00:00 - Intro 00:48 - How Most Students Learn Chords 02:03 - Learn Chords by Function 02:17 - Step 1: Start with a Major Scale 02:39 - Step 2: Stack 2 Third Intervals on Each Note 04:01 - Pop Chord Progressions 04:22 - Diatonic Chords 04:39 - Memorize the Formula 05:25 - Chord Game 05:59 - Step 3: Assign the Chord Quality 06:51 - How to Practice 08:29 - Conclusion
First time in my 55 Years of musical "career", that I have learned the diatonic scale! Wooow...I feel real motivated! Always make music without musical theory, but I feel that I am sort of stuck...So I searched the net to learn musical theory, and here I am....I wish a year of hard practicing had gone by already! Your video inspired me to make this important step!
One could argue that internalizing triads (and chords) BOTH ways is important. How they are constructed from intervals AND how they are built diatonically off a certain scale (major, melodic minor, 6-th diminished, etc).
Here is my take on learning chords/voicings: Practicing with the Circle of 5ths/4ths or chromatically Pros: Systematic Learning: Helps you understand the relationships between chords and keys. Technical Proficiency: Builds finger strength and dexterity through repetition. Foundation: Provides a solid theoretical foundation. Cons: Monotony: Can become tedious and less motivating over time. Lack of Context: May not always show how chords function within a musical piece. Learning Chords via Songs Pros: Contextual Learning: Shows how chords are used in real music, making it easier to understand their function. Engagement: Playing songs you enjoy can make practice more fun and motivating resulting in a deeper connection to what is played. Musicality: Helps develop a sense of timing, rhythm, and musical expression. Cons: Complexity: Some songs might be too challenging for beginners. Inconsistency: May not cover all chords or progressions systematically. What are your thoughts @jonny?
I like your method witch I consider the best I find on the web because you go depth in each learning opposite of a lot of method who pretend avoid work and difficulty. No progress without work. thank you for your site very well organized.
I find it interesting that some people who know how to read music 🎵 cannot play a basic song 🎶 without the sheet music in front of them. And they play far better than I do. My first guitar teacher taught me chord progressions in each key where I don’t need sheet music for most songs to play. When I learned where middle C was on the piano 🎹 I could play your basic songs. It’s hard to play with someone who took piano lessons. Why don’t they not teach you chord progressions?
The thing is, watching all of these adhoc videos su just as this you will learn the piano at such a snail pace that you just won't bother in the end. This is how I learnt my chords but you need a more structured approach to go beyond this. And sometimes watching someone playing great tunes can add to frustration cos. One must find a structured approach otherwise you will be going round in circles!
I finally got an in person teacher. My progress has been so much faster. What I was missing, was a structured learning plan, as you have pointed out. I stumbled across this video after I was asked to memorize the 12 major and minor chord.s. Very helpful information as a supplement to my in person learning. I will check out this instructor’s site.
Thank you so much..I am your new subscriber from the province of Isabela, Cagayan Valley, Philippines. I am a beginner in playing piano. I hope and pray that I will be able to learn a lot from your lesson. God bless
This is brilliant lesson! I love practicing it. Im new to piano. I don't know if i am missing something, or there is a mistake on every 3rd chord in fingering on left hand in lesson sheet. First two are 1, 3, 5, which is fine and then 5, 2, 1?
I'm like classical piano been playing a long time, but never got the theory thing. So I'm thinking to instantly recognize chords will help me learn a piece faster and memorize it better. Do you have a program just for learning chords faster?
I imagine this method works alright if you know your stuff. For an absolute newbie like myself, no idea what a diminished chord is, or any of those other terms apart from major & minor. The original way appears easier to a beginner like myself.
