I can't believe how fantastic this woman is. She is an absolutely amazing teacher. Completely knows how to connect with other human beings to teach music in a way I've never seen before. She's a gift from God!
This lady is nothing less than awesome. I stumbled upon her while researching the 16251 progression. Talk about getting more than what you asked for! I wish I could find an instructor like Mrs. Ramirez in my hometown.
Roman numerals are used to designate chords instead of numbers because Roman numerals can be written in both lower case and upper case form to ease distinction between the minor chords and the major chords of a scale, or key. For example, C major scale chords would be arranged or categorized as: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 C D E F G A B Maj min min Maj Maj min min*dim But using roman numerals we get better distinction: I ii iii IV V vi vii*dim C D E F G A B Maj min min Maj Maj min min*dim I ii iii IV V vi vii*dim C D E F G A B*dim E - G - B - D G - B - D - F Upper case Roman numerals being Major chords and lower case Roman numerals being minor chords. If I see a iii chord and a V chord it’s immediately understood that I have a minor chord and a Major chord, respectively. But if I’m given those very same chords written numerically as a 3 chord and a 5 chord I’ll find it impossible to tell which is the minor chord and which is the Major chord unless I’m very familiar with the seven degrees of a scale that designate the chords of that scale. Hope this doesn’t confuse and rather helps and clarifies the reason for and use of Roman numerals instead of numbers for chord degrees of a scale for those who are curious, or confused.
Also isn't that to distinguish chords from harmony? For example, you can say V7 with the 7 in superscript. We know that it's not the VII chord, it's a 7th interval from the root note (actually a minor 7th). If someone were to just write "IN THE KEY OF C 1, 3, 5" on a chalk board and ask me what that was I would say it was a C major chord, not a chord I, iii, V progression.
@@CaseyVan For a beginner, it’s easier to see and know that, I iii V represents a major, minor, major chord progression due to the large and small letters, or Roman numerals, respectively. But for that same beginner, although the numbers 1, 3, 5 might represent the 1 3 5 chord progression of the C major scale to them, that person, being new to the game, may forget and become confused that the progression follows the major, minor, major pattern, respectively, because there’s no distinction made through the use of numbers. A number is just a number, sort of speak. But with Roman numerals, they’re large and small letters so that an upper case letter represents a “major” chord and a lower case letter represents a “minor” chord. And that makes life a whole lot easier! The whole idea is to avoid confusion and ease operation. When you’re new to it, if you saw 1 3 5, you’ll be hard pressed to know which are the major chords and which are the minor chord in the progression. Whereas with, I iii V it’s almost immediately clear that you have a major, minor, major chord progression because you have an upper case, lower case, upper case letter progression, respectively. Makes life simple!
Also, in order to understand it, you need to be comfortable with: 1. Major chord 2. Minor chord 3. Scale (specifically Major Scales) 4. Key 5. Intervals (specifically semitones and tones)
You are an absolute wizard to have worked out the ground rules of playing music without score. Wished I watched your a video decades ago. This would have saved me over a half century of struggling. Thank you from glued reader of printed music.
you're kidding man , theres nothing new here other than it being very clearly explained on a yt vid all very available in books , especially those on jazz theory
The 5th is 50% higher in frequency (A=440hz E=660hz) which is why it sounds good to the ear. (only thing that sounds better or more in sync or in harmony- is an octave which 100% higher). What is called the 4th can be thought of as a minus 5th as it also has a 50% relationship to the tonic (F is the 5th below C just as G is the 5th above C).
I have played guitar for many years but I learned to play by ear. I have never understood music theory and i have always wanted to know more about music theory when i stumbled onto Karen's lessons. I have really enjoyed her lessons . Karen has a beautiful personality and it shows that she really enjoys teaching. Thank you so much for these wonderful lessons Karen they have brought me a great deal of enjoyment. Most sincerely, George Nourse Caldwell, Idaho
Dear Karen, I have tried for years to play piano. Can't read music, I am slow my nature. But after following your lessons, I can now play and truly enjoy it. Thank you so very much for your help. I took lessons for a year and still couldn't play. Now I play with groups that come to out town and play along with them. Again, Thank you so very much. Glenn Nolan
AMAZING!! I’ve known that music could be played with numbers for years, but never could find anyone to teach me about it.. So clear and easy to understand. Thank you so much.
Hey! I love the way you teach......Your my kind of teacher.......I never had lessons, but When I was 17, I bought my first organ and started playing around with it, and within a month I was playing in church and loving every minute of it....the way you teach is somewhat how I learned to play.....I did teach myself how to read some notes just so I could learn the melody of a song....but sad to say, I haven’t sat down to an organ for 26 yrs....I do miss it.......
interesting points ,if anyone else needs to find out about best piano courses try EasyPianoLessons5.blogspot.com Ive heard some interesting things about it and my work buddy got great results with it.
