Play By Ear #4: Play Song By Ear with 3 Chords Using Any Key from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand melody and harmony are inseparable
Gain the insight that lh & rh are playing tones of same chord
Identify the places where chord changes between i, iv, v7
Learn to listen to cluster of sounds
Pay attention to how chord changes in songs
Know that songs need to be played in vocal range for people to sing
Know which key to play for different songs by ear to suit singers
Learn to venture out of key of c to harmonize songs
Identify the i iv v7 of key of f
Identify the i iv v7 of key of g

Identify the i iv v7 of key of d
Identify the i iv v7 of key of bb
Identify the i iv v7 of key of db
Play songs in key of c, f, g, d, bb, db with 3 chord harmony trick
Practice playing a variety of songs in different keys
Never to get stuck in key of c alone
Become thoroughly comfortable with keys: c, f, g, bb, d and even db
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Understand melody and harmony are inseparable
Gain the insight that lh & rh are playing tones of same chord
Identify the places where chord changes between i, iv, v7
Learn to listen to cluster of sounds
Pay attention to how chord changes in songs
Know that songs need to be played in vocal range for people to sing
Know which key to play for different songs by ear to suit singers
Learn to venture out of key of c to harmonize songs
Identify the i iv v7 of key of f
Identify the i iv v7 of key of g
Identify the i iv v7 of key of d
Identify the i iv v7 of key of bb
Identify the i iv v7 of key of db
Play songs in key of c, f, g, d, bb, db with 3 chord harmony trick
Practice playing a variety of songs in different keys
Never to get stuck in key of c alone
Become thoroughly comfortable with keys: c, f, g, bb, d and even db
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Introduction

Overview of the Course

Understand that Melody and Harmony are Inseparable

Play By Ear

Songs are made up of Melody & Chord Harmony

You need both of these elements in a song.

Play By Ear:

LH plays Cluster of Chord Tones

RH also plays Melodic Harmonizing Chord tones

**INSIGHT** Both hands are playing the SAME Chords:

Play By EAR:

Chords - Listening to tones changing within the clusters of sounds

Melody - Listening to rise and falling of pitches

Play By Ear - Home on the Range

You need to be able to hum the tune in your head before you can play by EAR

Play by Ear - Home On the Range

The 7 tone music helps you check your answer!

The 7 tone music helps you play the song in rhythm!

Play By Ear - Home on the Range

Learn to listen to places where the melody requires chord change:

I to IV

I to V7

V7 to I

IV to I

Play By Ear - Home on the Range

Use 3 Harmonizing Chords: I IV V7

The Roman Numerals work for all 12 Keys.

Play By Ear - Home on the Range Chord Progression

Always Train yourself to Look for Patterns in Chord Progression

Play by Ear - Home on the Range

Learn to venture out to play this song outside the C Key.

The next Key to learn is F Key.

Play By Ear - 3 Chord Trick for C Key:

C Key:

Chord I - C

Chord IV - F

Chord V7 - G7

Play by Ear - Home on the Range:

Left Hand play block chords:

Play all 3 tones together!

C Chord: CEG

F Chord: FAC

G7 Chord: GBDF

Play by Ear - Home on the Range - F Key

Chord I - F Chord

Chord IV - Bb Chord

Chord V7 - C7 Chord

Play By Ear - O Suzanna

Familiarize yourself with this tune until you can hum it in your head.

O Suzanna - Play by Ear - 7 Tone music

Use the 7 tone music to check to see if you got the melody tones correct.

Always feel the rhythm of the song so that you can write out the music in the right timing.

Playing by ear has to do with timing.

Play By Ear - O Suzanna in 3 Harmonizing Chords

Learn to listen to the 3 Chord Changes.

Listen to the tension and release in a song.

V7 is a tension chord

I is a home chord

IV is a travelling chord

Review Play by Ear Level 3 where I go into details with the sounds of these chords.

Play By Ear - O Suzanna - 3 Harmonizing Chords

Listen to chord changes as the song moves from one chord to another.

O Suzanna - Play By Ear - Listen to Chord Progression Pattern

As you train your ears to listen to chord progressions of songs, soon you will be able to identify songs by its chord progression rather than by the melodic lines.

O Suzanna - Play 3 Chord Harmony to the song.