In actual facts, it's a way of looking at things and each look may bring something that suits us. I find your approach very formative since you practice chords while practicing scales since chords are a scale from which some notes have been taken away. Personnally, because I haven't leart it as a second nature, to find which notes belong to a scale, i've learnt the "mathematical progression" of that scale and I apply it to my notational system : first note of the scale is 0, second is 0.5 and so on until 5.5. I know for eg that a major scale is 0 1 2 2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 so to find what A major scale is I just have to follow the pattern. To that I have learnt a number notation of the notes : C is 0 Csharp is 0.5 etc. It was easier for me for the counting to chose C =0 instead of c=1. because i am used to think lets say A / la, which don't represent a number, and saying is the sixth, is artificial and has nothing mathematical, hence useless to me when reproducing a pattern Major chord 0 2 3.5 If I want to know which notes in Bmajor, I think B = 5.5 , and I add 2 w
Wow, realy inspiring way to use the numbers. Maybe with only adjustion: in a common music notation the notes start with 1. And instand of 1.5 for C# I would use 1#. Well, I'll try and report about my experience. :)
Self taught for 1 year, went for first piano lesson the other day (£20) Learnt more about piano for free than i would have with that teacher Thanks for saving future me lots of monies 😹
Wouldn’t it be easier to just learn the learn chord shape for each chord quality starting from C? Like learn the pattern for Minor Chords with ud, SDU, SD, 2ud, SD, ul, dl? Where ud =up, then down; SDU = Super down, then Super up; 2ud = 2 iterations of up, then down ul = up-left dl = down-left up = white (w) - black (b) - white down = bwb Super down = www Super up = bbb up-left = bbw down-left = wwb
Love your tutorials - on that note (no pun intended) you're skipping past the effectiveness in learning the entire major scale, ie D major. Essentially, you're just playing the major/minor chords that include white keys only, and instead bypassing any chords that involve black keys.
You know what makes it so hard?,its all the talk,just shut-up and play the chords,no dam confusing talk and you will play way faster. you will trust me, just go practice you hitting the chords!
That sounds like a lot of work.. but I'm on my way.. I got all the theory down.. the book that I use when I was in high school, that my friend had was the same book that my mom had from her high School 1956... My friend's book was 1977.. exactly the same book I couldn't believe it... And I went through that book just like a ringing a bell.. and that was the beginning of my theory journey... Basically you have to be able to go do re mi fa so la ti doe in your mind, and then you can find the scale. But all you really need to do is the 145 chords.. cause after all it's all about the blues.. and then you used the pentatonic scale.. for Allman Brothers in Lynyrd Skynyrd kind of stuff
00:00 - Intro
00:48 - How Most Students Learn Chords
02:03 - Learn Chords by Function
02:17 - Step 1: Start with a Major Scale
02:39 - Step 2: Stack 2 Third Intervals on Each Note
04:01 - Pop Chord Progressions
04:22 - Diatonic Chords
04:39 - Memorize the Formula
05:25 - Chord Game
05:59 - Step 3: Assign the Chord Quality
06:51 - How to Practice
08:29 - Conclusion
First time in my 55 Years of musical "career", that I have learned the diatonic scale! Wooow...I feel real motivated! Always make music without musical theory, but I feel that I am sort of stuck...So I searched the net to learn musical theory, and here I am....I wish a year of hard practicing had gone by already! Your video inspired me to make this important step!
A good piano teacher could have shown you a diatonic scale in a few seconds, not 55 years!
@@catherinecarella2928 You are 1000 percent right!
One could argue that internalizing triads (and chords) BOTH ways is important. How they are constructed from intervals AND how they are built diatonically off a certain scale (major, melodic minor, 6-th diminished, etc).
Agree! Rounder understanding
Here is my take on learning chords/voicings:
Practicing with the Circle of 5ths/4ths or chromatically
Pros:
Systematic Learning: Helps you understand the relationships between chords and keys.
Technical Proficiency: Builds finger strength and dexterity through repetition.
Foundation: Provides a solid theoretical foundation.
Cons:
Monotony: Can become tedious and less motivating over time.
