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Piano Chords

Benedict Westenra

"After buying loads of books on piano chords nothing has come close to this excellent course … it has to be the best on Udemy" - Michael Fallon

"Even if you already know your scales and chords, this course brings you through the variations so that you can do more than just play a triad each and every time." - Richard

This course teaches you how to interpret basic chord symbols at the piano, and explains them:

  • at the keyboard
  • in a visual and intuitive way
  • using real pieces of music
Read more

"After buying loads of books on piano chords nothing has come close to this excellent course … it has to be the best on Udemy" - Michael Fallon

"Even if you already know your scales and chords, this course brings you through the variations so that you can do more than just play a triad each and every time." - Richard

This course teaches you how to interpret basic chord symbols at the piano, and explains them:

  • at the keyboard
  • in a visual and intuitive way
  • using real pieces of music

I'll teach you concepts using original techniques that I've tested on hundreds of students over a decade, including signed artists and other industry professionals. By the end you'll know many ways of playing any chord symbol that's likely to crop up in popular music. (I'm working on a follow-up course that teaches more advanced chords that you find in jazz.)

What this course is

This course shows you many ways of playing:

  • major triads (e.g. C, Eb, F#)
  • minor triads (e.g. Dm, Fm, G#m)
  • sus chords (e.g. Esus, Gsus, Bbsus)
  • 7th chords (e.g. F#7, Am7, Cmaj7), and
  • slash chords (e.g. Ab/Eb, Bm/E, Dmaj7/E)

so that you can:

  • read a "lead sheet" (a score with a melody and chord symbols but no LH)
  • accompany yourself singing using just chord symbols, and
  • understand how the chord symbols fit a score

I'll show you many ways of playing each chord so that you can not only work out what chord to play but also turn it into a complete accompaniment.

What this course isn't

This course doesn't teach you how to play the piano - it assumes you know how to play the piano already. And the pieces used are mostly extracts that are designed to illustrate certain types of chord, so the goal isn't to play complete pieces but to acquire skills that you can apply to other pieces.

Also, this isn't a music composition course: I don't talk very much about why certain chords sound good together. However, if you are interested in learning about chord progressions this is a good starting point.

In conclusion

So, if you've ever wondered what Dm7/G means then give this course a try. You can always get a refund if you decide it isn't for you.

Best of luck on your musical journey,

Benedict

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction
What you can expect from this course
Bonus, 13/01/16: all the scores in 4 PDF's

A chord is just more than one note playing at a time.

Read more
Root-5th-root chords

An intervals is the distance between 2 notes.

Intervals have names like 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th.

A 5th is either:

  • 2 white notes with 3 white notes in between, or
  • 2 black notes with 2 black notes in between,

except B-F# and Bb-F.

(NEW! 2021) How to do the interactive tests
(NEW! 2021) 5ths test
Example: "To Build a Home"
Exercise: harmonize "With or Without You"
Solution: "With or Without You" harmonized

A root-5th-root chord is a 5th with the root repeated at the top.

Example: "Rolling in the Deep"
Example: "The Heart Asks Pleasure First"
Exercise: harmonize "Fields of Gold"
Solution: "Fields of Gold" harmonized

An arpeggio is when you play the notes of a chord one-by-one.

Example: "Fields of Gold" with arpeggios
Exercise: harmonize "Always on My Mind"
Solution: "Always on My Mind" harmonized
Example: "Always on My Mind" with arpeggios
Major triads

2 notes are a semitone apart if there are no other notes between them.

(In North America, semitones are called "half-steps".)

(NEW! 2021) Semitones test

2 notes are a tone apart is they're 2 semitones apart, in other words if they have exactly one note between them, including white and black notes.

(NEW! 2021) Tones test

2 notes are a major 3rd apart if they're 2 tones apart.

