Musical chords

Someone (a student of mine) asked me the difference between a chord and a musical chord. At first I chuckled at the question, because after all, a chord is a chord -- it's part of music.

But after thinking about it for a moment, I realized that it depends on how the word is used, and the intent of the question. Did she mean that she really doesn't know that all chords are music chords? While possible, that didn't seem likely. Or perhaps she used the word "musical" in the sense of "pleasant or good" -- one chord is musical, while another chord is discordant.

That started me thinking about words in general, and how we who speak English as a native language must drive other people nuts (there's another idiom!) with our idioms.

Take, for example, the phrase "candy box". 99% of us would assume that what is being spoken of is candy in a box. But to a person who grew up speaking another language, it could mean a box made out of candy. And that is a simple example -- it gets much more complex.

I have a young friend from Mexico that I joke with, and one day I called him a hot dog. He looked at me quizzically and asked "pero calliente?" -- which is the literal translation of hot dog. He wondered if I was calling him a dog that was hot.
So I explained the idiom, and he got a big kick out of it, and now calls me "pero calliente" every time I see him.

And so while I realize that phrases such as "musical chords" can mean different things to different people, I told the lady who asked that they are the same as any kind of chords. And chords, of course, are groups of 3 or more notes played simultaneously. (Unless you are speaking of "broken chords" -- but let's not go there...or "implied chords" ...and let's definitely not go there!)

Here's a way to learn chords on your CD player in your car...

A friend of mine has just come out with an audio series of chord lessons so you can listen and learn as you drive, work, play, or whatever. Check it out at Audio Series.

"Do You Know Of A Good Course In Singing?"

From time to time people ask me if I have a course in singing.

If you heard me sing, you would know for sure that I don't have a course in singing. But there is an excellent course available online called something like Sing-O-Rama It is very inexpensive and has good reviews. Listen to the creator of the course tell about it at Sing-O-Rama.

Pretty interesting.

If you take the course, please let me know how you like it -- thanks!

Jazz waltz using 3 chords & frozen fingers...

How many chords are there, anyway?

There are major chords, minor chords, 7th chords, and on and on. So how many chords are there?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6673999641129555819

The Circle of Keys Podcast

Circle of keys:

http://web.mac.com/chordsgalore/iWeb/Site/Podcast/BBD58BAF-4A36-40AF-847A-60AFC31690A3.html

Minor chords video

Minor chords

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Have you seen the 4-fingered pianist?

http://dopejam.multiply.com:80/video/item/6

Piano For Adult Near-Beginners

"Classical Piano For Adult "Near-Beginners!"
(Who Have Forgotten Most Of What They Learned
When They Took Lessons As Kids)

One of the great things about this course is that Duane doesn't just teach you to play a song, but to understand the song in terms of form and chord analysis. That way you not only learn to play, but you understand what you are playing, which makes it much easier to retain and to memorize.

This course was specifically developed by Duane for adults who are "near-beginners" -- they read music a little, but aren't very advanced. There are thousands of adults like that who took piano lessons when they were kids, but have forgotten most of what they learned.

If you are one of these people, here is a way to get up to speed fast. On the DVD Duane walks you carefully through song after song, explaining the key and what chords to expect, as well as the form of the song. (Lots of pieces use the "AABA" form -- which means if you learn the "A" section, you've already learned 3/4 of the piece. All you have to do then is learn the "B" section and you've got it!)

You are really going to love this course if you enjoy playing classical music!

Please go to: http://www.pianoforbeginners.com/

"I Took Piano Lessons As a Kid, But I've Forgotten Almost Everything..."

"I Took Piano Lessons As a Kid, But I've Forgotten Almost Everything..."

There are literally millions of adults today who took piano lessons when they were growing up, but at some point along the way gave them up. Some couldn't care less, but many have an urge down deep to take up piano playing again someday.

Over the years I have never heard anyone say "I'm glad I never learned to play the piano", but I have heard hundreds say something like "I sure wish I had paid attention when I was a kid", or "My piano teacher was too strict (or too boring), but I would love to get back to the piano some day."

And most people that feel that way have the "round-tuit" problem that we all have; they mean well, but the busyness of life distracts them from starting to play again. And they really don't want to take lessons again from the little old lady down the street who can't tell the Beatles from Beethoven. Plus it's hard to work regular lessons into their already-packed schedule.

So what's the solution?

Please go to the full article to read and watch the short video:


"I Took Piano Lessons As a Kid, But I've Forgotten Almost Everything..."

Click here to watch the free 6-minute video!