Lack of Context: May not always show how chords function within a musical piece.
Learning Chords via Songs
Pros:
Contextual Learning: Shows how chords are used in real music, making it easier to understand their function.
Engagement: Playing songs you enjoy can make practice more fun and motivating resulting in a deeper connection to what is played.
Musicality: Helps develop a sense of timing, rhythm, and musical expression.
Cons:
Complexity: Some songs might be too challenging for beginners.
Inconsistency: May not cover all chords or progressions systematically.
What are your thoughts @jonny?
This is excellent! Also analyzing the chords in a song is a good practice. Thanks for sharing this in-depth analysis.
I like your method witch I consider the best I find on the web because you go depth in each learning opposite of a lot of method who pretend avoid work and difficulty. No progress without work. thank you for your site very well organized.
Cool lesson to put things into perspective for newbies like me.
Thank you for this ❤
Thank you sooooo much for this video! So helpful and something to work on!
It's pretty self-evident that this a superior method. I am pretty surprised if there is somebody who has not figured out this yet :)
I find it interesting that some people who know how to read music 🎵 cannot play a basic song 🎶 without the sheet music in front of them. And they play far better than I do. My first guitar teacher taught me chord progressions in each key where I don’t need sheet music for most songs to play. When I learned where middle C was on the piano 🎹 I could play your basic songs. It’s hard to play with someone who took piano lessons. Why don’t they not teach you chord progressions?
The thing is, watching all of these adhoc videos su just as this you will learn the piano at such a snail pace that you just won't bother in the end. This is how I learnt my chords but you need a more structured approach to go beyond this. And sometimes watching someone playing great tunes can add to frustration cos. One must find a structured approach otherwise you will be going round in circles!
I finally got an in person teacher. My progress has been so much faster. What I was missing, was a structured learning plan, as you have pointed out. I stumbled across this video after I was asked to memorize the 12 major and minor chord.s. Very helpful information as a supplement to my in person learning. I will check out this instructor’s site.
Thank you so much..I am your new subscriber from the province of Isabela, Cagayan Valley, Philippines. I am a beginner in playing piano. I hope and pray that I will be able to learn a lot from your lesson. God bless
This guy is nice and beyond brilliant
Hello Jonny...Great information! Thanks much!
Thank you, Sir!
You're welcome!
That was very Educational THANKS....I LIKE!!!
Very helpfull, thank you!
Any information helps to understand better.👌😎
This is brilliant lesson! I love practicing it. Im new to piano. I don't know if i am missing something, or there is a mistake on every 3rd chord in fingering on left hand in lesson sheet. First two are 1, 3, 5, which is fine and then 5, 2, 1?
Very useful! I thought i didn't need the video until I have started to watch it :)
So glad it was useful! Thanks!
I really enjoyed the lesson
I'm like classical piano been playing a long time, but never got the theory thing. So I'm thinking to instantly recognize chords will help me learn a piece faster and memorize it better. Do you have a program just for learning chords faster?
Thanks Johnny I really like how you explain the chords
All cours tutoriels are so wonderful
Hi Jonny - what is the model of Yamaha keyboard you are using? Thanks
Merci for this.
Thanks for this
Thanks Master 🙏🙏🙏
Incredible
Thank you.
I imagine this method works alright if you know your stuff. For an absolute newbie like myself, no idea what a diminished chord is, or any of those other terms apart from major & minor. The original way appears easier to a beginner like myself.
You can learn about these chords here: pianowithjonny.com/resources/
Thanks again Johnny
Yes sir. New subscriber here. Taking you up on this three month journey.
In actual facts, it's a way of looking at things and each look may bring something that suits us.
I find your approach very formative since you practice chords while practicing scales since chords are a scale from which some notes have been taken away.
Personnally, because I haven't leart it as a second nature, to find which notes belong to a scale, i've learnt the "mathematical progression" of that scale and I apply it to my notational system : first note of the scale is 0, second is 0.5 and so on until 5.5.
