A guide to all the chord symbols you're likely to come across in chord charts for popular music and jazz.
Learn note names like you're making a new friend.
Most major and minor chords share these 3 basic shapes. Pattern recognition can go a long way when you're first learning chords!
Remember: all chord symbols are already simplifications. Use these tips to help get your hands on more advanced songs as you're learning.
A breakdown of the most common ways to learn a piano piece, and why you should choose chords if you have any of these 5 musical goals.
Demonstrating the process of making a quick chord chart for this song using relative pitch.
I'm making a quick chord chart for this song using relative pitch. Listening for notes and chords as numbers, hearing where they are in relation to the key of the song. Anyone can learn to do this!
The difference between beginner and pro when it comes to playing chord progressions at the piano.
How to play every major scale on piano, for right and left hands, single and multiple octaves.
The 3 main benefits of major scales, and practice tools to maximize each.
5 ways to use this classic piano piece to inspire your own compositions.
This is my favorite topic to teach - numbers give you superpowers!
How to learn songs by ear using relative pitch - and how the process changes as your ear develops over time.
My thoughts on using intervals for ear training.
6 broad categories for what we need to grow as musicians.
A 3-step framework for making things more efficient when transcribing. Can be done with any DAW and any form of music notation; I'm using Logic and Sibelius.
Relative, parallel, natural, harmonic, melodic. Fingerings and practice approaches. 5 minutes.
3 basic approaches to start with when you're creating solo piano arrangements from a lead sheet.
How to think about building a juicy voicing for a piano chord: start with the most important chord tones.
Things to consider when writing harmony at the piano: register, function, and voice leading.
The essential music theory concept that makes the "4 chords" idea work... even though the songs in these medleys actually use different chords.
Songs performed: "It Could Happen to You" (Jimmy van Heusen and Johnny Burke) "Blue Monk" (Thelonious Monk)
"Good Luck, Babe!" (Chappell Roan) In this video I'm demonstrating how to make a quick chord chart for this song using relative pitch. Listening for notes and chords as numbers, hearing where they are in relation to the key of the song. Anyone can learn to do this!
This is the first thing I do with most private students; you can use it as a practice tool for the rest of your life.
Use the "slow and simple sliders" to practice more effectively. Piece used in the video is Chopin's Nocturne op 9 no 2.
An introduction to passing chords, and how you can add variety and creativity to your own chord progressions: - alternating chords - secondary dominants - chromatic bass notes - tritone substitution - extending back
In this program you'll learn essential piano skills for songwriters and producers. Practice a clear monthly assignment based on your grade level. Perform your assignment for a small group of your classmates in our monthly Studio Class. Connect with your peers throughout the month in the Academy forum and ask Ted questions at Office Hours. Our assignments each month will be based around a classic chord progression, with different assignments based on your ability. Here's a preview of the April overview video for the I - II - IV - I chord progression.