Here's a great and very effective video that I found for learning to quickly play Major chords on the Piano! This is great for beginners to both visualize and hear how different tones make up a chord on the piano. Remember, he is counting up the scale as he moves up the keys on the piano (C, D, E, F and so forth).
Once you memorize the locations of notes, and formations of chords, you'll find that piano is very simple. After all, music notation was devised based on the piano! For diagrams of each of the chords he is using in this tutorial, check out our book selections!
Let me know your comments by clicking on the comments link or entering them in the form below!
Guitar and Piano Chords for iPhone and BlackBerry!
String Theory Chords is pleased to announce the latest addition to the String Theory Chords family - a mobile e-Book for the iPhone and BlackBerry!
Enjoy all of the features of the original "String Theory: Guitar and Piano Chords in Parallel" e-Book on your mobile device! With our mobile e-Book you can take your Guitar and Piano chords with you wherever you are, even easier.
Convenient for:
- Looking up chords while away from your home computer or reference materials
- Calling up chords while playing your instrument
- Cuing up chords for lessons and songs
Chord Inversions on the Guitar
When discussing chord translation between the Guitar and Piano, one key concept is the difference in inversions typically played on each instrument. An inversion is simply the arrangement of notes in a chord. To help smooth this out, and look at the Guitar from the perspective of a pianist, we'll discuss how chord inversions can be easily understood (and played) on the Guitar:
First, the Piano is a lot more "loose" when it comes to standardizing simple chord inversions. There is no real de facto way to arrange the notes when playing chords on the Piano. Using the C Major chord as a simple example, a pianist can play it in the form of (first note-second note - third note) as C-E-G, C-G-E, G-C-E, and so on. Depending on the song and arrangement, a pianist may use many differing inversions when playing chords.
Guitar tends to be a lot more straightforward with chords usually being played in "root position". First, let's understand what a chord tonic is -- a tonic is the first note of a musical scale. Using C Major as our example, we have C-D-E-F-G-A-B, so C is the tonic. Root position is when the tonic of the chord is the lowest (bass) note. Again, for C Major the tonic is C. If we play a C Major chord that does not begin with C, then it is not in root position and thus is called an inversion.
How to create an inversion:
There are three common inversions called first inversion, second inversion and third inversion. Notes following the tonic of the chord are labeled as 3rd, 5th and 7th in each of these inversions. For C Major (C-E-G), C is the tonic, E is the 3rd because it is the first note after the tonic and G is the 5th because it is the second note after the tonic.
As such, every Major triad chord (Major chord with only three tones) has a tonic, 3rd and 5th of a Major scale. Every Major Seventh chord is made up of a tonic, 3rd, 5th and 7th of a Major scale. See the table below for other common of chord structures beyond this.
Common Inversions Summary:
First inversion: The 3rd of the chord is the bass note.
Second inversion: The 5th of the chord is the bass note.
Third inversion: The 7th of the chord is the bass note.
Using these chord constructions, you can mimic an inversion played on the Piano, on the Guitar! Practice breaking down the chord, finding the tonic, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th and then piecing it back together to form whatever inversion is desirable. Depending on the inversion and the tones making up the chord, it may be difficult to position all of your fingers around the chord, but keep practicing and you may even discover some unique more piano-esque chordal arrangements to use in place of the same old root position chords.
First, the Piano is a lot more "loose" when it comes to standardizing simple chord inversions. There is no real de facto way to arrange the notes when playing chords on the Piano. Using the C Major chord as a simple example, a pianist can play it in the form of (first note-second note - third note) as C-E-G, C-G-E, G-C-E, and so on. Depending on the song and arrangement, a pianist may use many differing inversions when playing chords.
Guitar tends to be a lot more straightforward with chords usually being played in "root position". First, let's understand what a chord tonic is -- a tonic is the first note of a musical scale. Using C Major as our example, we have C-D-E-F-G-A-B, so C is the tonic. Root position is when the tonic of the chord is the lowest (bass) note. Again, for C Major the tonic is C. If we play a C Major chord that does not begin with C, then it is not in root position and thus is called an inversion.
