Being a long-time music teacher, I have found out that my students tend to do better learning to play “by ear “in any key when they learn chords and then learn to use those chords in chord progressions!

Why?  Once the student learns a chord and its inversions, they need to immediately start learning to use that chord in a progression or they will just be learning a bunch of chords and not learning how to USE those chords to play a song.

Start with just the basic progression that every song has—the I, IV, V.

The I to IV

• Start with the ROOT position of the I, then move UP to the closest or the most logical move to the IV.
• Be aware of what notes move up or down and half or whole steps.
• Be aware of HOW THIS MOVEMENT sounds so you can identify it later when listening to another song.
• Usually the IV sound “lifts” or moves higher.
• If the melody line notes move 1, 2, 3, 4 it is a clue that you are will probably be moving to the IV.
• If you are starting with the ROOT position of the I, you will probably move to the 2^nd inversion of the IV.
• NEVER move from the ROOT position of the I to the ROOT position of the IV. That is CHUNKY and sounds NASTY!
• Make your chord progressions move smoothly and logically. Don’t make big GAPPY moves!

The I to V

• Start with the ROOT position of the I, now move down to the closest or the most logical move to the V.
• Be aware of what notes move up or down and half or whole steps.
• Be aware of WHAT HOW THIS MOVEMENT sounds so you can identify it later when listening to another song.
• Usually the I to V has a “dropping” or “lowering” sound.
• The melody line notes may move, 1, 3, 4, 5.
• You will be able to “imagine the sound” of the left hand moving down 8, 7, 6, 5. At first you may need to make the left hand movement, but it can sound “dorky” so you don’t want to get into the habit of doing that movement whenever you move I to V.
• NEVER move from the ROOT position of the I to the ROOT position of the V. Think CHUNKY and NASTY!
• Make your chord progressions move smoothly and logically. Don’t make big GAPPY moves!

© 2018 Pamela Rentzel – www.pentecostalmusicians.com/PMblog/

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by Pamela Rentzel

I like to teach “memory tricks” when I’m teaching chords and chord progressions!  Why?  Because if the student memorizes the “trick” or “short cut” they can INSTANTLY play the chord when they see it on a chord sheet! 

I’ve been asked “doesn’t that affect the students desire or ability to learn music theory?”  Absolutely not!  If a student has a desire to learn music theory—they will take the necessary classes and investigate the necessary documents to learn the “whys” and “wherefores” of the underlying theory. 

Let’s be honest, many people who play “by ear” or “by chords” have no desire to learn music theory—which I find disappointing—but it’s their choice.  I would rather teach a student a “trick” or “short cut” which will allow them to use better chords and better chord progressions rather than listen to them play just the triads and basic chord changes within a key signature.

If you are an individual who wants to learn the theory and what makes music “tick” go for it!  It’s great!   If you play by ear or chords and just want to play well but not delve into the mechanics of music theory, then learn the “tricks” and “short cuts” so you can play well NOW.  Perhaps one of these days something will click in your brain and you’ll want to know the WHY as well as the HOW.  In addition, using the “tricks” and “short cuts” allows you to memorize chords and progressions without having to sit and calculate the formulas as you play!