| So, you're thinking about (or are already) playing piano | | | | By starting with this chord structure - and learning all |
| using the chord approach. But, you're lost in the sea of | | | | the chords in all 12 keys, you have a foundation to build |
| chord types. | | | | on. |
| There are minor piano chords, major piano chords, and | | | | This way it won't confuse you. For example, in the |
| diminished piano chords. There are 9th chords flat 5 | | | | Key of C Major we have 7 chords. These are: C |
| chords and other chords I can't even begin to describe | | | | Major 7, D minor 7, E minor 7, F Major 7, G7, A minor 7, |
| to you. | | | | and B diminished 7. The last chord (B diminished seven |
| The good news is you don't need to learn piano | | | | is rarely used) but is included for you anyway. |
| chords this way. There's a much easier way to learn | | | | Once you learn these chords in the Key of C Major, |
| them and it all has to do with something called the | | | | you simply go down the circle of fifths. The next Key |
| open position chord. | | | | is F Major and so on. |
| Those of you who have been reading my articles for | | | | By learning only seventh chords to start it makes it |
| some time know I'm a big fan of this chord structure. | | | | much easier to add on the extensions. For example, if I |
| You also know that I like it because you use both | | | | wanted to construct a C Major 9 chord, I simply add in |
| hands right away to create a modern sounding | | | | the ninth (the d note) and that's that. |
| seventh chord. | | | | The beautiful thing about the open position chord |
| Now why is starting out with seventh chords so | | | | structure is that it's like a skeleton. It spreads your |
| important? Because, this chord type is the foundation | | | | fingers out over 2 octaves and "opens up" the chord |
| for ALL modern chords period. | | | | so adding in notes is easy! |