Picking Up Chords - Getting Ready

Ok, it's time to play with some chords!

So, where do we begin?

After thinking for a while I came up with the following progression of topics. I've tried to filter out unnecessary details, so that it's easy for the beginners to keep themselves motivated.

I will list the topics first, and then I will expand on them one by one. And of course, I will try to provide ample examples (in the next post).

Topics

> What Keys Make Up a Chord?
> Major vs. Minor Chords.
> Memorizing the Bare Minimum.

What Keys Make Up a Chord?

Chords are what you hear when multiple keys are played together. The most popular chords are Major and Minor chords. These are called triads, since they are made of three keys (in a particular order). There are many others (dominant, sixth, augmented ...) which are played with three or four keys - but we can live without those in the beginning. :)

Now, say we number the keys relative to a key (root key) we play. We count both black and white keys. If the number for the root key is 1, then we can denote

* Major Chord = 1-5-8

If you are coming from the Harmonium world, play Sa-Ga-Pa together in the scale you sing. This immediately gives the Major Chord of your scale. For example, if your scale is Bb (called B-flat), then you just played the chord Bb-Major (common for female vocalists), also simply called Bb. If your scale is C (common for male vocalists), then it's the C-Major or C chord you just played. Now if you use the above numbering system and count, you will see that Sa-Ga-Pa corresponds to 1-5-8.

If you don't care a lot about the Harmonium world, then just choose any key. Then call it number 1, and count up to identify the 5th and the 8th key. Now if you play them together, then you just played a Major chord. The chord is named after the name of it's key 1. So, now if you identify the name of the Key 1 (say F), then you played F-Major Chord. That's it!

So, how many Major Chords are there in the Major Chord family? The answer is 12 (all the keys in between two octaves - the lower Sa and the upper Sa).

A point to note - Major chords are happy sounding. In this blog, I'll often refer to them as Happy Chords.

Major vs. Minor Chords

Minor chords are a different family of chords. If you repeat the above exercise, but instead of the 5th key, if you use the 4th key, then you are a playing Minor Chord. In others words,

* Minor chord = 1+4+8

A simple change in finger position, but creates an immensely different mood!

In the Harmomium world, you'd be playing Sa-KomolGa-Pa.

Once again as above, there are 12 Minor chords in this family.

A point to note - Minor chords are often moody or sad sounding. In this blog, I'll often refer to them as Moody Chords.

Memorizing the Bare Minimum

Here are the two (and probably the ONLY TWO) things you need to remember if you aim is to pick up and play accompanying chords for a song:

* Major chord = 1-5-8 (Happy Chords)
* Minor chord = 1-4-8 (Moody Chords)

I'm not kidding! You don't need to memorize anything else.

Ok, I think now we are ready to try out a few songs (coming up in the next post)!