Second chords are really pretty. You can use them to add flare and spice up your music. But first, how can you make a 2nd chord in any key?! Watch this!

2nd chords are also called Suspended 2nd chords because they add some suspense and flare to an otherwise normal major chord. Can be resolved to a major chord after playing a 2nd chord.

Suspended chords add suspense and usually end in a resolution (major chord). These are also called Suspended 4th chords, because they use the 4th note in the scale.

The 6th chord is merely a Major chord with an additional note: the M6 note. This is the 6th note in the major scale. You'll learn about the M6 interval in the ear training lessons.

The minor 6th chord is just like a Minor chord with one additional note, the M6 note. This chord is commonly played right after a major chord of the same root, ex: F major (F) to an F minor 6 (Fm6). It sounds cool, but isn't a super common occurrence.

A fifth chord is super simple. Omit the 3 note of a major chord and you've got it!

Major 7th chords are very smooth and beautiful. You'll learn to identify their flavor with practice.

Seventh chords, also called dominant 7 chords, are used in blues, classic jazz and various other types of music. They have a sharp but interesting sounds, almost dissonant, but yet pleasant, exciting.

A Minor 7th chord takes the melodic, dramatic, sadness of a minor chord and adds flavors of smoothness and more beauty to the chord. It's hard to explain, but it mellows and smooths out the chord, makes it a little happier and adds character to it. Check this one out!!

A diminished chord is used in jazz and southern gospel among others. These are commonly used as a transition between chords. A common example is going from a 4 chord to a 5 chord (such as F to G in the key of C), you could use F, F#dim to G. It's easier than it sounds, just watch the clip!

Note: to diminish means to become less or smaller. Remembering this helps me remember that this chord is taking the 3rd and the 5th of a major chord and 'diminishing' them or lessening them one half step each!

To augment means to make larger or increase. To make an augmented chord, just augment or increase the 5th of a major chord by one half step. Check it out!

Inversions are neat! You can take any chord and re-arrange it if you just start the chord with a different note than the root. Try these out after watching this lecture!

More on inversions!

If you can invert a 3 note chord, why note a 4 or 5 note chord. You don't have to start the chord with the root note at the far left of the chord.

A slash chord is pretty common. It just adds a special Bass note in addition to the normal chord.

Most people claim they can't sing or play instruments because they think they are tone deaf. This is most of the time a misunderstanding. Usually it is an untrained ear or untrained vocal folds and/or hands.

True tone deafness (amusia) is very very uncommon and that's good news. Chances are good that you can actually train your ear and your listening skills to recognize the relationships that notes have to each other and the subtle differences in types of chords. Training your ear is the 2nd half of learning to play. Anyone can play chords written out on a piece of paper, but to be able to identify the chord patterns, understand the relationships in music - that is playing by ear.

Here's the first batch of intervals. Study and practice these subtle differences.

Learn these relationships well also.

Before you practice your Ear Training exercises on this course, I want to let you know that there are also websites, free games and apps that you can download in order to train on the go whenever you want. These games are dynamic and can be random, unlike my quizzes which could accidentally be memorized if you redo them enough. I say that only to tell you that you can use my quizzes on this course, but I HIGHLY recommend practicing dynamically and randomly using websites, games and/or apps so you can practice a variety of routines anytime you want! It's fun and as you get better, you'll get higher scores, react quicker and will ultimately be better at identifying chord patterns and shapes!!!

Boom!

The Link is within the video External Resources link.

-Dan

Get out your paper and pen and watch this video. You'll need these quizzes to test your Ear and help you fine tune your listening skills. Take them as much as needed!

4/4 Time is the most common. You'll hear it just about everywhere in modern music. Check it out!

Note: Most of the Jam Tracks are in 4/4 time as are most songs.

3/4 Time isn't very common at all, unless you play Waltz or Traditional music, but you need to be aware of it and how it works.

BONUS: See Jam tracks "Down in The Valley" and "On Top of Spaghetti" to practice with some 3/4 songs!

2/4 Time is somewhat more prevalent, often punk rock will use this, among other genres. This is a quick beat!

6/8 Time is a very smooth and fun beat, check this out!

In this lecture, we learn which beats are most common to switch chords on. Follow along, this is really helpful!

This is a jam-packed lesson will teach you about when to use other beats than the 1 and 3 beat. This is FUN! Check it out!

Learn how to use the Bass notes with your left hand and some cool tricks!

More on working the Bass notes!

Cool Bonus tricks

Even more fun examples!

When to change chords other than the 1 and the 3 beats. Fun!

Fun tricks to end a song or section of a song!

Learn the chords in G

Learn the chords in F

Learn the chords in D

Learn the chords in E

Learn the chords in A

Learn the chords in B

Jam with me! Grab your Piano and let's practice good rhythm and changing chords in sync!

Down in the Valley is a good Jam track for practicing 3/4 rhythm

Another fun Jam session awaits. Join me!

Jam with me, now using a chord sheet (attached) and with Drums in the back to jam with.

Jam with me, now using a chord sheet (attached) and with Drums in the back to jam with.

This is a slight variation of chords. Let's Jam and experiment to the beat!

This is a fun pattern that is common in popular music. Let's Jam!

More practice with transitions and jamming out!

This song sounds like a popular Coldplay song. Let's jam out together!!

Fill out the quiz after the video or using a separate internet tab. This quiz involves listening to 3 chords in a row and identifying which type of progression was played. Feel free to re-take this quiz as much as you want, because ear training is an ongoing exercise for life! It's fun!!

Fill out the quiz after the video or using a separate internet tab. This quiz involves listening to 4 chords in a row and identifying which type of progression was played. Feel free to re-take this quiz as much as you want, because ear training is an ongoing exercise for life! It's fun!!

A few final thoughts, words of encouragement and tips for you, the budding or growing musician!