When you play by ear, always begin with Key of C

Key of C is the easiest Key to play by ear because there are no black keys.

Always start with C Key to gain confidence to any songs!

Play by Ear - O Suzanna - in G Key

G Key is a good key to learn.

Chord 1 - G Chord

Chord IV - C Chord

Chord V7 - D7 Chord

Play By Ear - Away In A Manger Traditional Melody

C Key:

C Chord - C E G

F Chord - F A C

G7 Chord - G B D F

Away In A Manger - Play By Ear

Follow the video and play along.

Listen to the chord changes!

Play Away In A Manger in D Key

1. First play the RH melody tones - Follow the demo and play along

2. Next Lecture - play with Both hands

D Key: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

D Key Notes: D E F# G A B C# D

Have a mental picture that whenever you hit the 3 and 7 - they are black keys!

Play By Ear - Away in a Manger - D Key

Follow the demo and play along!

LH plays Block Chords:

Chord 1: D Chord - D F# A

Chord IV: G Chord - G B D

Chord V7: A Chord - A C# E G

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on playing by ear using a 3-chord trick, which is a foundational technique for quickly learning to accompany melodies and popular songs

Emphasizes understanding the relationship between melody and harmony, which is crucial for developing a comprehensive musical ear and improvisational skills

Covers playing in multiple keys (C, F, G, D, Bb, Db), which is essential for adapting to different vocal ranges and expanding one's musical versatility

Requires learners to be able to hum a tune in their head before playing, which may be challenging for some beginners who have not yet developed relative pitch

Uses the '7 tone music' concept, which may not be a familiar term or concept to all learners and may require additional explanation or resources

Teaches learners to identify I-IV-V7 chord progressions, which is a fundamental skill for understanding music theory and playing various genres of music

Reviews summary

Play by ear with 3 chords in any key

According to learners, this course provides a highly effective and accessible method for learning to play songs by ear using the fundamental I-IV-V7 chords. Students particularly appreciate how the course demystifies the relationship between melody and chord harmony, enabling them to harmonize simple tunes quickly. The structured approach, moving beyond just the Key of C to tackle songs in multiple keys (C, F, G, D, Bb, Db), is frequently praised for helping learners expand their skills. Many reviewers highlight that the course helps them gain significant confidence in their ability to figure out and play songs on their own, making it excellent for beginners. While the focus on only three chords and simpler songs might be too basic for advanced musicians, the method is widely regarded as practical and easy to follow for its intended audience.

Content may be too basic for advanced players.

"If you're already comfortable with chords and keys, some parts might feel repetitive."

"The focus is very much on foundational concepts, which is great for new learners but might not challenge experienced musicians."

"Excellent for those just starting out with playing by ear and chords."

"Someone with more experience might want a course that dives deeper than the basic I-IV-V7 chords."

Helps beginners gain confidence in playing by ear.

"As a beginner, I felt really encouraged and was able to play along with the songs quickly."

"I never thought I could play by ear, but this course gave me the tools and confidence to try."

"The lessons are broken down perfectly, making it easy to follow and build skills step-by-step."

"This course gave me the confidence boost I needed to start playing songs without sheet music."

Extends skills beyond C major to other keys.

"Learning to apply the 3-chord trick in keys like F, G, D, and Bb was incredibly helpful."

"This course successfully helped me break free from only playing in the key of C."

"Moving through different keys with actual songs made the theory click and feel very practical."

"I feel much more comfortable tackling songs in various keys now."

Lessons are easy to follow for beginners.

"The instruction is very clear and easy to understand, even for someone new to music theory."

"I found the demonstrations easy to follow along with on my keyboard."

"The way the concepts are explained makes complex ideas feel simple and manageable."

Learn to harmonize songs using I-IV-V7 chords.

"The approach using I-IV-V7 chords is brilliant and makes playing by ear feel achievable."

"I finally understand how simple chords can harmonize a melody so effectively. This trick is a game-changer."

"Using just three chords makes it easy to get started playing familiar songs right away."

"This simple framework for harmonizing melodies was exactly what I needed."

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 Play By Ear #4: Play Song By Ear with 3 Chords Using Any Key with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory

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Strengthen your understanding of fundamental music theory concepts. This will provide a solid foundation for grasping the chord progressions and key changes taught in the course.