(NEW! 2021) Major 3rds test
Exercise: harmonize "Amazing Grace" using major 3rds
Solution: "Amazing Grace" harmonised using major 3rds
  • C, F, and G are all WWW.
  • A, D, and E are all WBW.
  • Ab, Db, and Eb are all BWB.
  • B (WBB) is the opposite of Bb (BWW).
  • F# is the only major triad that's BBB.
(NEW! 2021) How to do the triads tests
(NEW! 2021) Major triads test
Exercise: harmonize "Kumbaya"
Solution: "Kumbaya" harmonized
Exercise: harmonise the verse of "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"
Solution: the verse of "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" harmonized"
Minor triads

2 notes are a minor 3rd apart if there are exactly 2 notes between them, including white and black notes.

(NEW! 2021) Minor 3rds test
Example: "Clair de lune"
  • Am, Dm, and Em are WWW.
  • Cm, Fm, and Gm are WBW.
  • C#m, F#m, and G#m are BWB.
  • Bm (WWB) is the opposite of Bbm (BBW).
  • Ebm is the only minor triad that's BBB.
(NEW! 2021) Minor triads test
Exercise: harmonize "The Tetris theme"
Solution: "The Tetris theme" harmonized

A broken chord is when you split a chord into groups of notes.

Example: "The Tetris theme" with broken chords
Practicing major and minor triads
Exercise: harmonize the chorus of "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"
Solution: the chorus of "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" harmonized
Example: "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" with arpeggios
Exercise: harmonize "Mad World"
Solution: "Mad World" harmonized
Example: "Mad World" with broken chords
Exercise: harmonize "La valse d'Amélie"
Solution: "La valse d'Amélie" harmonized
Example: "La valse d'Amélie" with broken chords
Practice: "La valse d'Amélie" in 6 keys
Exercise: harmonize "House of the Rising Sun"
Solution: "House of the Rising Sun" harmonized
Example: "House of the Rising Sun" with arpeggios
Exercise: harmonize "Memory"
Solution: "Memory" harmonized

A root-5th-10th chord is a triad with the 3rd moved up an octave (an octave and a 3rd is a 10th).

Example: "Memory" with arpeggios
Example: analyzing the chords to "Für Elise"
Major triads in inversion

4ths are inversions of 5ths. That means that if you take a 5th and move the bottom note up an octave you get a 4th. So a 4th is either:

  • 2 white notes with 2 white notes in between, or
  • 2 black notes with 1 black note in between,

apart from F-Bb and F#-B.

(NEW! 2021) 4ths test

A major triad in 1st inversion is a major triad in root position with the root moved up an octave. So in 1st inversion:

  • C, F, and G are WWW
  • A, D, and E are BWW
  • Ab, Db, and Eb are WBB
  • B (BBW) is the opposite of Bb (WWB)
  • F# is the only one that's BBB
(NEW! 2021) Major triads in 1st inversion test
Exercise: harmonize the accompaniment to "All Day and All of the Night"
Solution: the accompaniment to "All Day and All of the Night" harmonized

A major triad in 2nd inversion is a major triad in root position with the 5th moved down an octave. So in 2nd inversion:

  • C, F, and G are WWW
  • A, D, and E are WWB
  • Ab, Db, and Eb are BBW
  • B (WBW) is the opposite of Bb (WBW)
  • F# is the only one that's BBB
(NEW! 2021) Major triads in 2nd inversion test
Mixing major inversions
Example: "Kumbaya" harmonized using inversions
Exercise: harmonize the riff to "Forget You" using major triads in inversion
Solution: the riff to "Forget You" harmonized using major triads in inversion
Exercise: harmonize "Green Onions" using major triads in inversion
Solution: "Green Onions" harmonized using major triads in inversion
Minor triads in inversion

A minor triad in 1st inversion is a minor triad in root position with the root moved up an octave. So in 1st inversion:

  • Am, Dm, and Em are WWW
  • Cm, Fm, and Gm are BWW
  • C#m, F#m, and G#m are WBB
  • Bm (WBW) is the opposite of Bbm (BWB)
  • F#m is the only one that's BBB
(NEW! 2021) Minor triads in 1st inversion test
Example: "Lean On Me"

