In this lesson we will learn a chord progression composed of three open chords and one bar chord (B minor). For this last chord it is essential that you know the root notes on E string.
Schenkerian analysis suggests that this chord represents a secondary dominant.
B Minor
B minor chord is an easy chord to play. Only three fingers are needed on the fretboard to strum with maximum force; its muted low E string allows full power strumming. Furthermore, its flatted fifth allows it to stay in tune without losing sound quality; B minor is the relative minor of D Major since both key signatures feature two sharps (versus five in D major’s case). Thus songs written with B minor will produce slightly different sounds than ones composed using D major.
Similar to any minor scale, finding its relative major is accomplished by beginning at its root note and moving it three half steps higher on the keyboard. This method enables piano players to switch chords from key to key without altering their sound – an especially beneficial technique for novice pianists as this prevents them from having to learn each new set of chords from scratch.
G Major
G Major is an often-utilized key in rock music and other genres, due to the chords it supports being diatonic to G major scale and providing songs with harmonic resonance.
This scale contains G, A, B, C, D and E as its notes; one sharp (F#).
Start playing G with your pinky finger on the left hand, followed by A and B from each ring finger and middle finger respectively. Play C on your third finger by placing it under your thumb; finally use your index finger to cover both thumbs for D & F# notes.
Try out these chords with a backing track and practice coming up with melodic ideas. Once comfortable, utilize Skoove’s real-time feedback system to improve your practice and see where there may be room for improvement next time! Signing up is free – good luck practicing!
D Major
D Major is one of the most frequently utilized keys in chord progressions and melodies, making it easy to identify. You can recognize this key if chords in a song only use chords from this table without containing any accidentals (flats or sharps) which would alter note names.
The open D chord is an effective starting point in this key and can be played on the bass strings using fingers two and three. If your ring finger has sufficient strength, fret all four strings at once for an effortless performance.
The D major sixth chord is another closed voicing of this chord that requires strength and flexibility to play cleanly, but can sound great as part of a sequence with other D major seventh chords. Based on an open C chord but moving up two frets, this shape requires extra strength and flexibility in reaching its lowest D note. Like all major scales, this one contains seven notes known as scale degrees: tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant dominant submediant leading note/tone etc.
A Major
Music theory recognizes an intricate relationship between major and minor scales and chords or triads, where scales represent tonic tonic subdominant tones of scales correspond with chords; their leading tone also helps identify major from minor modes.
Changes to A Major chord IV often involve making its minor variant, IV, more prominent by altering to its melodic pull toward fifth in dominant position.
Understanding the relationship between a major key and its relative minor can be confusing. You might use the same formula for F Minor but its key signature will differ due to one flat (Bb). When calculating this key, however, remember that its order of flats reverses; starting from its first flat in terms of number of flats you’ll find natural notes instead of sharps.