Browse courses on Chord Progressions

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Review the circle of fifths and key signatures.
Practice identifying major and minor chords.
Study basic chord progressions like I-IV-V.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition

Show steps

Gain a deeper understanding of music theory principles. This book offers a simplified explanation of music theory concepts, making it easier to grasp the underlying principles of playing by ear.

View Music Theory Note by Note: Your Guide to How... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters on chords and key signatures.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.

Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course

Show steps

Supplement your learning with a structured piano course. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to piano playing and music theory, reinforcing the concepts taught in the course.

View Melania on Amazon

Show steps

Work through the first few lessons of the book.
Focus on exercises that reinforce chord playing and melody reading.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Chord Identification Drills

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Improve your ability to quickly identify I, IV, and V7 chords by ear. This will make it easier to follow the chord changes in the songs you're learning.

Show steps

Listen to recordings of simple chord progressions.
Try to identify the chords by ear.
Check your answers and repeat.

Practice with a Partner

Show steps

Enhance your learning by practicing with a partner. This allows you to receive feedback, share tips, and learn from each other's experiences.

Show steps

Find a partner who is also taking the course or learning to play by ear.
Take turns playing songs and identifying chords.
Provide each other with constructive feedback.

Create a 3-Chord Songbook

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of 3-chord songs by creating your own songbook. This will help you internalize the chord progressions and apply them creatively.

Show steps

Find 5-10 simple songs that use only I, IV, and V7 chords.
Write out the chords and lyrics for each song.
Practice playing the songs in different keys.

Transcribe a Simple Song by Ear

Show steps

Develop your ear training skills by transcribing a simple song. This will help you internalize the relationship between melody and harmony and improve your ability to play by ear.

Show steps

Choose a simple song with a clear melody and basic chord progression.
Listen to the song repeatedly and try to identify the melody notes.
Determine the chords being used.
Write out the melody and chords.

Career center

Learners who complete Play By Ear #4: Play Song By Ear with 3 Chords Using Any Key will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Pianist

A career as a Pianist could be a great fit. Pianists are musicians who entertain audiences in live performances or recordings. This course helps you learn to play songs in a variety of keys, and to identify chord changes in songs. The course also helps you harmonize songs by ear in different keys. As a pianist, these skills may be helpful to you when you need to quickly transpose songs into various keys to suit singers. This course can teach you the "3 Chord Trick" to identify the I IV V7 of various keys, and help you to become comfortable with Keys like C, F, G, Bb, D and even Db.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pianist

Accompanist

The role of an Accompanist may be interesting to you. Accompanists play music to support other musicians or performers, often singers or instrumentalists. This course helps you learn to play songs in a variety of keys. The course also emphasizes understanding the I IV V7 chords of C, F, G, D, Bb, and Db. As an accompanist, you often need to play in keys comfortable for singers. This course shows you how to venture out of the Key of C to harmonize songs. This would be quite helpful for any Accompanist needing to sight read and transpose music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Accompanist

Music Teacher

Consider a career as a Music Teacher. Music teachers educate students in music theory, performance, and appreciation. This course may be particularly helpful in teaching students how to play by ear and understand chord progressions. The course also emphasizes understanding that melody and harmony are inseparable. For any aspiring Music Teacher, the course covers the I IV V7 chords for the keys C, F, G, D, Bb and Db. The course can also prepare you to show students how to play songs in a vocal range for people to sing, and to help them understand keys for different songs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Teacher

Arranger

Becoming an Arranger could be a good fit. Arrangers adapt existing musical compositions for different instruments or voices. This course helps you harmonize songs by ear in a variety of keys and provides practice in playing songs in different keys. As an arranger it may be important to understand the I IV V7 chords of multiple keys. This course covers the keys of C, F, G, D, Bb and Db. In order to be an effective Arranger, knowing how to make quick decisions about keys is very helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arranger

Choir Director

Consider a role as a Choir Director. Choir directors lead and manage choral groups, selecting music and guiding rehearsals. This course teaches you that songs need to be played in a vocal range for people to sing. The course also helps you learn which key to play for different songs by ear to suit singers. As a choir director, the ability to select keys appropriate for different vocal ranges is very important. The course covers identifying the IV V7 of keys such as F, G, D, Bb, and Db.

