV chord would be F Major 7 (F A C E). What about the key of G? The I chord is G Major 7 (G B D F#) and the IV chord is C Major 7(C E G B)

Minor Seventh Chords

Formula: 1 b3 5 b7 — This means that you use the 1st, flatted 3rd, 5th, and flatted 7th notes in the major scale. (EXAMPLE: C Eb G Bb) (NOTATION: Cm7 or C mi 7).

Let’s try another one–how about Eb minor 7? Did you say Eb Gb Bb Db? Then you are exactly right!

Function: This chord functions as a ii, a iii, or a vi chord. These three chords all have a tendency to want to go to a chord a FOURTH HIGHER. For example, in the key of C, “Dm7″ (ii chord) would go up a fourth to “G7″ (V chord) which then would go back to “C” (I chord).

This well-known chord progression is called a”ii V I” progression. In the key of G major, the iii chord, Bm7 would want to go up a 4th to Em7–the vi chord, which then want to go up a 4th to Am7, –the ii chord, which in turn would tend to go up a 4th to D7–the V chord, which would then go back to G, the I chord and we would have a “iii vi ii V I” progression.

Are you starting to get the picture?

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