Do You Hear What I Hear?? The Basic Chord Changes–I – IV – V

We hear a lot of talk about playing by ear, but usually what we’re doing is teaching our students to learn the three basic chord changes of a key signature and then just try to put them into songs until they find where they fit. In this lesson I am going to suggest several things we can actually LISTEN for so we’ll know and not have to guess what chord change is used.

Remember this lesson will cover just the basic changes—the I, IV and V. If you cannot automatically HEAR these movements or are teaching a beginner to hear chord movements, this will be a great foundation!

The examples given are in the key of C so I’m using the C scale (do-re-me-fa-so-la-te-do). It has all white notes and is the easiest key to play. In preparation:

  1. Get familiar with the C scale. The notes are:
  2. C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C

Listen to the C scale going UP and coming DOWN

Click button to hear audio.

  1. In the key of C, the basic chord changes are the C (I) chord, the F (IV) chord and the G (V) chord.
  2. Learn those chords. They are also called triads because they are 3-note chords.
  3. It is IMPERATIVE to learn chords in 3 positions. These are  called the ROOT position, the 1st inversion (to invert means to turn something over—so you’re basically just turning over your chord) and the 2nd inversion.  Click here to download the Major Chord Charts.

Listening Clues:

The tonal movement from the C to F goes UP higher or “lifts.”

Click button to hear audio.

The tonal movement from the C to G goes DOWN or lower.

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In the song “To be like Jesus” on the first line….you will hear

  1. The melody moving up the C scale, C, D, E, F  You know you are moving from the C chord to the F chord in the 1st inversion.
    You also can listen for the bottom end (bass or left hand) to move up the scale C, D, E, F.   The numbers under the staves below are scale degrees related to the C scale.

Click button to hear audio.

DYHWIH_I-IVA

Click button to hear audio.

DYHWIH_I-IV-LH

  1. On the 2nd line “to be like Jesus” you will hear the F moving back to the C chord in the 2nd inversion. You will hear the bottom end of the song move down F, E, D, C and you’ll be back to the C chord.

Click button to hear audio.

DYHWIH_IV-IA

Click button to hear audio.

DYHWIH_IV-I-LH

  1. “to be like Him” You will hear the C move to the G chord in the Root position.
    • The melody notes might move: C E D – when you arrive at the D note you will play the G chord.
    • Or the melody might move: C D E D – this will indicate a move to the V change which is the G chord.
    • You will be able to hear (at least in your head) the bottom end move down C, B, A G

Click button to hear audio.

DYHWIH_I-VA

Click button to hear audio.

DYHWIH_I-V-LH

  1. “All through life’s journey” The G chord moves back to the C chord in the 1st inversion. Listen for that bass line moving G A B C
  2. “From earth to glory.” Listen to the bottom end move C, D, E F and you know you’re moving to the F chord.

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DYHWIH_I-IVB

  1. “I only ask” goes back to the C chord in the root position.
  2. “To be” goes to the G chord – listen for the bass end to drop lower
  3. “Like Him” – comes home to C – song ends with C in the 1st inversion.

Click button to hear audio.

DYHWIH_I-V-IA

Just a quick hint! The 1st two lines of “This Land is Your Land” is pretty much identical to “To Be Like Jesus”

Another thing to remember is that the BASIC chord changes will most likely take place on the DOWNBEAT (beat 1 of the measure) or beat 3.

Now I’m going to play through “To Be Like Jesus” with simple chords.

Click button to hear audio.

In the Song “God is So Good”

  1. 1st “God is so good”.   Listen for bottom end to move lower C B A G or the melody line to move C E D and you know you’re moving to the G chord in the Root position.

Click button to hear audio.

DYHWIH_I-VB

Click button to hear audio.

DYHWIH_I-V-LH

  1. 2nd “God is so good” – listen for the bass end to move G, A B C – and you’re coming back to the C chord in the 2nd inversion.

Click button to hear audio.

DYHWIH_V-IA

Click button to hear audio.

DYHWIH_V-I-LH

  1. On the 3rd line “God is good” – listen for the bass end to move C D E F a quick F chord in the 1st inversion.
  2. “He’s so good” – bass end coming back down to C in the 2nd inversion.
  3. “To” – bass moving lower to G – notice the melody note is on the D putting the G chord in the Root position.
  4. Comes back home to C in the first inversion. The melody will move E D C and you’re home!

Click button to hear audio.

DYHWIH_I-IVC

Click button to hear audio.

DYHWIH_I-V-IB

Now I’m going to play THROUGH “God is So Good” with simple chords.

Click button to hear audio.