A minor triad in 2nd inversion is a minor triad in root position with the 5th moved down an octave. So in 2nd inversion:

  • Am, Dm, and Em are WWW
  • Cm, Fm, and Gm are WWB
  • C#m, F#m, and G#m are BBW
  • Bm (BWW) is the opposite of Bbm (WBB)
  • Ebm is the only one that's BBB
(NEW! 2021) Minor triads in 2nd inversion test
Exercise: complete the chords to "Creep"
Solution: the chords to "Creep"
Example: repeating the chords to "Creep"
Practicing major and minor triads in inversion
Exercise: harmonise the chords to Pachelbel's "Canon"
Solution: the chords to Pachelbel's "Canon"
Exercise: harmonize the riff to "Golden Brown"
Solution: the riff to "Golden Brown" harmonized
  1. Remove any duplicate notes from the top of the chord
  2. Move all the notes into the same octave
  3. Look at the intervals between adjacent notes: the top of the 4th is the root, or if the chord is made up of 3rds the bottom note is the root
Exercise: analyze the chords to "Comptine d'un autre été, l'après-midi"
Solution: the chords to "Comptine d'un autre été, l'après-midi" analyzed
I-V-vi-IV

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Piano Chords with these activities:
Review Basic Music Theory
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental music theory concepts like scales, intervals, and key signatures, which are essential for understanding chord construction and progressions.
Browse courses on Music Theory
Show steps
  • Review the definitions of scales, intervals, and key signatures.
  • Practice identifying intervals and scales on the piano.
  • Complete online quizzes to test your knowledge.
Read 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition'
Expand your understanding of music theory with a beginner-friendly guide that explains the underlying principles of harmony and chord construction.
View Music Theory Note by Note: Your Guide to How... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory'.
  • Read the sections on chords, scales, and key signatures.
  • Complete the exercises and quizzes provided in the book.
Read 'Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course'
Supplement your learning with a well-regarded piano course book that covers similar material and provides additional exercises and explanations.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course'.
  • Work through the sections on chords and chord progressions.
  • Practice the exercises provided in the book.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Chord Voicing Exercises
Practice different voicings of common chords to develop finger dexterity and a better understanding of how chords can be arranged on the piano.
Show steps
  • Choose a set of common chords (e.g., C, G, Am, F).
  • Find multiple voicings for each chord.
  • Practice transitioning smoothly between different voicings.
Create a Chord Cheat Sheet
Compile a cheat sheet of common piano chords and their inversions for quick reference while practicing or playing.
Show steps
  • Gather information on common piano chords and their inversions.
  • Organize the information into a clear and concise cheat sheet.
  • Print out the cheat sheet and keep it handy while practicing.
Explore YouTube Piano Chord Tutorials
Follow along with YouTube tutorials that demonstrate different ways to play piano chords and create interesting chord progressions.
Show steps
  • Search for piano chord tutorials on YouTube.
  • Select a few tutorials that cover topics you want to learn more about.
  • Follow along with the tutorials and practice the techniques demonstrated.
Compose a Simple Chord Progression
Compose a short piece of music using the chords learned in the course to apply your knowledge in a creative and practical way.
Show steps
  • Choose a key and select a few chords from that key.
  • Arrange the chords into a pleasing progression.
  • Add a simple melody on top of the chords.
  • Record yourself playing the progression.