I don't know how is that in your countries, but at least in Poland they don't teach us harmony in public music schools, only classic music and playing notes. It's horrible, because knowing the mathematics of harmony would give the musicians so much power from their early years of learning :( at least we have UA-cam. Thank you!
Very interesting post. So: you are saying.... that in Poland, they teach only what has been written.... but with knowing harmony you can write and play new music.... is this correct?
aha ! music nazis ! so desperate for classical robots , yes the oppression of expression and individual free thinking for fear of having people play the much feared jazz or even the venomously despised rock n roll
In China neither. I'm in my 30s and am re-studying music theory for playing guitar.I find this video so helpful and regret having the pathetic music lessons I had when I was a kid.
I feel like I know her personally. She has the GIFT of sharing. She does wonders for the UA-cam Community. Thanks Karen and whoever posted all of the videos. God Bless!
To people complaining, I think this is a simple course, following conventions and rule of thumb for learning musicians. Its not the be all end all of music theory and I dont think its supposed to be.
The reason people complain about the basics is because they think that they know more than what they actually know. If they knew as much as they thought they knew, they would be more humble and not complain. The knowledgeable never complain about hearing the basics because every so often, they are reminded of something they forgot. He who complains about the basics of his craft, will be too limited to perfect his craft.
Not all musicians can be a music teacher and not all music teacher can be a good musician but you seem to have the both qualities...a professional musicians and a professional music teacher. congratulations
Oh Karen you are so gifted! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us, youtubers! I'm learning so much, I thought I would never be able to learn because I can't afford private lessons and at this season of my life, so crazy busy( 4 children, husband, money issues, fatigue etc) It's been a blessing to come to your channel and feel I can achieve this dream of mine at my own pace. May the Lord bless you all.
The dominant chord V is so important because the 5 note of the scale that is one octave higher has a harmonic resonant frequency to the 1 note of the chord. That is, when you strike middle C, the G string in the next higher octave also vibrates. So you can see now why it seems "natural" to play I-V-I.
this channel is great,the information is so deep,ave been following this tutorials for about one month or so and I cant lie ave improved alot with the piano,Probably one of the best PIANO teachers that ave come across on the internet.GOD BLESS you for the great work you are doing,it really helps alot
Oh My God, through all my learning & studies, you have just demystified this fog that I have never seem to get my head around, and in part 2 I finally can understand the circle of fifths. Thanks for such a logical and simplistic explanation.
This is in my opinion a good lesson for entry level chord structures. But don't get it confused with "rules." This is a great tool and teaches many fundamentals. The sky is the limit with chord structures, don't confuse this for rules. I am pretty sure the teacher doesn't mean this to be a rule book, but more of a guide to help young students easily navigate chords. These are not the only directions chords can go. 4-6 is often a sequence that happens and there are more, but this is helpful for beginners none-the-less.
already said but, this is a basic class and done very well, end of story. surprising how many negatives comments for someone who obviously really cares about what she does...fantastic video...thank you...
the reason they use roman numerals is so you can denote weather or not it is major or minor. .the minor chords of the scale are usually shown in lowercase roman numerals. I ii III IV V vi VII
+Jack Anderson also to tell the difference between the chord and the degree of the scale for example V7 - which is the fifth Chord with the 7th degree of the scale - Which would be 57, which could be confusing potentially.
I can tell you what I understood. The key means the scale that the piece is in. eg. written in C, notes of C major scale, ie. C D E F G A B C So, when they're forming major triad chords (3 notes, I, IV, V), they have to change the second note of the triad, to fit in the scale. *There are no sharps in C*. They change the second tone by bringing it down one semitone. eg. D major triad - D, F#, A F# isn't in C major scale, hence, we bring it down one semitone to F.
Song at 1:10 -- Heart and Soul. Did you know that Hoagy Carmichael wrote the music? I've been playing jazz piano for over 50 years and I just discovered that recently. And, it has a bridge -- I never knew that. Yes, that 1-6-2-5-1 is very common.
Why I didn't find your videos before? I must say you have made everything so easy and understandable!! Your videos beat all the garbage out there on YoutTube. Thank you so much for helping us out.
Hi Denzil Just a small point on what a diminished chord is. There are only three diminished chords on the keyboard. These are C - C# - and D. All other standard diminished chords are inversions of these - that is to say, playing the same 4 notes but starting on a different note. C diminished is C - Eb - Gb - A. Root. 1st inversion. 2nd inversion and 3rd inversion. An easy way to remember is in - C for example : Root (C) minor 3rd (Eb) flat 5 (Gb) and the 6th. Simples!! Flat 5 is sometimes written -5. Just to quickly look at the others...C# diminished is Root (C#) minor 3rd (E) flat 5 (G) and the 6th (A#) D diminished is Root (D) minor 3rd (F) flat 5 (Ab) and the 6th (B). And now you are back where you started except you start on an Eb using the same 4 notes. There are a number of variations in diminished chords but this is a simple way to start learning all the basic diminished chords. And Bill, you are not really stupid... jayceemusic . co .uk
long time didn't follow the session , since that time my music theory improved a lot . always yours teaching were too advanced to me . lets see how good student l'm now ? always enjoy your class !!!!
