Two or more pitches sounded together, with a specific intervallic relationship. See also [tag:harmony]
6
votes
2answers
176 views
Why do we use thirds to construct chords?
I am (slowly) learning music theory on the guitar. I've begun learning about scales and chords, and it seems that all chords are built using some combination of thirds.
For example, a minor triad is ...
6
votes
5answers
123 views
Getting consistent tone from bar chords
Perhaps it's just that I have small hands (e.g. index finger is barely longer than the 12th fret), but I seem to have issues with barring; no matter what I do it seems there is a string that's right ...
6
votes
1answer
99 views
How is this piano chord fingered in “Graceful Ghost”?
From the first page of the sheet music for "Graceful Ghost" (preview available from Sheet Music Plus), you can see that in the third measure (the first chord the right hand plays after the repeat ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
What are the most common ways to “decorate” a melody?
Yes, I know, there are way too many possibilities and it depends on the style of the music... I would be happy with an incomplete list for beginners (like me). Here is what I have so far:
...
5
votes
3answers
767 views
What are alternative “voicings” for Major/Minor/Dominant Chords if I can't play “Barre Chords”?
I would like some alternative Chord Voicings if I don't want to play the standard barre chords for major/minor/dominant voicings: Thanks!!
5
votes
3answers
1k views
Rock power chords that sound good together
Can anyone recommend some 'rock' power chords that sound good together?
So I can up the gain on the amp and rock out!
5
votes
3answers
294 views
“slash” chords, e.g. B/F♯ - are these only for inversions, or can any note be the bass note?
I'm trying to work out whether it is technically correct to have a "slash" chord where the bass note is not one of the notes in the chord.
I thought the main reason for slash chords is to show which ...
5
votes
4answers
290 views
I need help understanding the concept of chord inversions.
This article from wikipedia, states:
In the first inversion of a C major triad the bass is E—the 3rd of the
triad—with the 5th and the root
stacked above it (the root now shifted
an octave ...
5
votes
3answers
202 views
Replacing a single guitar note with a chord
I am teaching myself to play the electric guitar and I have printed out various tabs to practice with. On one there is a 14 single note introduction but, I have heard versions played where some notes ...
5
votes
2answers
159 views
The relationship between music theory and physical phenomena
The first unique overtones of a simple vibrating string form a major chord. Are there other simple physical structures that would generate other chord types?
5
votes
2answers
462 views
What is this chord (spelled 2nd, 4th, 5th) and how is it used?
For the piano/composers:
I compose music for the piano in my spare time, and one particular chord that has caught my attention (as one that I like a lot) is the D-F-G chord in C Major.
I have seen ...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
Ic-V-I perfect cadence progression SATB part writing rules
I am studying Music at AS-level - we have to harmonise a soprano line (in any style we wish I believe) with the alto, tenor and bass parts.
One possible perfect cadence I have been taught is the ...
5
votes
1answer
261 views
Building complex chords from Complex figured bass
I did a music exam today.
one of the questions was build chord from the following shapes (with the root given on the staff):
mM2
AugM7
dimdim 6/5
Mm6
what is the algorithm behind this markings. I ...
4
votes
6answers
2k views
Tips playing F barre chord
Any tips for a newbie in playing the F barre chord.
I find it very hard to put my fingers in place. I've got a strat.
I hear you can move it up and down the neck for other barre chords.
4
votes
3answers
3k views
Should I mute “unwanted” strings or not when playing power chords?
I've been playing guitar for a while but haven't yet actually learned to play any songs featuring hard power chords. Now I'm trying to learn some songs by Metallica and AC/DC, and I don't have to tell ...
4
votes
3answers
211 views
How do you play a barre chord (or a chord with 4+ strings)
I need to play a chord that goes:
$1.5.$2.7.$3.7.$4.7.$5.5
I can play a barre chord with my index finger and hold down all the strings on the fifth fret, but I cant hold down the three sevens. Any ...
4
votes
2answers
321 views
When I play the C chord, why does the electronic tuner indicate that it is a G chord?
I am playing the guitar, and I would like to make sure the chord I am playing is correct,
I downloaded the chord from the Internet, and I played it.