Career center

Learners who complete Piano Chords will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Pianist
The role of a Pianist involves performing music on the piano, whether solo, as part of an ensemble, or as an accompanist. This Piano Chords course helps you interpret basic chord symbols at the piano, which is essential for any pianist. The course teaches you how to play major triads, minor triads, sus chords, seventh chords, and slash chords. If you are a pianist, you'll learn many ways of playing any chord symbol that's likely to crop up in popular music. The course explains concepts using original techniques, helping you to read a "lead sheet" and understand how chord symbols fit a score.
See salaries and explore the career path for Pianist
Keyboardist
A Keyboardist plays keyboard instruments, such as synthesizers, electronic organs, or digital pianos, in a variety of musical settings. This Piano Chords course helps you interpret basic chord symbols at the piano, which is essential for this career. The course teaches you how to play major triads, minor triads, sus chords, seventh chords, and slash chords. If you are a keyboardist, you'll learn many ways of playing any chord symbol that's likely to crop up in popular music. The course explains concepts using original techniques.
See salaries and explore the career path for Keyboardist
Nightclub Musician
A Nightclub Musician performs live music in nightclubs, providing entertainment for patrons. This Piano Chords course helps you interpret basic chord symbols at the piano, which is essential for any pianist. The course teaches you how to play major triads, minor triads, sus chords, seventh chords, and slash chords. If you are a nightclub musician, you'll learn many ways of playing any chord symbol that's likely to crop up in popular music. The course explains concepts using original techniques, helping you to read a "lead sheet" and understand how chord symbols fit a score.
See salaries and explore the career path for Nightclub Musician
Accompanist
An Accompanist provides musical support to singers or instrumentalists during performances or rehearsals. This Piano Chords course is directly relevant, as it teaches you how to interpret basic chord symbols at the piano. You'll learn how to play major triads, minor triads, sus chords, seventh chords, and slash chords. As an accompanist, this means you'll learn many ways of playing any chord symbol that's likely to crop up in popular music. The course explains concepts using original techniques, which makes it easier to accompany yourself, sing using just chord symbols, and understand how the chord symbols fit a score.
See salaries and explore the career path for Accompanist
Choir Director
A Choir Director leads and directs a choir, selecting music and guiding rehearsals to prepare for performances. The Piano Chords course helps understand how to interpret basic chord symbols at the piano, and explains them. The course teaches how to play major triads, minor triads, sus chords, seventh chords, and slash chords at the keyboard. Learning how chord symbols fit a score and how to accompany yourself singing using just chord symbols enables the choir director to arrange the musical experience for all those involved.
See salaries and explore the career path for Choir Director
Hymn Player
Hymn Players provide musical accompaniment during religious services, typically on piano or organ. The Piano Chords course helps understand how to interpret basic chord symbols at the piano, and explains them. The course teaches how to play major triads, minor triads, sus chords, seventh chords, and slash chords at the keyboard. Learning how chord symbols fit a score and how to accompany yourself singing using just chord symbols enables the hymn player to arrange the musical experience for all those involved.
See salaries and explore the career path for Hymn Player
Songwriter
Songwriters compose original songs, including both lyrics and music. This Piano Chords course helps you understand how to interpret basic chord symbols at the piano, and explains them. The course teaches you how to play major triads, minor triads, sus chords, seventh chords, and slash chords at the keyboard. By taking this course, you'll learn many ways of playing any chord symbol that's likely to crop up in popular music and can experiment with different chord progressions and voicings to enhance your compositions. Knowledge of chord voicings can add depth to your composing by enabling you to craft more beautiful and interesting songs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Songwriter
Music Teacher
As a Music Teacher, you instruct students on various aspects of music, including theory, technique, and performance. This Piano Chords course may be useful to understand how to interpret basic chord symbols at the piano, and explain them. The course teaches you how to play major triads, minor triads, sus chords, seventh chords, and slash chords at the keyboard. As a music teacher, you'll learn many ways of playing any chord symbol that's likely to crop up in popular music. The course explains concepts using original techniques that you can pass on to your students.
See salaries and explore the career path for Music Teacher
Arranger
An Arranger adapts existing musical compositions for different instruments or ensembles. This Piano Chords course helps you interpret basic chord symbols at the piano, and explains them. The course teaches you how to play major triads, minor triads, sus chords, seventh chords, and slash chords at the keyboard. By taking this course, you'll learn many ways of playing any chord symbol that's likely to crop up in popular music. Understanding chords is essential for arranging music and adapting musical forms.