A really good explanation for the chords and I'm still working on just having fun with learning and playing without thinking because I'm still new and I'm having a good time with all this wonderful information Thank you Karen!
Brilliant lady. I have 3 of the 4 semesters required in music theory to hold a degree in music - darn close to holding a degree in music. I hold a minor in music. And with that, nobody explained it this way.
I've been playing keyboard by ear all my 45 years, and have just started trying to learn theory. Even if this lesson is not 100% accurate - - as I suspect it's not - - it seems like a good, mostly followable introduction into theory. As long as I take notes, flag the questionable parts, and don't get too bogged down in "why this, why that?"
It is 100% accurate - as far as rules of harmony. Without the knowledge to know better - why would you doubt? Knowing music theory give you the tools to be intentional and make musical choices based on knowledge (as well as your ear.) Great composers and improvisors are steeped in this knowledge. Just like great writers/communicators have deep knowledge & command of their language. The great innovators knew these rules first and then broke them with intention and creativity.
She is talking to folks who are betting the basics, and sometimes it is better to be understood than to be totally accurate from the start. Start out with complex stuff, and you discourage the newbie.
Its pretty accurate like how ignorant do you have to be to doubt that when dont know anything about it like I'm in highschool and know a good bit of theory even if i didnt i wouldn't be ignorant enough to doubt what she said just because you dont understand something doesnt mean its wrong
exactly! lol half way through i said wow...this is how i got lost years ago in college....taking real private piano lessons with a teacher and learning the circle of fifths one key at a time is the real way to understand this. talk will only confuse the hell out you!
@TheElle88 This is useful to know because in any one of the other 12 scales, say scale of the key of D for example, (D,e,f#,G,A,b,c#,D) if you were to use the first, fourth, and fifth notes of the scale (D,G,A), as roots and use the corresponding 3rd and 5th of the D-major scale, then each of the 3 roots and its 3rd and 5th will be major chords. In the key of D: [D,f#, a] is a D-major chord, [G,b,d] is a G-major chord, and [A,c#,D] is an A-major chord.
There are also 4 note scales(5 if you include the octave)pentatonic scales,six note scales 7-12note scales13 note if you add the octave.Scales don't have a fixed number of notes unless you choose or invent one with a certain number of notes.The Chromatic Scale includes all the notes from root to octave.C to C1 including C1.This is 13 notes.12 are usually included since the C1 for example is implicit.
Listen to me!,...Thank you follow making the video. I have been trying for years to map out music simply by ear. You made it very simple to understand. game changer...blessings
Hi , just looking through all the past posts ,going back years ,I lot of people have said thay cart see the board, and the formula for the cords, I'm wondering why Karen has never said what is it's,, does she or anyone monitor this page ? Still she has help 100s of people inc myself over the years ,, she is a good teacher ,,
I like this gal a lot. Great personality. If my piano teacher would have been her when I was 5 I might have stuck with lessons. Mine was so stuffy that I dropped out and learned guitar, steel guitar , banjo, mandolin and harmonicas by ear. I didn't stick with my lessons, so Iguess I will never amount to nothing. I didn't learn about the circle till I was fourty five.
Ms. Ramirez, As I understand it, notes of a scale are numbered with 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 while Chords use Roman Numerals for a very good reason. If I write 1-6-2-5-1, those notes are supposed to be played as written, "C-A-D-G-C". But if I write -I-VI-II-V-I, I know I am supposed to play those chords.
Had a guitar workshop instructor that started the workshop by writing 4736251 on the board. WOW.... after getting over that it was my ex-girlfriends telephone number, he went on to talk about the circle of 4th's/5th's and how to use it in Jazz/Blues songs. Then, we covered one or two different songs each day that demonstrated how to use it.... Then, the next year's workshop covered the Grateful Dead and how often they used this. Way cool.
Nice video, but I do have to disagree with the last part where she lists what chord goes to what chord. It music were that simple all music would sound the same. For example, the 5 chord doesn't have to go to 1 - it can also go to 6, then 6 can go 4, then to 5, and finally 1. At the end of the day, it's best to use your ear to determine what sounds good and not be limited by a formula.
Roy Maya yeah, that’s true, and 1,5,6m,4 is another really standard one. I think based on her other videos she’s trying to get you to play well known songs without music...so rules of thumb to play well known songs quickly by ear. So a list of educated guesses
Ah, yes, 5 can go to 6 because we learned in college that one can interchange the 6 and the 1. That is why many a song will start with 6 rather than the tonic.