I hope you have enjoyed this lesson and will share it!  Remember this is just the I, IV and V–the foundation chord movements!   We’ll catch the moves to the vi and ii later!!!

Be blessed!

EASY RUT BUSTER – Inversions

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Do you find yourself using certain chords in just one position—no matter when you use that chord? I have found that to be a very common occurrence when working with students who already play.   I hear all the time “oh—I only can play that chord like this!”   Quite honestly that can hinder the smoothness of how you play and how you move from chord to chord—BUT IT CAN BE FIXED!   It’s up to you to do it!!!

Click here to go to the HELPS page and download and print out the MAJOR and MINOR  PDF chord files.  Take just 10-15 minutes EVERY DAY to play through several triads—ROOT position, First Inversion and Second Inversion—UP and DOWN the keyboard.

Here’s an easy order in which to learn them….

C  – G – F

Gm – Fm – Cm

D – Bb  – E

Dm – Am – Em

Bb – Eb – Ab

Bbm – Ebm – Abm

B – C#(Db) – F#(Gb)

Bm – C#m – F#m

Remember you don’t have to practice every triad in one day—this is a PROCESS. Don’t think of this as regression—it’s just “shoring up your music foundation!”

When you can play EVERY triad UP and DOWN the keyboard with speed with your eyes closed—you are thoroughly familiar with that triad! Try it—I PROMISE this works!!!!

Easter 2015

Easter is April 5!  What are you doing this year??   If you have a great song or program idea you’d like to share, please use the comments option for ideas related to this post.

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These can be older, tried and true songs or new material.  If you can include the composer or who it was recorded by, please do so.  If you have a link to a youtube video that’s great too!  Here are some of my favorites…

Forever – Kari Jobe
Jesus Messiah – Chris Tomlin
He’s Alive – Mark Condon
Glorious Day – Casting Crowns
I’m Amazed – Carol Cymbala
The Name of Jesus – Aaron Crabb
Crimson Blood – Pamela Rentzel (View/Listen Here)

Are You a “Dependable”?

What does it mean to be dependable?  To be reliable, trustworthy, loyal and dedicated!  God is looking for dependable and faithful people.

D – Dedicated to a purpose
What is your purpose?  Do you live to fulfill our purpose?
Always REMEMBER your purpose!

E – Encouraging to those less skilled
Even the man with the one talent could have doubled his talent if he
had not buried it in the ground!  Always be an encourager!

P – Patient and consistent
Stop looking for instant gratification; just keep plugging on toward your goal!

E – Eager to participate
Don’t wait to be begged before you become involved!
Be willing to contribute your reasonable service!

N – Noteworthy and significant to the cause of Christ
You may feel unworthy, but it is only what you do for Christ that will last!

D – Determined to reach your goal
Like the old song “I intend to reach the goal…that’s why I started!”

A – Authentic with no hidden agendas
Remember—whatever you do is not about you but for the glory of the Lord!  Be real!

B – Blessed to be a blessing
If you have been blessed, pay it forward by becoming a blessing to others!

L – Loyal to God and His Work
Being true to God and His people and Kingdom is rewarding!

E – Enthusiastic and ready to follow-through!
Don’t start out with a bang only to burn out within a few weeks!

Be A Mentor!

We all know kids who sit on church pews bored to death just waiting for the service to be over.  Would they be more interested in church if they could be involved in your music program?  Most children love music and their ability to memorize songs is sometimes amazing.  It is also interesting that the child who is exposed to a musical instrument will probably be able to play that instrument when they grow up. 

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Many small churches do not have enough praise singers, bass players, drummers, and keyboard or organ players.  Start a mentoring program in your church NOW.  Teach the children while they are young and allow them to get involved early in Sunday School, Children’s Church or Youth Ministry.  By allowing a child to participate, you are developing a leader.  It also encourages faithfulness because that child will not want to miss a service!PrestleyandMom

I encourage my students to have a background of note reading and ear training.  This will allow them to “communicate” in the musical world without having to apologize “oh I just play by ear.”  Come on—it’s not rocket science!  Note lessons should be supplemented by ear lessons in order to be proficient in a Pentecostal worship service.  Quite honestly, musicians who only can play just by note or just by ear are equally handicapped!

Learning to sing in harmony is another thing that usually just doesn’t “happen” but can be taught.  Ask your adults who are proficient in singing harmonies to mentor a young person. Let the young lady who wants to sing alto, sit next to an alto in service.  If you have someone who can teach hearing and singing intervals, that is also helpful.

Remember, it doesn’t take long for a child to become a teenager and a teenager to become a young adult.  This cycle will occur whether or not they are learning music and developing leadership skills!  Why not tap into hidden talent and allow it to become a blessing to your congregation!