See salaries and explore the career path for Arranger
Musical Director
A Musical Director is responsible for the musical aspects of a performance or production, such as a play or musical. This Piano Chords course may be useful to understand how to interpret basic chord symbols at the piano, and explains them. The course teaches you how to play major triads, minor triads, sus chords, seventh chords, and slash chords at the keyboard. By taking this course, you'll learn many ways of playing any chord symbol that's likely to crop up in popular music. Understanding chords is essential for arranging music and leading a musical ensemble.
See salaries and explore the career path for Musical Director
Studio Musician
As a Studio Musician, you perform in recording studios, playing various instruments to create music for albums, soundtracks, or other projects. This Piano Chords course may be useful for your career since it teaches you how to interpret basic chord symbols at the piano, and explains them. The course teaches you how to play major triads, minor triads, sus chords, seventh chords, and slash chords at the keyboard. By taking this course, you'll learn many ways of playing any chord symbol that's likely to crop up in popular music. It prepares you for work as a studio musician.
See salaries and explore the career path for Studio Musician
Session Musician
As a Session Musician, you record music in studio settings for various projects, often on demand. This Piano Chords course may be useful to understand how to interpret basic chord symbols at the piano, and explains them. The course teaches you how to play major triads, minor triads, sus chords, seventh chords, and slash chords at the keyboard. By taking this course, you'll learn many ways of playing any chord symbol that's likely to crop up in popular music. Session Musicians are often required to navigate chord changes quickly and accurately.
See salaries and explore the career path for Session Musician
Film Score Composer
A Film Score Composer creates original music for films, enhancing the emotional impact of scenes. This Piano Chords course is directly relevant, as it teaches you how to interpret basic chord symbols at the piano. You'll learn how to play major triads, minor triads, sus chords, seventh chords, and slash chords. As a film score composer, this means you'll learn many ways of playing any chord symbol that's likely to crop up in popular music, especially how chord symbols fit a score. Understanding chords is essential for composing music.
See salaries and explore the career path for Film Score Composer
Music Publisher
A Music Publisher manages the copyright and promotion of musical works. This Piano Chords course may be useful to understand how to interpret basic chord symbols at the piano, and explains them. The course teaches you how to play major triads, minor triads, sus chords, seventh chords, and slash chords at the keyboard. Learning to read a lead sheet may be useful for evaluating music before representing the composer's works. This allows for a deeper understanding of the compositions that are being managed and promoted.
See salaries and explore the career path for Music Publisher
Music Journalist
As a music journalist, you write articles and reviews about music-related topics, ranging from album releases to live performances to in-depth artist profiles. This Piano Chords course may be useful to understand how to interpret basic chord symbols at the piano, and explains them. The course teaches you how to play major triads, minor triads, sus chords, seventh chords, and slash chords at the keyboard. Understanding chord progressions and harmonic structures can add depth to your music analysis and provide a more informed perspective when writing about music.
See salaries and explore the career path for Music Journalist

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Piano Chords.
Cover image
Think and Grow Rich - English : For Personal Growth...
Save
Comprehensive guide to learning piano, covering basic techniques, music theory, and chord playing. It provides a solid foundation for understanding the concepts taught in the course. It is particularly helpful for students who are new to piano or want to refresh their skills. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.
Melania
Hardcover
$$
From Here to the Great Unknown: Oprah's Book Club:...
Hardcover
$$
War
Hardcover
$$
The Message
Hardcover
$$
Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between...
Hardcover
$$
Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir
Hardcover
$$
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of...
Hardcover
$$
Onyx Storm (Deluxe Limited Edition) (The Empyrean,...
Hardcover
$$
Spooky Cutie: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens...
Paperback
$
The Leaf Thief: (The Perfect Fall Book for Children...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Music Theory Note by Note
Save
Provides a clear and accessible introduction to music theory, covering topics such as scales, chords, and harmony. It is particularly helpful for students who want to deepen their understanding of the theoretical concepts behind chord progressions. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference. It is helpful in providing background or prerequisite knowledge.
Music Theory Note by Note: Your Guide to How Music...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Effort
6.5 total hours
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Instructor
Benedict Westenra
Language
English
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