How to create an inversion:
There are three common inversions called first inversion, second inversion and third inversion. Notes following the tonic of the chord are labeled as 3rd, 5th and 7th in each of these inversions. For C Major (C-E-G), C is the tonic, E is the 3rd because it is the first note after the tonic and G is the 5th because it is the second note after the tonic.
As such, every Major triad chord (Major chord with only three tones) has a tonic, 3rd and 5th of a Major scale. Every Major Seventh chord is made up of a tonic, 3rd, 5th and 7th of a Major scale. See the table below for other common of chord structures beyond this.
Common Inversions Summary:
First inversion: The 3rd of the chord is the bass note.
Second inversion: The 5th of the chord is the bass note.
Third inversion: The 7th of the chord is the bass note.
Using these chord constructions, you can mimic an inversion played on the Piano, on the Guitar! Practice breaking down the chord, finding the tonic, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th and then piecing it back together to form whatever inversion is desirable. Depending on the inversion and the tones making up the chord, it may be difficult to position all of your fingers around the chord, but keep practicing and you may even discover some unique more piano-esque chordal arrangements to use in place of the same old root position chords.
| Guide to Forming Chords | |
| Type of Chord | Chord Structure |
| Major Triad | 1st (root) + 3rd + 5th notes of a major scale |
| Minor Triad | 1st (root) + 3rd + 5th notes of a minor scale |
| Diminished Triads | 1st (root) + flatted 3rd (b3) + flatted 5th (b5) notes of a major scale |
| Augmented Triads | 1st (root) + 3rd + sharped 5th (#5th) notes of a major scale. |
| Major 7th Chord | 1st (root) + 3rd + 5th + 7th notes of a major scale |
| Minor 7th Chord | 1st (root) + flatted 3rd (b3) + 5th + flatted 7th (b7) notes (derived from a major scale) |
| Dominant 7th Chord | 1st (root) + 3rd + 5th + flatted 7th (b7) notes of a major scale |
| Sixth Chord | 1st (root) + 3rd + 5th + 6th notes of a major or minor scale. |
| Dominant 9th Chord | add a ninth to a dominant 7th chord (1st + 3rd + 5th + flatted 7th + 9th) |
| Major 9th Chord | add a ninth to a major 7th chord (1st + 3rd + 5th + 7th + 9th) |
| Minor 9th Chord | add a ninth to a minor 7th chord (1st + 3rd + 5th + flatted 7th + 9th) |
| sus2 Chord | 1st (root) + 2nd + 5th notes of either a major or minor scale |
| sus4 Chord | 1st (root) + 4th + 5th notes of either a major or minor scale |
Embed Videos in Member Forums
Here's a tip for embedding videos in your posts on our member forums. You can post videos from 60 popular video host sites and formats such as YouTube, Google Video, Myspace, Flash, DailyMotion, Revver, QuickTime and RealPlayer!
Follow these simple steps (for this example I will use a YouTube video):
1. Sign into our Membership site and go to the Member Forums.
2. Select to add a new post to one of the forum topics.
3. Select your desired video host or format from the "Video" dropdown list. The appropriate video tags for your selected format will be automatically input in the Message form.
4. Sign into YouTube and scroll down below the video to the right side of the page and copy the code in the "Embed" field.
5. Paste the code copied from Youtube between the video tags in the post Message field and click Submit.
6. Your video will now be visible in your post!
Here are some ideas for posting videos:
Follow these simple steps (for this example I will use a YouTube video):
1. Sign into our Membership site and go to the Member Forums.
2. Select to add a new post to one of the forum topics.
3. Select your desired video host or format from the "Video" dropdown list. The appropriate video tags for your selected format will be automatically input in the Message form.
4. Sign into YouTube and scroll down below the video to the right side of the page and copy the code in the "Embed" field.