When I play the C Chord, the tuner shows me it is ...
4
votes
4answers
329 views
Chord books and theory
I have some basic knowledge on chords but I was wondering what books on chords and theory were the best for expanding my musical knowledge? As in, intermediate to advanced level books ?
4
votes
6answers
311 views
Is there a good Guitar Chord building web site?
I'm looking for a chord builder web site. Is there one that shows what strings are being played and what chord it is?
I'm specifically looking for the following chord, but ask for a web site so I can ...
4
votes
1answer
246 views
What's so special about III ?
Take a C major scale, and pick each other note, starting from each note
C-D-EF-G-A-BC-D-EF
I: C E G = C
ii: D F A = Dm
iii: E G B ...
4
votes
2answers
353 views
What are some 'Standard' first position rock chords?
I was showing someone how to play the intro to "More Than A Feeling", and as we were working through the chord pattern it dawned on me how many times I've played the same voicing for the Dmaj (C,B on ...
4
votes
2answers
208 views
Guitar chord ear training website/software
As part of the justinguitar beginners guitar course, there are lessons where you have to guess which guitar chord is being played. This is all pre recorded though, so the lessons are always the same.
...
4
votes
1answer
106 views
Sixth and Minor Seventh inversions conflicts
For example consider C6 [C-E-G-A] and Am7 [A-C-E-G] which share the same notes in different order.
When we play [E-G-A-C] how is it called?(is this a inversion of C6 or Am7)
Generally, how are these ...
4
votes
2answers
213 views
Learning the piano strictly by learning chords…and saving scales and complex fingerings for later…
I studied piano for a couple years as a young adult. I enjoyed it, but got busy with school/activities/other instruments and it fell by the wayside.
I've been interested in picking it up again and ...
4
votes
1answer
414 views
Franz Liszt Liebestraum No. 3 Bar 17 Roman Numeral Analysis
I'm going through Liszt's Liebestraum No. 3 in Ab M.... in bar 17, I don't know how to mark the A natural chord. It's either a #1 or the song has modulated to the natural minor, in which case it would ...
3
votes
3answers
3k views
What is the 1-6-2-5 Chord Progression?
Are there any scales that work well over this progression? My Mistake!! I was thinking of the song Breezin' by George Benson!!
3
votes
3answers
217 views
How do you play C7 fast on a guitar?
There is a somewhat difficult chord near the beginning of Isaac Albinez's Austurias. I will post it in tablature form for the sake of convenience:
Ｅ｜－１２－｜ ４
Ｂ｜－８－－｜ １
Ｇ｜－９－－｜ ２
...
3
votes
3answers
306 views
How to read stacked chords?
I'm trying to learn Laugh and a half by DAD. Everything is clear except for second line of verse 1 where there are chords on top of each other (G on top of D). How do I play them?
Em D ...
3
votes
1answer
258 views
What's the term for the intervals between notes within a scale that produces a chord
I probably described that poorly in the title, and I'm not even sure there is a word for what I'm thinking.
Lets say you're playing on just the white keys on a keyboard. C E G is C major, and D F A ...
3
votes
2answers
225 views
What technique is it called in the song “Better Man” by Robbie William?
I just recently recall about this song and started to play it. There is a change of base chord in the song during the bridge.
I am playing on C (C, G, Am, F, Em) and during the bridge, it changed to ...
3
votes
1answer
274 views
Why do the Canadian and American ways of writing chords symbols differ?
I've been studying music harmony (for the RCM program), and my teacher explained to me that the American way of writing chord symbols slightly differs from the Canadian way. For example, the chord ...
3
votes
2answers
678 views
Why is the G/F chord not shown?
I'm trying to play a song, and one of the chords is G/F. I tried to look it up on this site, but it's only showing G/F#, not G/F. So is G/F a typo? Why is it not listed on this site?
3
votes
1answer
243 views
Chord lick, looking for others similar and maybe a bit of the theory behind how it works…
Here's a nice little chord lick that I picked up from Little Charlie of Little Charlie and the Nightcats. Charlie uses it as a turnaround in a few Swing Blues tunes he does.
$4.9.$3.8.$2.9.$1.7 / ...
