Post by debert on Jul 24, 2012 10:58:02 GMT -5
Here is an easy way to form some simple chords of a song using your left hand on a piano or keyboard.
Most chords are either major or minor. Major chords are simply written as the letter of the desired chord, such as C or E or A, etc. The symbols for those chords generally appear above the grand staff.
Minor chords are written the same way with the addition of a small "m" next to the letter, such as Cm or Em or Gm, etc.
To understand the formula, one first has to understand what is meant by HALF steps and WHOLE steps. Simply put, a half step is one note away from your starting point. A WHOLE step is two notes away.
With that understanding, the major chord formula is 1-4-3
What does that mean?
"1" is the starting note, such as the note C for a C major chord. Then you count up from zero to "4", which should land you on the note "E", (don't forget to count the black notes also) which is the second note of the C major chord.
Then count up from that "4" note to 3, and that should take you to "G" which is the last note of the C major chord. There are only three notes in this chord. C-E-G
All major chords can be formed this way no matter what note you start on. The number "1" is always the letter name of the chord you want to play, such as C, E, A etc.
Fingerwise, it is best to use your left hand for chords as you will likely be playing the melody or a run, a lick or some sort of accompanimet with the right hand. Put your "pinky" finger on number "1". Put your index finger on number "4" and put your thumb on the "3".
For the chord of C, your pinky finger is on C, your index finger is on E, and your thumb is on G.
The minor chord formula is 1-3-4
This is the same idea as the major chord, only your index finger will not be on E for the C minor chord, it will be on Eb. Eb is the number "3". Your finger position, just like the major chord, should be the same and they should be on the "C", the "Eb" and the "G".
All minor chords can be played with this formula regardless of the starting note.
You will notice that the only difference between the major and minor formula is the MIDDLE note. C Major is C-E-G whereas C Minor is C-Eb-G. It's the same with every major or minor chord of the same letter. Try them, you'll like it!
When dealing with these formulas, which will be expanded to include many different kinds of chords, remember that "1" is a half step, and "2" is a whole step.
So when you have a "4" that's 2 whole steps because 2+2 is 4. When you have a "3", that would be one and a half steps because 2 + 1=3
For more information see this post here: www.ktsmusic.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=music&thread=10&page=1#26
Thanks,
Dan
Most chords are either major or minor. Major chords are simply written as the letter of the desired chord, such as C or E or A, etc. The symbols for those chords generally appear above the grand staff.
Minor chords are written the same way with the addition of a small "m" next to the letter, such as Cm or Em or Gm, etc.
To understand the formula, one first has to understand what is meant by HALF steps and WHOLE steps. Simply put, a half step is one note away from your starting point. A WHOLE step is two notes away.
With that understanding, the major chord formula is 1-4-3
What does that mean?
"1" is the starting note, such as the note C for a C major chord. Then you count up from zero to "4", which should land you on the note "E", (don't forget to count the black notes also) which is the second note of the C major chord.
Then count up from that "4" note to 3, and that should take you to "G" which is the last note of the C major chord. There are only three notes in this chord. C-E-G
All major chords can be formed this way no matter what note you start on. The number "1" is always the letter name of the chord you want to play, such as C, E, A etc.
Fingerwise, it is best to use your left hand for chords as you will likely be playing the melody or a run, a lick or some sort of accompanimet with the right hand. Put your "pinky" finger on number "1". Put your index finger on number "4" and put your thumb on the "3".
For the chord of C, your pinky finger is on C, your index finger is on E, and your thumb is on G.
The minor chord formula is 1-3-4
This is the same idea as the major chord, only your index finger will not be on E for the C minor chord, it will be on Eb. Eb is the number "3". Your finger position, just like the major chord, should be the same and they should be on the "C", the "Eb" and the "G".
All minor chords can be played with this formula regardless of the starting note.
You will notice that the only difference between the major and minor formula is the MIDDLE note. C Major is C-E-G whereas C Minor is C-Eb-G. It's the same with every major or minor chord of the same letter. Try them, you'll like it!
When dealing with these formulas, which will be expanded to include many different kinds of chords, remember that "1" is a half step, and "2" is a whole step.
So when you have a "4" that's 2 whole steps because 2+2 is 4. When you have a "3", that would be one and a half steps because 2 + 1=3
For more information see this post here: www.ktsmusic.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=music&thread=10&page=1#26
Thanks,
Dan