5. Paste the code copied from Youtube between the video tags in the post Message field and click Submit.
6. Your video will now be visible in your post!
Here are some ideas for posting videos:
- Videos of yourself playing an instrument
- Videos of songs you wrote
- Video lessons of yourself playing chords
- Video lessons of others playing an instrument
- Video demonstrations of playing techniques found on the Internet
We're on Facebook!
US!To allow for even more interactivity between our users, we've opened up a Facebook fan page, check it out Here.
Even if you're not a regular around String Theory Chords, join up, invite your friends and connect. We're trying for as much interaction as possible to explore and expand musical communication, cross-platform!
Create a Member Blog!
We now have free member blogs available in our String Theory Chords member's portal! Join free, post your thoughts and comment on others' blogs.
After registering, click on the "My Blog" link at the top of the page to get started. Once in the My Blog section, you can select one of the following options in the upper right-hand side of the screen:
- Write Blog - Write blog text, choose tags and upload relevant files.
- My Blogs - View all of your previously posted blogs sorted by most recent.
- Member Blogs - View all other members' blogs sorted by most recent.
- Site Blog - View an index of this blog.
Record Music and Collaborate with Other Musicians
With Sonoma Riffworks T4, you can not only record your own songs, but also collaborate with other musicians from all around the world, for FREE!
The collaborative aspect holds a lot of potential. Up to four players can collaborate simultaneously and sync their recordings with drums. Songs can then be saved to RiffWorld.com for promotion or to pick back up at a later time!
If you're looking for an easy and quick way to record music, this is a great piece of software that I recommend. With seven effects and an InstantDrummer tool you can easily lay down your own tracks. If you're happy with your recordings, post them in the RiffWorld.com member community and see what others think!
Free Online Music Games!
Create and Print Blank Sheet Music Pages FREE!
A FREE Customizable Sheet Music Tool from BlankSheetMusic.Net.
Use this site to create:
Use this site to create:
- Piano Sheet Music
- Guitar Sheet Music
- Guitar Tab
- Bass Tab
- Percussion Music
- Various Staff Paper
- Sheet Music Templates
- Choir Manuscript Paper
Practice Piano with Your Hands Separate
One mistake that many new students of piano make is to practice new pieces on the piano using both hands at the same time. It is a great misconception that you can enhance your coordination by learning music and practicing using both hands at the same time. In fact, for beginners, practicing new songs with both hands can lead to much more frustration and fatigue of the hands. Entertaining the same amount of time separately on both hands can lead to much higher levels of developmental proficiency.
When learning new songs or difficult passages begin with the right hand playing a bar or two of the melody line and before it tires, quickly switch to the left hand playing the more rhythmic pattern of the same bar set. Do this switch once every 15 seconds or so. Soon you will find that you are not as bored by the repetition and that your hands are actually eager to continue practicing!
Why Are Guitarists So Bad at Guitar Hero/Rock Band?
Like many experienced guitarists that I've spoken to, I'm "digitally deadlocked" when it comes to playing guitar (and scoring well) on the Guitar Hero and Rock Band video games. I just can't seem get my fingers to work right and my rhythm is constantly off. It's as if I'm right back at the start again!
And in a way I am --
Whenever I hear the sound of the song quickly becoming derailed by my finger fumbling, I find myself asking, "why can't I do better than this, I have years of experience?" First of all, it should be noted that Guitar Hero and Rock Band (like any other video game) are constructed based on a simulated environment given by:
Visual feedback via a video screen and user interface + manual response via an input device (such as a controller mimicking a guitar in our case).
As we interact using our input device we are actually only providing data to a computer program which reads it in and passes it through programmed code to create an on-screen response. Not too surprising...This interaction is much like what we would expect to be occurring with a guitar fed into an amp through an effects pedal. The difference lies in the limitations, however great or small, specific to the video game program. Software applications are only programmed to respond to a "finite" or fixed amount of input triggers. Us humans are little more complex.