The 1-6-2-5 (heart and soul, blue moon) progression repeated over and over is common, but the 2-5-1 progression (7ths. ) is EVERYWHERE in the classic American songbook.
Key and scale do not mean the same thing. A scale is defined by its intervals. Play that sequence of intervals beginning on A gives you the key A major, beginning on D gives you D major, etc. You can play a major scale in any major key, a minor scale in any minor key.
Another important chord progression, that goes with pretty much every pop song ever, is 1-5-6-4-1. For an example check out the Axis of Awesome's 4 chord song
This is the "oldies but goodies" sequence. Nearly every doowop song from the 50's used these chords for the verse of the song: C, Am, F, G (and then C to start again).
@TheElle88 If you were to build major chords using the the first, fourth, and fifth note of the C-scale (C,d,e,F,G,a,b,c) as the root and only notes from the C scale as the 3rd and 5th of each respective major chords, they would all be major chords. That is, in the C-scale, if you use C as the root, the corresponding third and fifth note needs to be "e" and "g". If you use F as root, then count up 3 use A as the third, up five and use C as fifth. In the key of C, both will be major chords.
The first sequence she played at 0:57 was: 1 - 6 - 4 - 5 So she contradicts herself that 6 goes into 2. Then afterwards she changed her play to: 1 - 6 - 2 - 5
The 4 chord and 2 chord is interchangable. It really depends on the musician which tone you want to portray. In essence, the 2 chord and 4 chord is similar as they share the same 2 notes. For reference: Cmaj scale 2 chord = D F A 4 chord = F A C The shared notes are F and A. Therefore, you can substitute these notes in your progression.
@@JS45678 well yea I understand... But if you play live music by ear you have to really know how to play ...where I come from at concerts they sing and you have to figure it out on the way .....well it all depends on what u plan to do, can get away on composing but its worth it.
This is how you teach. So encouraging and supportive and direct.
I can't believe how fantastic this woman is. She is an absolutely amazing teacher. Completely knows how to connect with other human beings to teach music in a way I've never seen before. She's a gift from God!
This lady is nothing less than awesome. I stumbled upon her while researching the 16251 progression. Talk about getting more than what you asked for! I wish I could find an instructor like Mrs. Ramirez in my hometown.
Roman numerals are used to designate chords instead of numbers because Roman numerals can be written in both lower case and upper case form to ease distinction between the minor chords and the major chords of a scale, or key.
For example, C major scale chords would be arranged or categorized as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
C D E F G A B
Maj min min Maj Maj min min*dim
But using roman numerals we get better distinction:
I ii iii IV V vi vii*dim
C D E F G A B
Maj min min Maj Maj min min*dim
I ii iii IV V vi vii*dim
C D E F G A B*dim
E - G - B - D
G - B - D - F
Upper case Roman numerals being Major chords and lower case Roman numerals being minor chords. If I see a iii chord and a V chord it’s immediately understood that I have a minor chord and a Major chord, respectively. But if I’m given those very same chords written numerically as a 3 chord and a 5 chord I’ll find it impossible to tell which is the minor chord and which is the Major chord unless I’m very familiar with the seven degrees of a scale that designate the chords of that scale.
Hope this doesn’t confuse and rather helps and clarifies the reason for and use of Roman numerals instead of numbers for chord degrees of a scale for those who are curious, or confused.
Thanks I wasnt aware of that.
Also isn't that to distinguish chords from harmony? For example, you can say V7 with the 7 in superscript. We know that it's not the VII chord, it's a 7th interval from the root note (actually a minor 7th). If someone were to just write "IN THE KEY OF C 1, 3, 5" on a chalk board and ask me what that was I would say it was a C major chord, not a chord I, iii, V progression.
also on piano a number distinguishes the octave of the note... like C6 or C8 or whatnot
@@CaseyVan
For a beginner, it’s easier to see and know that, I iii V represents a major, minor, major chord progression due to the large and small letters, or Roman numerals, respectively. But for that same beginner, although the numbers 1, 3, 5 might represent the 1 3 5 chord progression of the C major scale to them, that person, being new to the game, may forget and become confused that the progression follows the major, minor, major pattern, respectively, because there’s no distinction made through the use of numbers. A number is just a number, sort of speak. But with Roman numerals, they’re large and small letters so that an upper case letter represents a “major” chord and a lower case letter represents a “minor” chord. And that makes life a whole lot easier! The whole idea is to avoid confusion and ease operation. When you’re new to it, if you saw 1 3 5, you’ll be hard pressed to know which are the major chords and which are the minor chord in the progression. Whereas with, I iii V it’s almost immediately clear that you have a major, minor, major chord progression because you have an upper case, lower case, upper case letter progression, respectively. Makes life simple!