I know for eg that a major scale is 0 1 2 2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 so to find what A major scale is I just have to follow the pattern.
To that I have learnt a number notation of the notes : C is 0 Csharp is 0.5 etc.
It was easier for me for the counting to chose C =0 instead of c=1. because i am used to think lets say A / la, which don't represent a number, and saying is the sixth, is artificial and has nothing mathematical, hence useless to me when reproducing a pattern
Major chord 0 2 3.5 If I want to know which notes in Bmajor, I think B = 5.5 , and I add 2 w
Wow, realy inspiring way to use the numbers. Maybe with only adjustion: in a common music notation the notes start with 1. And instand of 1.5 for C# I would use 1#. Well, I'll try and report about my experience. :)
I liked what you said. I'm going to get me a keyboard. I know the notes.. but that's about it. Any suggestions?
Great video! This is a really effective way to learn the chords within a key!
can explain how you can up with this method
I could not source the link downloading for the lesson sheet music?
Self taught for 1 year, went for first piano lesson the other day (£20)
Learnt more about piano for free than i would have with that teacher
Thanks for saving future me lots of monies 😹
Sir Johnny I am interested in your chords and I want to learn more from you, please help me.
Awesome.
Wouldn’t it be easier to just learn the learn chord shape for each chord quality starting from C? Like learn the pattern for Minor Chords with ud, SDU, SD, 2ud, SD, ul, dl?
Where
ud =up, then down;
SDU = Super down, then Super up;
2ud = 2 iterations of up, then down
ul = up-left
dl = down-left
up = white (w) - black (b) - white
down = bwb
Super down = www
Super up = bbb
up-left = bbw
down-left = wwb
Is this the same as the number system?
I just got an ad for piano with johnny on a piano with johnny video
Hi, is there a reason why you called the key DB and not C#?
no reason, they're both correct.just that most people prefer to name them in flats than sharps
Tutorial on how to play like the pianist Anomalie ?
Learned
Wow....thank you!
I teach chords by color. Ex. C, F and G are all white. Eb, Ab, and Db are black white black.
Yay jonny
Chords are best learned as shapes.
Thank goodness he stopped doing the "shorts."
👏👏👏👏
Uh this is fine if you know your scales. It probably works better on inversions
Does the legend reply?
🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Love your tutorials - on that note (no pun intended) you're skipping past the effectiveness in learning the entire major scale, ie D major. Essentially, you're just playing the major/minor chords that include white keys only, and instead bypassing any chords that involve black keys.
Not the video i thought it was ._.
You know what makes it so hard?,its all the talk,just shut-up and play the chords,no dam confusing talk and you will play way faster. you will trust me, just go practice you hitting the chords!
no
That sounds like a lot of work.. but I'm on my way.. I got all the theory down.. the book that I use when I was in high school, that my friend had was the same book that my mom had from her high School 1956... My friend's book was 1977.. exactly the same book I couldn't believe it... And I went through that book just like a ringing a bell.. and that was the beginning of my theory journey... Basically you have to be able to go do re mi fa so la ti doe in your mind, and then you can find the scale. But all you really need to do is the 145 chords.. cause after all it's all about the blues.. and then you used the pentatonic scale.. for Allman Brothers in Lynyrd Skynyrd kind of stuff
That sounds like a great theory book!
I've never heard of anyone learning chords by counting half steps. Sorry Jonny, this is a ridiculous assumption.
uhhhh i have
Sorry, I have also. It’s called basic theory.
Intervals are what makes a chord….
If it is that easy then it is not worth learning.
The basics are easy but application is what makes it difficult. Applying it to all scales and learning to do so quickly isn't such an easy feat
I envy those that it comes natural to. I’m just a basic block player. Guitar is my main instrument, but I can see the notes easier on the piano.
Thank you