Music Tidbit Snippet

If you have ever wanted to play piano by ear, it is simple to train your ear to hear the tones.....  First, let's start at the beginning..... Sounds like a song, doesn't it?  Tee Hee

The main thing is to remember there is a Signature Key of  "C" and a Chord of "C".    You can play most ALL hymns with  3 chords and an accidental.  

Pick out a hymn in the key of C...

In the Signature Key (No flats or sharps)  of  "C" , you will use three chords. C (CEG), F (FAC). G (GBD) and the accidental chord of D (DF# A).....   You can keep rhythm using your right hand with these chords while singing the melody of the hymn and listen to where you think they will change to one of the 3 chords or accidental chord.  This will help train your ear to hear the chords and not rely on your reading ability.  Of course you can always cheat and look at the music but the purpose of this exercise is to "train your hearing to the chord sounds" and anticipate them by ear.

Once you "master" the Key of C,  look at a hymn in the Key of  "G" (which is 1 sharp key signature).  You already know the chords used in C (C, F, G and D) so you just need to learn one new accidental chord "A" (AC#E).    

If you memorize (at some point) this Circle of Major Keys:

6 Sharps   -   Key of G# or Db 

5 Sharps   -   Key of B

4 Sharps   -   Key of E

3 Sharps   -   Key of A

2 Sharps   -   Key of D

1 Sharp    -   Key of G

No Sharps/Flats  Key of C

1 Flat       -   Key of F

2 Flats     -   Key of Bb

3 Flats     -   Key of Eb

4 Flats     -   Key of Ab

5 Flats     -   Key of Db

6 Flats     -   Key of Gb or F#  

If this is in a circle, you notice that 6 flats and 6 sharps are the same, Gb and F#.  

You can take this circle and the key you are playing in will encompass the one above and the one below:

Example.  The key of C uses C G and F chords; the key of F uses F C and Bb, etc....  There is occasionally an accident in music that is not in the 3 chord structure and the chord above the normal 3 chords will be that accidental, 99% of the time.  Example:  The key of C uses C G and F chords and the accidental chord will be D chord .... The key of F uses F C and Bb chords and the accidental chord will be G chord.

Do you see the pattern?  Start with the key of C and graduate to other keys..... Next time we will talk about minors, sevenths, augmented and diminished chords simplified....  Also keeping rhythm.

There are a lot of theory rules, regulations and guides to finding chords but the circle of keys will basically give you what you need to begin.....   
Accordion bass buttons are also placed like this to be able to easily reach when playing..


ALSO, remember by learning one Key Signature at a time, you will learn and not get overwhelmed and it will be fun.....  I like playing the piano for fun.  When I taught piano, I always hated the phrase  "practice the piano" and preferred the phrase "play the piano" !!