@@1stTHINGS1stZINX yeah that's convenient. You can't make a small and big number.
Also, in order to understand it, you need to be comfortable with:
1. Major chord
2. Minor chord
3. Scale (specifically Major Scales)
4. Key
5. Intervals (specifically semitones and tones)
You are an absolute wizard to have worked out the ground rules of playing music without score. Wished I watched your a video decades ago. This would have saved me over a half century of struggling. Thank you from glued reader of printed music.
you're kidding man , theres nothing new here other than it being very clearly explained on a yt vid
all very available in books , especially those on jazz theory
The 5th is 50% higher in frequency (A=440hz E=660hz) which is why it sounds good to the ear.
(only thing that sounds better or more in sync or in harmony- is an octave which 100% higher). What is called the 4th can be thought of as a minus 5th as it also has a 50% relationship to the tonic (F is the 5th below C just as G is the 5th above C).
I have played guitar for many years but I learned to play by ear. I have never understood music theory and i have always wanted to know more about music theory when i stumbled onto Karen's lessons. I have really enjoyed her lessons . Karen has a beautiful personality and it shows that she really enjoys teaching. Thank you so much for these wonderful lessons Karen they have brought me a great deal of enjoyment. Most sincerely, George Nourse Caldwell, Idaho
Dear Karen, I have tried for years to play piano. Can't read music, I am slow my nature. But after following your lessons, I can now play and truly enjoy it. Thank you so very much for your help. I took lessons for a year and still couldn't play. Now I play with groups that come to out town and play along with them. Again, Thank you so very much. Glenn Nolan
AMAZING!! I’ve known that music could be played with numbers for years, but never could find anyone to teach me about it.. So clear and easy to understand. Thank you so much.
Karen's teaching is so clear and simple!! She's amazing!
Hey! I love the way you teach......Your my kind of teacher.......I never had lessons, but When I was 17, I bought my first organ and started playing around with it, and within a month I was playing in church and loving every minute of it....the way you teach is somewhat how I learned to play.....I did teach myself how to read some notes just so I could learn the melody of a song....but sad to say, I haven’t sat down to an organ for 26 yrs....I do miss it.......
interesting points ,if anyone else needs to find out about best piano courses try EasyPianoLessons5.blogspot.com
Ive heard some interesting things about it and my work buddy got great results with it.
I don't know how is that in your countries, but at least in Poland they don't teach us harmony in public music schools, only classic music and playing notes. It's horrible, because knowing the mathematics of harmony would give the musicians so much power from their early years of learning :( at least we have UA-cam. Thank you!
Very interesting post. So: you are saying.... that in Poland, they teach only what has been written.... but with knowing harmony you can write and play new music.... is this correct?
aha ! music nazis ! so desperate for classical robots , yes the oppression of expression and individual free thinking for fear of having people play the much feared jazz or even the venomously despised rock n roll
Absolutely. Theory has taken me up a level in musicianship.
In my school in England we weren't even taught anything about classical music. It was just doing covers of songs and essays on marketing etc 🙄🙄
In China neither. I'm in my 30s and am re-studying music theory for playing guitar.I find this video so helpful and regret having the pathetic music lessons I had when I was a kid.
I feel like I know her personally. She has the GIFT of sharing. She does wonders for the UA-cam Community.
Thanks Karen and whoever posted all of the videos.
God Bless!
To people complaining, I think this is a simple course, following conventions and rule of thumb for learning musicians. Its not the be all end all of music theory and I dont think its supposed to be.
The reason people complain about the basics is because they think that they know more than what they actually know. If they knew as much as they thought they knew, they would be more humble and not complain.
The knowledgeable never complain about hearing the basics because every so often, they are reminded of something they forgot.
He who complains about the basics of his craft, will be too limited to perfect his craft.
Ya there is no way to cheat theory it takes most people a life time
You, Mrs. Ramirez, are the most talented music teacher I’ve ever heard.
I COSIGN THAT.
Not all musicians can be a music teacher and not all music teacher can be a good musician but you seem to have the both qualities...a professional musicians and a professional music teacher. congratulations
Lady you are a legend. Just watched a couple of your UA-cam videos. The light has switched on ...!
Oh Karen you are so gifted! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us, youtubers! I'm learning so much, I thought I would never be able to learn because I can't afford private lessons and at this season of my life, so crazy busy( 4 children, husband, money issues, fatigue etc) It's been a blessing to come to your channel and feel I can achieve this dream of mine at my own pace. May the Lord bless you all.
