| Wouldn't it be nice if you could predict which | | | | most likely chords to occur in any given key.For |
| chord would probably come next in a song?I've | | | | example, if I am playing in the Key of C, and the |
| got some good news for you.It is possible. Not | | | | first chord is the C chord and I have to guess |
| 100%, but somewhere on the order of 75% to | | | | what the next chord is, I would guess that it |
| 85% accurate.That's because music has FORM -- | | | | would be either the F chord or the G chord. Why? |
| like the skeleton that holds your flesh, muscles, | | | | Because those are the other "family members". |
| and skin up. If you had no bones -- no skeleton -- | | | | So we have narrowed the odds a great deal just |
| your flesh and all the other parts of you would fall | | | | by knowing who the members of the family |
| in a heap on the floor. Not a pretty picture. But | | | | are.So how could I tell whether it should be F or |
| because you DO have a skeleton, you are able to | | | | G?If the melody is a "B", then the chord is |
| walk around and pretty accurately predict which | | | | probably a G chord. Why? Because "B" is in the G |
| way your next step will take you. | | | | chord, but is not in the F chord. |
| It's the same in music. Music has FORM -- a | | | | If the melody is a "A", than I would guess that |
| skeleton to hold it up, hold it together. And that | | | | the chord is F. Why? Because "A" is in the F |
| skeleton is made out of chords -- harmony -- the | | | | chord, but is not in the G chord. |
| tonal center of the song or piece.In any given key | | | | Does that mean that there are always just 3 |
| you can play in, there are PRIMARY CHORDS -- | | | | chords in a song?No, but there are literally |
| chords that occur way more than other chords. | | | | hundreds of songs that are made of just 3 |
| They are like family members of that particular | | | | chords.What if there are more than 3 chords in a |
| key.At your house, let's say you have 3 people in | | | | song? What then?We'll take that up in part 2 of |
| your family -- your spouse, your child, and you. | | | | this series of articles.Duane Shinn is the author of |
| On the same block, but down the street a few | | | | over 500 music books and music educational |
| houses, lives your cousin and her family. | | | | materials such as DVD's, CD's, musical games for |
| At any given moment, who are the most likely | | | | kids, chord charts, musical software, and piano |
| people to be in your house?Steve Martin? John | | | | lesson instructional courses for adults. His |
| McCain? Barry Bonds?I don't think so.It's possible, | | | | book-CD-DVD course titled "How To Play Chord |
| of course, but not too likely. If I had to guess, I | | | | Piano In Ten Days!" has sold over 100,000 copies |
| would say it would be either you, your spouse, or | | | | around the world. He holds advanced degrees |
| your child. It might be your cousin down the | | | | from Southern Oregon University and was the |
| street -- there's a much better chance of that | | | | founder of Piano University in Southern Oregon. |
| than, say, Mel Gibson -- but my best odds would | | | | He is the author of the popular free 101-week |
| be to guess that the family members would be | | | | online e-mail newsletter titled "Amazing Secrets Of |
| there.It's the same way with chords. In any given | | | | Exciting Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord |
| key, there are 3 "family members" that are | | | | Progressions" with over 70,000 current |
| residents of that key -- the I chord, the IV chord, | | | | subscribers. |
| and the V chord. They are far and away the | | | | |