3
votes
2answers
240 views
How to Harmonize uncommon scales?
How do you harmonize scales like
C C# F F# Bb
Whole tone scale : C D E F# Ab Bb
?
(The scales above are just examples.)
Scales like these do not seem to bias to Major or Minor harmony, ...
3
votes
1answer
305 views
I need help to understand chord intervals (not single note intervals)
I understand intervals between notes. Each number of steps between two notes has a particular name. Like this:
But some times I see people refering to intervals between chords, not single notes. ...
3
votes
2answers
118 views
Roman Analysis of “Ab B G” chord
I am currently analyzing a bit of music for homework which consists of four voices (string quartet).
It is in the key of G Major, but the chord that it ends on, is a Ab on the cello, B on the Viola, ...
3
votes
3answers
212 views
Musical Harmony: When to use more than three chords
I understand that I, IV, and V chords in both major and minor keys are common chords that make up a good progression. I understand that those 3 chords cover all the notes diatonic to the key that we ...
3
votes
3answers
3k views
How to memorize seventh chords and inversions on piano?
These past few months I've been teaching myself how to play piano, using my background in guitar and a basic knowledge of music theory I've picked up from that. I am having difficulty "memorizing" ...
3
votes
2answers
527 views
Guitar Fingerings for susb9 chords?
This chord goes well with Phrygian Mode and second mode of Melodic Minor.
From Mark Levin's Jazz Theory Book: "The Notes most often played on a susb9 chord, .. , are root, b9, 4th, 5th, and 7th. This ...
3
votes
1answer
358 views
What theory underpins how arpeggiators work?
Arpeggiators are fairly common in dance music, particularly trance. In this example you can see he is pressing just one key and letting the keyboard do the rest for him, and it changes up and down.
...
3
votes
2answers
761 views
Playing Piano in a Big Band / Chordal Accompaniments
I play piano in a jazz band and I've been learning piano for about 8/10 years now. The type of music I'm talking about here is mainly swing music.
What are some good techniques/practices for ...
3
votes
2answers
280 views
What do the brackets mean?
I'm trying to learn Sea Diver by Mott the Hoople. The first line of notes are:
C#(g#) C#(f) F#
I understand C# means play the C major chord one note higher. What does the (g#) mean? Does it mean the ...
2
votes
4answers
492 views
Finding chords that sound like a single note
I cannot seem to find an algorithm to do this.
Say I play an E (not a chord)... it sounds a certain way. If I make it into a chord an play an E Major chord it sounds completely different. What would ...
2
votes
3answers
313 views
Four-chord songs with more than four chords
The Axis of Awesome has a song called "4 Chords", a medley of various songs all written, or so it's claimed, using the same four chords.
Now, from what I understand, a chord is just a bunch of tones ...
2
votes
1answer
302 views
Which advanced chords can I use for a song composition in scale of G?
I am making a song composition in a scale of G.
I have already used major chords G, C and D and in some places I have used Am, Em and Bm.
I would like to make this composition richer with some ...
2
votes
1answer
311 views
What does the circle around a note mean in a guitar chord diagram?
I'm trying to play E/G#. I found this, but what is that symbol on the 4th string?
2
votes
3answers
144 views
website with jazz guitar chords and photos of hands?
I'm getting so frustrated with the terrible signal to noise ratio searching for guitar chord websites so thought I'd ask here. I'm looking for something with:
lots of different voicings for chords, ...
2
votes
1answer
220 views
What chord is this from Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 “G - Db - F”?
This is an except from Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 by Liszt from John Thompson's Grade 3:
What is the name of the chord (G,Db,F) and its harmonic function in the bass clef of the second bar?
EDIT:
...
2
votes
3answers
285 views
Do you ever play a barre chord without you index finger on guitar?
I would think the only finger you'd ever use to play a barre chord is you index finger. is this right?
As in the finger you'd use to make the barre.
2
votes
2answers
370 views
Are there any publicly available databases ( not just web apps ) of guitar chords?
I need guitar chords in a database for a project I'm working on ( preferably MySQL, CSV or some other easily portable format ). I can imagine many formats by which one could store this information, so ...