The dominant chord V is so important because the 5 note of the scale that is one octave higher has a harmonic resonant frequency to the 1 note of the chord. That is, when you strike middle C, the G string in the next higher octave also vibrates. So you can see now why it seems "natural" to play I-V-I.
this channel is great,the information is so deep,ave been following this tutorials for about one month or so and I cant lie ave improved alot with the piano,Probably one of the best PIANO teachers that ave come across on the internet.GOD BLESS you for the great work you are doing,it really helps alot
I’ve watched tons of theories but this lady explained it way much better than any of this money making bloggers.
Oh My God, through all my learning & studies, you have just demystified this fog that I have never seem to get my head around, and in part 2 I finally can understand the circle of fifths. Thanks for such a logical and simplistic explanation.
You are the best TEACHER on how to play the PIANO EVER.
A genuine thank you for confirming my belief that the key and scale are the same thing.
I’m using this for my guitar chord progressions and then expanding out from there. I wish I could be in this class! Thank you Karen!
She's right. I watched this vid 2 years ago, and still remember her. Now all I need is a Wurlitzer!
People like this deserve lots of respect and honor, they give their best to others with love. Love your videos, you've helped me a lot, thanks much
This fills a lot of gaps in my music theory knowledge. Thank you. You are a great teacher!
This is in my opinion a good lesson for entry level chord structures. But don't get it confused with "rules." This is a great tool and teaches many fundamentals. The sky is the limit with chord structures, don't confuse this for rules. I am pretty sure the teacher doesn't mean this to be a rule book, but more of a guide to help young students easily navigate chords. These are not the only directions chords can go. 4-6 is often a sequence that happens and there are more, but this is helpful for beginners none-the-less.
already said but, this is a basic class and done very well, end of story. surprising how many negatives comments for someone who obviously really cares about what she does...fantastic video...thank you...
I learned how to play "Happiness is a Warm Gun" by the Beatles in only a few minutes into this video. Thanks.
the reason they use roman numerals is so you can denote weather or not it is major or minor. .the minor chords of the scale are usually shown in lowercase roman numerals. I ii III IV V vi VII
+Jack Anderson Nah man, I just use lower case numbers
+Jack Anderson III should be lower case, iii
+Jack Anderson also to tell the difference between the chord and the degree of the scale for example V7 - which is the fifth Chord with the 7th degree of the scale - Which would be 57, which could be confusing potentially.
seriously, so many reasons why roman numerals are used....great code and big reason the band knows the key sequences ALWAYS
roman numerals are used to offer degrees and show diatonic relationships - not to denote minor
I can tell you what I understood.
The key means the scale that the piece is in. eg. written in C, notes of C major scale, ie. C D E F G A B C
So, when they're forming major triad chords (3 notes, I, IV, V), they have to change the second note of the triad, to fit in the scale. *There are no sharps in C*.
They change the second tone by bringing it down one semitone.
eg. D major triad - D, F#, A
F# isn't in C major scale, hence, we bring it down one semitone to F.
i do not know how she is doing it but her teachings are understandable and easy to try. learning a lot. Amazing teacher
What I've learned in this video is more than a 3yr course, I'm blessed!
Yes. I really love the tune. "Heart and Soul" it is! Now, I can get the sheet music. Thank you very much!
KAREN YOUR A GREAT TEACHER, LEARNED ALOT FROM YOU IN A SHORT TIME, THE SKILL OF A GREAT TEACHER. ..THANKS
Song at 1:10 -- Heart and Soul. Did you know that Hoagy Carmichael wrote the music? I've been playing jazz piano for over 50 years and I just discovered that recently. And, it has a bridge -- I never knew that. Yes, that 1-6-2-5-1 is very common.
Why I didn't find your videos before? I must say you have made everything so easy and understandable!! Your videos beat all the garbage out there on YoutTube. Thank you so much for helping us out.
Mrs. Ramirez you are awesome. you gave us amazing learning here.
Hi Denzil
Just a small point on what a diminished chord is.
There are only three diminished chords on the keyboard. These are C - C# - and D. All other standard diminished chords are inversions of these - that is to say, playing the same 4 notes but starting on a different note. C diminished is C - Eb - Gb - A. Root. 1st inversion. 2nd inversion and 3rd inversion.
An easy way to remember is in - C for example : Root (C) minor 3rd (Eb) flat 5 (Gb) and the 6th.
Simples!! Flat 5 is sometimes written -5.
Just to quickly look at the others...C# diminished is Root (C#) minor 3rd (E) flat 5 (G) and the 6th (A#)
D diminished is Root (D) minor 3rd (F) flat 5 (Ab) and the 6th (B).
And now you are back where you started except you start on an Eb using the same 4 notes.
There are a number of variations in diminished chords but this is a simple way to start learning all the basic diminished chords.
And Bill, you are not really stupid...
jayceemusic . co .uk
This Lady is amazing.. Thank you so much..
Karen, if you are still out there, Thank You!
long time didn't follow the session , since that time my music theory
improved a lot . always yours teaching were too advanced to me .
lets see how good student l'm now ? always enjoy your class !!!!
