Q. I read sheet music and i decided that it was about time I start to learn how to play piano by ear.
But that requires chords and I don't know which chord to use for a certain part of a melody since there are to many chords. How do we know which chords should be used?
A. That's pretty easy to answer. I have been in this officially for 25 years and doing this since 42 years ago.
The right hand part is pretty straightforward - up down or the same.
For the left hand part, you need to know how to form all the 144 chords (at least) using 9 formulas. To learn that, the formulas are as below:
My advise is to forget about scales if you want the fast track to getting chords. It will just like touching your nose the other way around. We can get back to the scale theory behind it later. In my profession, I strife to make learn as simple as possible for my 5000+ student in my 25 years of teaching. I hope this helps you.
Just think in terms of semitones (or half-steps in American Terms) and sharps and flats. With only 9 formulas, you can create at least 144 chords. There is absolutely nothing complicated with forming chords if you do it this way. Just peel open your eyes and ears.
You most probably would have already learnt that major chords are formed by pressing the Root note, next note 4 half steps up and then 3 half steps up. ie. C E and G in C chord. You can get every other major chords by using this R - 4 - 3 formula.
Now, to get the minor chord, just flatten the middle note (i.e. E flatted to E flat). So Cm chord = C Eb G. I do not want to use R - 3 - 4 because by doing so, you end up memorizing 12 formulas at least. I just want you to remember 9 for the time being)
Now for the 6th, 7th and Major 7th. (6th & Maj 7ths omitted. See reason below) Basically it means:
For 7th ADD a note 3 half steps from the 5th note. C7 will result in C E G Bb. These chords with "unfinished" feelings alway appear in pairs with root chords. I.e. G7 with C chord in C key; C7 with F Chord in F key; etc.
FYI, Yahoo answers has prevented me from submitting the complete article which becomes too long if everything is there. So you have to contact me to get the full picture.
For all the above, you will see that all these adds to the color of sound and like an artist, these are your shades that will help you paint your masterpieces. How you use them will determine the quality and output of your music.
With the above, you can create 144 chords at least. Test it out.
With so much 144 colors, you should have enough to paint your masterpieces. Only after mastering these, we worry about the 9ths, 11ths, 13ths later. If you take the course as I prescribed, there will be exercises and charts for you to put these into practice and also later, for reference..
To put them into your melody, you need to start being aware of the sound and the feeling (intention) of the song. Some part of the song will feel like it is getting stronger, some will feel like it is finishing, some will feel like it is unfinished. If it is getting stronger, you apply Chord IV (F chord if in C key); If the song sounds finished, you use chord I (C chord in C key); If unfinished, you use V7 (G7 in C key). There is a reason why you use G7 instead of G which can be explained in my course mentioned in my link.
As for the other chords like II, III VI and VII, they all convey different feelings and intentions. You have start getting aware. Then you will always get them right. In fact, you can even come to the stage of hearing the song and knowing exactly what goes where. It takes time to develop. I can do it. I have a course for that too but it is in Level 3A. You need to complete Level 1 and 2 first.
The above tips should be good enough to get you through the 1st stage.
There is a theory that the chord to be chosen should the based on the chord tone of the melody note. This will get you the correct answer only 70 to 80% of the time. This theory is a fallacy and does not help you to really bring out the best in a song. To prove me right, I would like to ask you to try that for Elvis Presley's song "Love Me Tender" or the folk song "Aura Lee".
I hope with these, you will have a good time making music.
There are a few more elements which you need to incorporate into your playing to make it to a hobbyist level. Check the below link to see the details.
What is a free place to get Church Music Lead Sheets?
Q. Im trying to learn to play piano by chords, but I still need the melody. Any places to find church music to practice on?
A. most church music is protected by the copyright laws
so they would be illegal to download for free
It would have to in the Public Domain, for it to be free and legal.
What are some good types for singing an individual note in a piano chord?
Q. I am auditioning for a choir soon and we need to be able to sing an individual note in a piano chord, i.e. sing middle C when a C chord is being played. Some tips would be great. xx
A. You really need to just practice. Sit at a piano and play a chord, and immediately sing all 3 notes in the chord. Then get someone to ask you to sing the top one, middle one and lowest one separately. You'll get the hang of it pretty quickly :)
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Title : I am just starting to learn how to play PIANO by ear but I don't know which CHORDS to use?
Description : Q. I read sheet music and i decided that it was about time I start to learn how to play piano by ear. But that requires chords and I don...