See salaries and explore the career path for Choir Director

Worship Leader

A career as a Worship Leader may be compelling. Worship leaders guide music during religious services. This course helps you learn which key to play for different songs by ear to suit singers. The course also provides practice in playing a variety of songs in different keys. In a contemporary worship setting, you may have to change keys on the fly depending on the vocalists available. This course can help you identify the I IV V7 of keys such as F, G, D, Bb, and Db.

See salaries and explore the career path for Worship Leader

Musical Director

The role of Musical Director may be a great fit for you. Musical directors oversee the musical aspects of a performance or production. This course may be useful as it can help you learn which key to play for different songs by ear to suit singers, and to identify the I IV V7 of keys such as F, G, D, Bb, and Db. Also, this course emphasizes venturing out of the Key of C to harmonize songs. As a musical director, your role may require you to guide your team through keys in various keys.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musical Director

Music Therapist

Consider a career as a Music Therapist. Music therapists use music to address patients' physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs (often requiring a master's degree). This course may be useful as it can help you learn which key to play for different songs by ear to suit singers, and to identify the I IV V7 of keys such as F, G, D, Bb, and Db. This course emphasizes venturing out of the Key of C to harmonize songs. Music may have a therapeutic benefit for people.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist

Songwriter

Becoming a songwriter may be a good option for you. Songwriters compose original music and lyrics. This course may be useful as it helps you understand that melody and harmony are inseparable. The course also can help you learn to listen to clusters of sounds. As a songwriter, understanding harmony and chord changes may lead you to create works that are aesthetically pleasing, and that resonate more with listeners. The course also provides practice in playing a variety of songs in different keys.

See salaries and explore the career path for Songwriter

Sound Designer

Consider taking on the role of Sound Designer. Sound designers create the sound effects and audio landscapes for films, video games, or theater productions. This course may be helpful as it provides an understanding that melody and harmony are inseparable. The course also can help you learn to listen to clusters of sounds. Because the course can help you pay attention to how chord changes in songs, you might be able to appreciate music more deeply and integrate that into your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Designer

Audio Engineer

You may find the career of Audio Engineer to be of substantial interest. Audio engineers record, mix, and master audio for various media, including music, film, and video games. This course may be useful as it helps you understand that melody and harmony are inseparable. The course also can help you learn to listen to clusters of sounds. The course also emphasizes paying attention to how chord changes in songs. This might help you to become a better mixing engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Engineer

Disc Jockey

You might be interested in a career as a Disc Jockey. Disc jockeys select and play music for an audience, whether at events, clubs, or on the radio. This course may be useful as it helps you understand that melody and harmony are inseparable. The course also can help you learn to listen to clusters of sounds. Because the course can help you pay attention to how chord changes in songs, you might be able to better match songs together.

See salaries and explore the career path for Disc Jockey

Podcaster

The career as a podcaster may be compelling. Podcasters create and produce audio content for online distribution. If you focus on music, you may find this course particularly helpful. This course may be useful as it helps you understand that melody and harmony are inseparable. The course also can help you learn to listen to clusters of sounds. Because the course can help you pay attention to how chord changes in songs, you might be able to pick out the components of a song more quickly.

See salaries and explore the career path for Podcaster

Game Developer

Consider engaging in a career as a Game Developer. Game developers design, program, and create video games. This course may be useful, especially if you will be working on the music or sound design. This course may be useful as it helps you understand that melody and harmony are inseparable. The course also can help you learn to listen to clusters of sounds. Because the course can help you pay attention to how chord changes in songs, you may be better at writing code that plays music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Software Engineer

You may be interested in becoming a Software Engineer. Software engineers design, develop, and test software applications. This course may be useful, especially if you are interested in creating music software. The course also can help you learn to listen to clusters of sounds. Also, because the course can help you pay attention to how chord changes in songs, you may be able to develop software that is more robust for musicians. Also, it may help build your patience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

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 Play By Ear #4: Play Song By Ear with 3 Chords Using Any Key.

Music Theory Note by Note

Save

Provides a very accessible introduction to music theory. It covers topics such as scales, chords, and key signatures in a clear and concise manner. It is particularly useful for students who need a refresher on basic music theory concepts. This book is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference.

Music Theory Note by Note: Your Guide to How Music...

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Play By Ear #4

Play Song By Ear with 3 Chords Using Any Key

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Play by ear with 3 chords in any key

Activities

Career center

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