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The Piano Player, Issue #54 Let's Have Fun With Chord Piano
March 30, 2020

Tips & Tools for Piano Players

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"The Piano Player"-- Issue #54, March 2020

In This Issue:

Introduction to Chord Piano

Basic piano Chords for Beginners

Piano Chord Inversions for Beginners

Got Piano Questions?

Piano Question of the Month

Piano Sheet Music

Comments? Ideas? Feedback?



Introduction to Chord Piano

Hello,

I hope that you’re doing well and have the opportunity to play and practice piano. In these times of difficulties, at least music can give us a welcome respite from everyday worries.

As so many other piano teachers, I now teach my private students online. I have found that despite the technical difficulties, it’s really working better than expected. I also see how important it is to continue to play the piano and keep a regular routine.

A fun way to play piano is to play chord piano, like the guitar, but on the piano. It’s quick to learn and sounds really good even as a beginner. Just learn a few chords, sing along and make music! Perhaps someone could even drag the keyboard on to the balcony and share some music for the neighbors to sing along with, as for example in Italy? :)

Let’s play more music! Here are some chord piano lessons for you to try out.

Enjoy!


Introduction to Chord Piano

Chord Piano is what we call the style of "comping" or "faking" chords, played either with a melody or by playing only chords (or harmonies).

For beginners, you can simply play the melody in one hand-usually the right hand- and play a selected few 3-note chords or triads in your left hand to "match" with the melody.

Read more >>>


Basic piano Chords for Beginners

The first chord to learn when you start playing chords, is the root position three-note chord. It is also called a triad since it has only three notes; a root, a third and a fifth.

Basic chords are built with thirds stacked on top of each other. Learning to play triads (which are the basic three note chords) is the first step to know when learning chord piano. It is also very easy!

Read more >>>


Piano Chord Inversions for Beginners

When you play chord piano, you need to be able to move from chord to chord smoothly and with minimum effort. By inverting chords, you can do just that!

When you make an inversion of a piano chord, you simply rearrange the notes using the same notes in a different order.

A triad (a three-note chord) in root position has the three notes spaced a third apart.

Read more >>>


Got Piano Questions?

Ask your piano related questions here: Piano Q & A
And music theory questions here: Music Theory Q & A



Piano Question of the Month

Is It Necessary to Learn Piano Chords?

I only now discovered your website. I am 59 and like to improve my piano playing skills. Want to know - is it really necessary to learn chords? Thanks.

Maria’s answer:

I guess you mean to play chords as an accompaniment, or the art of “comping” as it is also called. No, many otherwise skilled pianists do not know how to play by reading chords from a lead sheet.

So, if you are really not interested to learn to play chords and/or your time is limited – of course, you don’t have to!

But – since you are asking me ; ) – why not?

Read more >>>


Piano Sheet Music

Free Chord Piano Lead Sheet

I found a resource with a fun piano chord lead sheet online. This you can download and print free.

Try it and practice singing along while playing chords, or play the melody in your right hand and the chords in the left.

Good practice, fun and easy!

Free Lead Sheet: Three Blind Mice >>>





Comments? Ideas? Feedback?

I'd love to hear from you. Just reply to this newsletter and tell me what you think or what you'd like to read more about.

Happy Practicing!

Your Online Piano Coach,


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