You are the best music teacher ever!!!!!!!!!!!!
A really good explanation for the chords and I'm still working on just having fun with learning and playing without thinking because I'm still new and I'm having a good time with all this wonderful information
Thank you Karen!
You are a wonderful teacher! I highly appreciate yr video. Rgds from Spain
Karen - Awesome, you make it so simple. I like the way you teach it.
WOW we need more master-teachers as this greate woman!
Brilliant lady. I have 3 of the 4 semesters required in music theory to hold a degree in music - darn close to holding a degree in music. I hold a minor in music. And with that, nobody explained it this way.
Great teaching. Thank you Ms.Ramirez I struggled with this in school
I've been playing keyboard by ear all my 45 years, and have just started trying to learn theory. Even if this lesson is not 100% accurate - - as I suspect it's not - - it seems like a good, mostly followable introduction into theory. As long as I take notes, flag the questionable parts, and don't get too bogged down in "why this, why that?"
I have a minor in music. I think it's fantastic!
It is 100% accurate - as far as rules of harmony. Without the knowledge to know better - why would you doubt? Knowing music theory give you the tools to be intentional and make musical choices based on knowledge (as well as your ear.) Great composers and improvisors are steeped in this knowledge. Just like great writers/communicators have deep knowledge & command of their language. The great innovators knew these rules first and then broke them with intention and creativity.
She is talking to folks who are betting the basics, and sometimes it is better to be understood than to be totally accurate from the start. Start out with complex stuff, and you discourage the newbie.
Its pretty accurate like how ignorant do you have to be to doubt that when dont know anything about it like I'm in highschool and know a good bit of theory even if i didnt i wouldn't be ignorant enough to doubt what she said just because you dont understand something doesnt mean its wrong
She is a charleten . Smoke and mirrors my friends...move on
exactly! lol half way through i said wow...this is how i got lost years ago in college....taking real private piano lessons with a teacher and learning the circle of fifths one key at a time is the real way to understand this. talk will only confuse the hell out you!
Very intelligent mama! So inspired with your technical lesson on piano thanks so much.
Your videos are great. Thank you!
This lady is the business! How can you not be drawn to her?
@TheElle88 This is useful to know because in any one of the other 12 scales, say scale of the key of D for example, (D,e,f#,G,A,b,c#,D) if you were to use the first, fourth, and fifth notes of the scale (D,G,A), as roots and use the corresponding 3rd and 5th of the D-major scale, then each of the 3 roots and its 3rd and 5th will be major chords. In the key of D: [D,f#, a] is a D-major chord, [G,b,d] is a G-major chord, and [A,c#,D] is an A-major chord.
I now understand what a diminished chord is. I love the way she teaches things.
your videos are easy to understand. I've been self studying on playing piano and so far, I am learning. :) thanks for he videos :)
Me too..... Anything you wanna share?
Fantastic lesson! You explained it so well! Thank you for making this video. 1, 4,5 sound much easier than tonic, sub dominant and dominant. 😄
Big Thanks for this video, i learned a lot in just simple way of knowing this simple logic.
My mind has now been open to new possibilities to play piano and a new subscriber 😁
This is insane! Absolute gold! Best music teacher ever!
There are also 4 note scales(5 if you include the octave)pentatonic scales,six note scales 7-12note scales13 note if you add the octave.Scales don't have a fixed number of notes unless you choose or invent one with a certain number of notes.The Chromatic Scale includes all the notes from root to octave.C to C1 including C1.This is 13 notes.12 are usually included since the C1 for example is implicit.
Omg!! As a fellow piano player I've never been exposed to this concept. This is a great tool to teach beginners with. Thanks!😁
yes! especially adult students who wish to play right away!
Very nice presentation,straight to the point
Listen to me!,...Thank you follow making the video. I have been trying for years to map out music simply by ear. You made it very simple to understand. game changer...blessings
Hi , just looking through all the past posts ,going back years ,I lot of people have said thay cart see the board, and the formula for the cords, I'm wondering why Karen has never said what is it's,, does she or anyone monitor this page ? Still she has help 100s of people inc myself over the years ,, she is a good teacher ,,
God what a frustrating i learn piano. Then now I got it. Thank you mrs!!
Hear that? It's a penny dropping for me. Thanks Karen for sharing this knowledge.
I love this woman's teaching !
Amazing!!! I believe I watched every video you made (older and newer).
I like this gal a lot. Great personality. If my piano teacher would have been her when I was 5 I might have stuck with lessons. Mine was so stuffy that I dropped out and learned guitar, steel guitar , banjo, mandolin and harmonicas by ear. I didn't stick with my lessons, so Iguess I will never amount to nothing. I didn't learn about the circle till I was fourty five.