To explain a bit further, imagine a robot. Robots are run by a computer program which can sometimes be programmed to mimic behaviors and mannerisms of a human. Thousands upon thousands of subtle human qualities and tendencies can be reproduced by the robot. In a way, it would seem that we are interacting with a real human being, but it's the subtleties that humans can pick up on that tells us that it's not actually "alive".
Just the same, this very mechanical man-to-machine extertion produces motions that are very automated and more cause-and-effect rather than more fluid and improvisational which we are used to when playing an actual instrument. And that's not all, many musicians find that they are constrained by the choice of only five frets on the screen and that their brains don't seem to give orders to their hands to carry through properly -- Just like when a guitarist is picking up the new instrument for the first time!
But Why?
All of this is true because experienced guitarists have wired their brains to subconsciously feel out their musical surroundings "in real-time" and adjust tempo, pitch and even musical progressions accordingly. With a touch-and-go type of routine, musicians find it hard to re-train their brains to perceive music in a strictly methodical manner (and thus tell their hands to act accordingly). We feel the urge to pop out a solo, or break the chain of commands with a subtle tempo change.
So What Can All of This Teach Us?
The secret to understanding the language of music and mastering an instrument lies in the subconscious brain. We can study theory all we want, but it's the technique that you must ingrain into your mind that allows you to channel music through the mixture of sonic vibrations provided by the instrument out from your fingertips.
Proper technique is essential, especially very early on, and having a good and legitimate grasp on it is invaluable to your development on the instrument (as it becomes second nature). You will build upon the foundation that you create early on, and you'll find that breaking out of a bad habit is in opposition to everything you know up to that point. Make it a point to take the time to learn to do it the right way.
One final note, some have the argument of, "why would you want to play Guitar Hero or Rock Band if you're a serious musician?" The answer is simple -- they're actually pretty fun to play and (as obviously discussed above) a challenge for anyone! I don't believe that they're really meant to be a guide or lesson on playing the actual instrument. If nothing else, they can help with finger dexterity and rhythm!
So what do you think -- Can musicians really learn anything from Guitar Hero/Rock Band?
Best Guitar Tab Sites
Where can I find Guitar tabs?
911Tabs.com - Over 4 million guitar tabs with links to every major guitar tab site on the net!
BL Guitar Tabs - Free guitar tabs added daily.
CountryTabs.com - Tabs to almost any country song imaginable.
e-Tabs.org - Tabs with links to music downloads for each song!
GuitareTab.com - One of the largest and most popular, allows for ratings of each tab.
GuitarTabs.cc - One of the easiest guitar tab sites to peruse, lots of tabs!
GuitarTabs.com - Nice search engine for guitar tabs on the net.
MetalTabs.com - Good assortment of metal tabs all in one place.
MXtabs.net - Has lots of guitar, bass and drums tabs together.
Tabcrawler - Tabs, lyrics, articles and more!
Tabs-Database.com - Massive collection of guitar tabs, bass tabs and lyrics!
Ultimate-Guitar.com - The behemoth, anything and everything guitar tabs!
How to Read Piano Tabs
How to Read Piano Tabs
I ran across this nicely composed article on eHow which explains the principles of piano tabs and how they are interpreted. If you're new to piano, read through and practice the steps and you'll no doubt be amazed by the simplicity. Of particular interest is the idea that a capital letter in piano tab simply represents the sharpening (or moving up to the next black key) of a note, see below:
I ran across this nicely composed article on eHow which explains the principles of piano tabs and how they are interpreted. If you're new to piano, read through and practice the steps and you'll no doubt be amazed by the simplicity. Of particular interest is the idea that a capital letter in piano tab simply represents the sharpening (or moving up to the next black key) of a note, see below:
Musical Map
A great image from the folks at http://www.12bar.de/.
This diagram helps to put staff notation, guitar tabulature, notes and pitches, piano keyboard and various other instrument ranges in perspective!
Click on picture to view full size image
How to Play Guitar Sheet Music on the Piano
Here's a little lesson for any guitarist aspiring to play their music on the piano or the pianist who desires to take music specifically arranged for the guitar to the piano. The translation process is actually much easier than you'd expect (that is, if you have already memorized the specific chords on the piano -- see String Theory: Guitar and Piano Chords in Parallel).
