Q. I've recently begun trying to learn the piano, and I've run into the problem that I can't change from chord to chord fast enough, especially when completely changing the hand arrangement. I was wondering if anyone had a technique to changing chords more smoothly?
A. In addition to using the pedal, as Wayne suggests, it'll help to know all inversions of your chords. There will always be an inversion of the next chord nearby to help with a smooth transition. For example: If you're playing C (C-E-G) and want to go to F (F-A-C), playing that F chord in second inversion puts it closer to the C chord (C-F-A). So now, the C stays the same, the E goes up one to F, the G goes up one to A. That's a simple example, but shows how knowing inversions will help with smooth chord changes.
How do I compose a symphony from a tune?
Q. I've been playing a tune on the piano, and it's only grown slowly. How can I make this tune large enough into a symphony? I'm relying on the basic tune as the underlying theme and want to expand it into many variations without sounding overused, underdeveloped or static/boring.
A. You will need more than one tune for a symphony. You need secondary tunes, tunes for transition passages, etc...
If you want to use your tune for variations, you could:
1)Change the harmonies, and retain the melody.
2)Change the tune, and keep the original chords.
3)Vary the melody (add notes, ornamentations, change some notes, remove some notes and keep the barest essential notes, change its register, etc.)
4)Change the meter and adjust the tune to the new meter
5)Change the rhythm (make some notes shorter or longer)
6)Play the tune and another melody at the same time
7)Break down the tune and play around with the bits of the tune
8)Invert the tune
9)Combination of any of the above
How long will it take me to complete grade one guitar if I already play two inssturments very well?
Q. I have played flute for four years and piano for eight. I want to know how fast I could learn to play guitar.
A. Your biggest challenge is going to be to build up your callouses. Star out by playing about five minutes a stretch, two to three times a day, and build up your endurance over the space of about three months. When you get to the point where you can play for at least a half an hour, you should be well on your way to working on changing chords smoothly.
Remember, it isn't learning the chords that is the biggest challenge, it's learning to move from chord to chord smoothly. I start all of my students with the following chord:
E minor seven with a suspension
Emin7sus
All you do is strum across the strings with your right hand while you leave your left hand off the guitar completely! E / B / G is the E minor - D is the seventh, and A is the suspension. If the A was above the D, it would be the eleventh, but since it's below the D (the seventh) it's a suspension - even though there is a third in the chord!
Next you learn the E minor with a Dominant 7th
Emin7
Put your second or third finger on the second fret of the fifth string (A)
6/0 5/2 4/0 3/0 2/0 1/0
Next you learn the E minor
Emin
Put your second and third finger on the second frets of the fourth and fifth strings
6/0 5/2 4/2 3/0 2/0 1/0
Next you learn the E major chord
E
Put your second and third finger on the second frets of the fourth and fifth strings, and lay your third finger right down, where it already is, on top of the first fret of the third string!
6/0 5/2 4/2 3/1 2/0 1/0
Next, you learn the A minor chord
Put your second and third fingers down on the second frets of the FOURTH AND THIRD STRINGS! then put your first finger right down where it is, over the first fret of the second string (You just moved all of your fingers over by one string?)
6/0 5/0 4/2 3/2 2/1 1/0
move around back and forth between the chords until you can make the transition smoothly. Then learn some variations:
E7 - 6/0 5/2 4/0 3/1 2/0 1/0
Amin7 - 6/0 5/0 4/2 3/0 2/1 1/0
A7 - 6/0 5/0 4/2 3/0 2/2 1/0
You have probably noticed that I haven't gone anywhere near the C major chord yet. I try not to show that chord to my students for at least a month, unless they beat it out of me (and some do!)
C - (Actually C/E) 6/0 5/3 4/2 3/0 2/1 1/0 (That's a C major chord with the third (E) in the Bass)
C - (Actually C/G) 6/3 5/3 4/2 3/0 2/1 1/0 (That's a C major chord with the fifth (G) in the bass - which sounds fuller but is harder to play) < You generally play it first finger - 2/1 second finger - 4/2 fourth finger - 5/3 third finger - 6/3 >
I play it 1 / 2/ 3 / 4 though because it makes it easier for me to slide around!
Anyway, that should get you started. Let me know if you need more. Give me a shout and I will be glad to send you anything you need.
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Title : How do I change chords on the piano more smoothly?
Description : Q. I've recently begun trying to learn the piano, and I've run into the problem that I can't change from chord to chord fast en...