U taught this so easy to understand otherwise, was very complicated to understand thanks
Ms. Ramirez,
As I understand it, notes of a scale are numbered with 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 while Chords use Roman Numerals for a very good reason. If I write 1-6-2-5-1, those notes are supposed to be played as written, "C-A-D-G-C". But if I write -I-VI-II-V-I, I know I am supposed to play those chords.
I love the way you teach. Fantastic lesson!
Love you and your teaching style
you made it sound amazingly simple Karen! Hugs thank you!
Had a guitar workshop instructor that started the workshop by writing 4736251 on the board. WOW.... after getting over that it was my ex-girlfriends telephone number, he went on to talk about the circle of 4th's/5th's and how to use it in Jazz/Blues songs. Then, we covered one or two different songs each day that demonstrated how to use it.... Then, the next year's workshop covered the Grateful Dead and how often they used this. Way cool.
1 and 8 are the same note. The 1st note in the octave is the first note of the scale regardless of the octave.
Well explained and you made it very easy to understand as well. Good teacher
Thank you so much for this. You r the best
Nice video, but I do have to disagree with the last part where she lists what chord goes to what chord. It music were that simple all music would sound the same. For example, the 5 chord doesn't have to go to 1 - it can also go to 6, then 6 can go 4, then to 5, and finally 1. At the end of the day, it's best to use your ear to determine what sounds good and not be limited by a formula.
You have to start with the basic formula before you can put in the twiddly bits that actually make it musically interesting.
Roy Maya yeah, that’s true, and 1,5,6m,4 is another really standard one. I think based on her other videos she’s trying to get you to play well known songs without music...so rules of thumb to play well known songs quickly by ear. So a list of educated guesses
Ah, yes, 5 can go to 6 because we learned in college that one can interchange the 6 and the 1. That is why many a song will start with 6 rather than the tonic.
@@shamanbeartwo3819 deceptive cadence
@@stevestringer7351 lol, I admit I had to look up that term:))
The 1-6-2-5 (heart and soul, blue moon) progression repeated over and over is common, but the 2-5-1 progression (7ths. ) is EVERYWHERE in the classic American songbook.
great teacher. gifted really.
Key and scale do not mean the same thing. A scale is defined by its intervals. Play that sequence of intervals beginning on A gives you the key A major, beginning on D gives you D major, etc. You can play a major scale in any major key, a minor scale in any minor key.
They use Roman numerals to indicate what chord, and numbers to show which inversion. “Figured bass”
Where have you been all my life Karen???
Another important chord progression, that goes with pretty much every pop song ever, is 1-5-6-4-1. For an example check out the Axis of Awesome's 4 chord song
This is the "oldies but goodies" sequence. Nearly every doowop song from the 50's used these chords for the verse of the song: C, Am, F, G (and then C to start again).
you're such an amazing teacher
Who's the genius that decided not to move the camera until the 6 minute mark?
Thank you William, I was yelling at the doofuss on the camera to zoom out for 6 minutes
Whatever you would have just seen CDEFGAB
@TheElle88 If you were to build major chords using the the first, fourth, and fifth note of the C-scale (C,d,e,F,G,a,b,c) as the root and only notes from the C scale as the 3rd and 5th of each respective major chords, they would all be major chords. That is, in the C-scale, if you use C as the root, the corresponding third and fifth note needs to be "e" and "g". If you use F as root, then count up 3 use A as the third, up five and use C as fifth. In the key of C, both will be major chords.
@TheElle88
those are the major chords in C. 1,4,5 is the most popular chord progression in music.
I really love your video so much Karen,,I connected the dots in my fragmented knowledge about chords
progression...tell me more....
The first sequence she played at 0:57 was: 1 - 6 - 4 - 5 So she contradicts herself that 6 goes into 2.
Then afterwards she changed her play to: 1 - 6 - 2 - 5
The 4 chord and 2 chord is interchangable. It really depends on the musician which tone you want to portray.
In essence, the 2 chord and 4 chord is similar as they share the same 2 notes.
For reference: Cmaj scale
2 chord = D F A
4 chord = F A C
The shared notes are F and A.
Therefore, you can substitute these notes in your progression.
Outstanding teacher!
She seems like a really nice person.
I would love to be friends with her and or have her as my neighbor.
I must be really stupid, but I have absolutely no idea what she just said.
@@JS45678 weak musician....wined up with poor compositions.
@@JS45678 well yea I understand... But if you play live music by ear you have to really know how to play ...where I come from at concerts they sing and you have to figure it out on the way .....well it all depends on what u plan to do, can get away on composing but its worth it.
It's worth learning
man....im gonna figure it out if it kills me.I know nothing but by ear and memory. this seems logical but i aint quite sure why. idk.............sigh.
@@thedoobiesistersandsackbla5718 try with psychology