Podcast: Learn to Play Diminished 7th Chords – Doorways To Everywhere
Learn to play Diminished 7th Chords – Doorways To Everywhere [display_podcast]
Continue reading →Tag Archives: Chords
What different kinds of chords are there?
What different kinds of chords are there? There are a number of different chords, some having complicated names. As a starting point, think of a chord in it’s simplest form — a major chord. A major chord is built on … Continue reading →
Piano Instruction: Make Sure They Include Chords & Music Theory!
  Proper piano instruction is an element extremely vital to learning the instrument well. Though it’s very possible to be a self-taught piano player, piano lessons can really increase the speed and efficiency with which one learns the instrument. … Continue reading →
The Nomenclature Of Music: What Is A Chord? An Interval? A Unison? An Inverted Chord? An Extended Chord? A Slash Chord? A Sus Chord? (Watch this short video!)
One note played alone is termed a “unison.” Two notes played simultaneously (or adjacent to one another) are termed an “interval.” Intervals are named by the distance between them, so there can be intervals of 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, 5th, etc. Chords are three or more notes (or pitch classes; strictly speaking, notes are the written form of pitches) played together.
Continue reading →Musical Consonance and Dissonance
In a sense, all music can be viewed as a contest between dissonance and consonance. If a piece of music was all consonance, it would be boring. If it were all dissonance, it wouldn’t be listenable at all. So every piece of music is crafted in a unique way to move back and forth between those two extremes to create both interest and pleasure.
Continue reading →10 Piano Styles You Can Learn To Play
When studying the piano, a student encounters a myriad piano styles. To master the instrument, at least several of these styles must be learned, and all if at all possible. Knowledge of various playing styles enables a pianist to enjoy and play in any genre and to cross-polinate styles to create a fusion he or she can call their own.
Continue reading →What tools do you have in your musical toolbox?
Building a piano arrangement of a song is very much like building a house. You have to have a foundation (music theory), the materials of the song (the melody, chords & rhythm), and you have to have a toolbox of techniques with which to “build the musical house”.
Continue reading →7 Ways To Dress Up “Naked Music” On The Piano
What in the world is “naked music?” You know it when you hear it, but the words that describe it sound strange, don’t they? We’ve all heard of popular music and rock music and gospel music and jazz music, but … Continue reading →
The Secret of Melting Away Your Rhythm Problems
Most people who play an instrument of any kind have trouble with rhythm. It’s the number one problem people mention when they talk about learning music. But I know a secret: It’s NOT their fault! I know, because I had … Continue reading →
How to Read Chords in a Fake Book
For those who have been playing piano for several years, learning to play from a fake book can be a useful skill. In order to play from one, you need to have an understanding of chord theory. You should also … Continue reading →