Guitar lead sheets are typically arranged and written so that each chord change (or rhythm chord) is represented by the chord letter name above the musical staff while the leading notes (or soloing notes) are specifed in the staff notation. See the example sheet music snippet below (disregard the TAB notation, this is for guitarist use only):
How to Play a Line of Guitar Music on the Piano
- In the example above the pianist would play the G Major chord (G B D) at the same time they strike the upper G and D notes with the right hand.
- Next he or she would finish off that bar of the melody line until the D Major chord change.
- Playing the D Major chord (D F# A) again with the left hand along with the upper D and A using the right hand they can then finish out the melody line for this bar and so on...
- One can continue this throughout the song using the left hand to keep the beat and the right hand to play out the melody.
Keep practicing, if you are new to the piano, it will undoubtedly take some time. Before you know it though, you will begin to develop the coordination and the sense of awareness to recognize the tune of a song coming through!
The Differences (and Similarities) Between Sharps and Flats
Sharps and Flats are used to denote the movement up and down in pitch from a Major-sounding tone.
A Flat denotes one tone lower by dropping down a fret or by dropping down one black key on the piano.
Determining Sharps and Flats
Sharp
Flat
A Sharp occurs when you raise a tone in pitch by either one fret or move up from a white key by one black key on the piano.
A Flat denotes one tone lower by dropping down a fret or by dropping down one black key on the piano.
Determining Sharps and Flats
The rule for determining the name for the Sharpened or Flattened note is by looking at which note it is right next to in the musical alphabet. For example, a D lowered would be a Db and a C raised is a C#. Where it gets tricky, and where many new music students get hung up is understanding that both Db and C# refer to the same pitch. Here's how--
It's easiest to visualize the relations of the Sharps and Flats to Major notes by looking at the keys on a piano keyboard. A keyboard is a very linear instrument and stripes out the sequence of notes very intuitively. Notice how Sharps and Flats are always present on each black key, yet they go by two names - the Sharp form and the Flat form.
(*Note the exception to this rule for the B-C keys and E-F keys, as no black keys exist between them)
Learning Songs by Recognizing Patterns
When I was first learning to play the guitar, I'll admit that I was completely overwhelmed by all of the the criss-crossing lines and dots on the music sheets that I was attempting to read off of. With all of the scattered cues and musical indicators I thought that you'd have to be a genius to make sense or more notably, music out of it!
What I soon discovered (with a little musical assistance) is that all of the scattered signals actually aligned into distinctive patterns that you could map throughout the entire song. Not only are songs broken up into larger chunks of verse-chorus-verse-bridge-chorus patterns, but they are also typically arranged into repeating chord progressions.
Repeating Chord Progressions
These chord progressions are what you recognize as the underlying rhythm tones for the verses and choruses, etc, such as a C-E-F-G, C-E-F-G progression. The building blocks that make up songs and musical pieces are much simpler than they appear! This realization alone brought my musical insight, and aptitude, to a whole new level that I'd never experienced before.
Predicting Notes
Learning to play songs on the guitar or piano is based securely on understanding this principle -- recognizing the patterns. You can also take this one step deeper; If you are able to recognize the notes composing a basic chord shape, you can predict which notes are played in that key for the song!
For example, say that you are playing in the key of C Major; By knowing each of the notes in the C Major Chord or Scale, you can better assess what the probable notes are in the melody line before you even look at the music sheets.
Coming Full Circle
Suddenly you are now armed with a palette by which you can paint many interesting melodies or even play off of existing melodies by musical interpretation. What I mean to say is -- You don't have to have perfect pitch to hear a song and play it right back! You also don't have to be well versed in music theory to understand how melody lines are stitched together and repeated throughout the song. It's all about pattern recognition.
Try it, practice it and most of all, develop it into a habit, you'll be amazed by the results!
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