Learn Piano - Learn How to Play the Piano OnlineLearn piano - page 1.Welcome to part 6 of our free piano lessons. In this piano lesson we shall take a look at three chords in the key of C, namely, the C major chord, the F major chord and the G major chord. We shall also learn about the 3/4 time signature. A chord is three or more notes played simultaneously. In music theory, a major chord is a chord having a root, a major third, and a perfect fifth. When a chord has these three notes alone, it is called a major triad. Learn Piano Online - C MAJOR CHORD The C major chord comprises of three notes, C E and G. Go to your keyboard or piano and practice playing a C Chord. Be sure that your fingers are nicely curved as mentioned in our first lesson. For the left hand, the 5th finger plays C, the 3rd finger plays E and the 1st finger plays G. For the right hand, the 1st finger plays C, the 3rd finger plays E and the 5th finger plays G. Here's an example of a C Major chord on the treble clef in different inversions.
Let's now take a look at the F major chord. The F major chord comprises of three notes, F, A and C. The C Major chord is frequently followed by the F major chord and vice versa. Practice going back and forth between the C major chord and the F major chord. For the right hand, the 1st finger plays C in both chords. The 3rd finger moves up to F and the 5th finger moves up to A to form the F chord. Here's a picture showing the notes of the F chord on piano:
The G major chord comprises of three notes, G, B and D. Here's an example of the G chord on the treble clef:
Learn Piano - Chord Inversions There are several ways to hold these chords. For instance for a C chord, instead of playing in the order of C, E and G, one may play E, G and C or G, C and E. This will all become clearer as our piano lessons progress. Many songs can be played using only these three chords, C, F and G. 3/4 Time Signature In a previous lesson we took a look at the 4/4 time signature. Second in popularity to the 4/4 time signature is the 3/4 time signature. This often used time signature gives you a waltz feel. 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3... The 3 means 3 beats to each measure and the 4 means a quarter note gets one beat. Here's an example of a 3/4 time signature:
Dotted notes A dotted note is a note with a small dot written after it. The dot increases the duration of the basic note by half of its original value. If the basic note lasts 2 beats, the corresponding dotted note lasts 3 beats. So while one would count two beats for a half note, if it is dotted one would have to count three beats. A quarter note gets one beat but a dotted quarter note would last a beat and a half. Tied notes A tie is a curved line connecting the heads of two notes of the same pitch, indicating that they are to be played as a single note with a duration equal to the sum of the individual notes' note values. In some cases one might tie two notes which could be written with a single note value, such as a half note tied to a quarter note (the same length as a dotted half note). The key is held down for the combined values of both notes. Tied notes and dotted notes - Example 1
Click here for my favorite How to Play Piano course. If you want to learn piano the easy way, and not have to endure technical, traditional, boring stuff, I recommend this to you. Free Piano Lessons - Page One. Online Piano Lessons - Page Two. Free Online Lessons (Piano) - Page Three. Beginner Piano Lessons - Page Four. New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
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