Here's the progression: I R vi 1st IV 2nd ii R vii° 1st V 2nd iii R I 1st vi 2nd IV R ii 1st vii° 2nd V R iii 1st I 2nd vi R IV 1st ii 2nd vii° R V 1st iii 2nd I love music. There is such a logic to it. This could make a nice chart. Again, thanks so much for this.
Started 8months ago, I memorized and internalized 90% of all basic major/minor inversions through a random note generator 15-20 min a day. Highly recommend ^^^
Best exercise ever. It allows you to practice all the chords in a particular scale and at the same time develop muscle memory for chord changes in proximity to each other, brilliant, Jonny. You have a new sub.
So in order to have the muscles memorize this, should I make sure I know what chords I'm acutally playing? Or can I just do the patterns and eventually I can just play these inversions 🤔 I mean I'll still have to know my scales, but it would take me a lot more time to figure out each chord that I'm actually playing.
@@mariomuller1405 In order to develop muscle memory you don't need to memorize what you're playing while doing this exercise, that will happen naturally. However, my suggestion is that you study intervals and how chords are formed, that way you don't have to memorize the chord shapes, because you would be able to build them, and your hands will already know every triad and it's inversions if you commit to practicing this exercise as suggested.
@@olivermirez6667 Thanks Oliver. I know most of the theory, so I know the major scales and modes. I can build the most common cords, also their inversions. But I just can't play anything fluently. So I'll give it a shot and do this exercise regularly now. I'm thrilled 🤩
What a great exercise! It also works backwards, if you start with the lowest key moving down. And best about this exercise: it sounds so musical. I can even integrate it into the playing of standards.
Hi Jonny-Loved this video! I am always trying to imagine what you were thinking and how you got to that conclusion while you were playing the piano. In other words, how did you first learn what you were doing that made it click for you? Anyway, what I like to do with this exercise, is imagine my three inversions while saying the triad notes in my head and picturing the shapes for root, 1st inversion, and 2nd inversion. I do this slowly at first and then as I get used to it, my speed increases naturally. Thanks for all your help. I love watching your videos and learn so much from you. You are such an amazing and excellent pianist-way advanced of most people. That’s why everything you say is a treasure! BTW, I just joined your site as a member and I’m looking forward to the many things I will learn! Take care.
Great exercise you can do this with any shape also example go down and up chromatic or do your Sus chords or even your modes . Its amazing all colors and sounds it produces . Ty
Good video! Funny thing is the first chord chart I ever got when I was learning chords starting out was in second inversion! So I had a bit of a head start but as a result had to learn root position chords separately.
Great exercise to understand that inversions means movement :-) if you add 7th chords you will have a circle of fifths progression :) is that the same concept? - Play a F maj7 chord boths hands. - Lower 7th to 6th both hands with left thumb -1 / right little finger -1 - now move the rest triad notes also one step down to create e minor 7 :)
I'm not sure if I get you right. That would give you a Fmaj7 Dm7 Em7 Cmaj7 Dm7 ... Progression, right? So you would cycle through all the chords. Or am I not getting you right? I came up with this for the 7th chords: Start with Cmaj7 root position, then move 5th an 7th down a note, you get a Fmaj7, then move the 5th and 7th down and you land on Bø7. So this would give you this progression: C∆7, F∆7, Bø7, E-7, A-7, D-7, G7. Second round gives you inversions. I guess you could start with an inversion and get the rest but I havent't figured that one out yet.
This assumes one knows their chords and inversions. Practicing this way if one is still trying to learn the chords and inversions would be confusing at best. It does however look like an excellent advanced exercise.
Well thats great if you know all the roots solid first. Skiiled players always look back and think a different approach is such a great help but thats only because they can do it without thinking.
Isn’t the goal of playing them through chord by chord though that you’re thinking about the shape/feel of each inversion in relation to the last played (in the same chord)? How does doing this satisfy the same learning goal?
Yes, this Quick Tip is a hybrid exercise to provide an efficient way to be exposed to several different chord inversions. pianowithjonny.com/piano-lessons/top-piano-chord-inversion-exercise/
Whew!! Information overload for me!! ha. I enjoy your presentations! In my piano lessons (sporadic to say the least), I suppose I haven't stuck around long enough at any one time to learn chords/inversions, etc. Even with more recent instruction(s), chords and/or inversions are not emphasized, even within the methods book that I am using, Alfred's All-in-one Adult series. The information is there for me to read, but little instruction toward utilization, etc. As I have said, I see notes, not chords while playing. ha Any suggestions?
I would add even though its enharmonic Gb( as the display app notated it) in a D major chord is very confusing to an already brain stimulating exercise.
Sir: I am having quite a time downloading the Top Piano Chord Inversion Exercise in this video. Would it be possible to just email it to me if possible. What a refreshing, clean and smart way of teaching. I thank you, A
wouldnt the purpose of practicing normal inversion practice be to move through the normal inversions for songs that have similar movements? The 21 inversion exercise does not seem like it gets you this practice
Learned so much from your simple and easy to understand way of describing concepts and tips, almost akin to revealing magic tricks, lol. Thanks so much. Can you explain or describe how Brian Simpson (Smooth Jazz pianist) does his licks or fill ins? He does a lot of the harmonized licks that I like and would like to learn them. Thanks! Efren
Thanks for this video, it is really helpful and sounds great! I was wondering if there’s a way of using this same approach but for 4-note chords (aka with 7ths)?
@@vexecutioner5907 I guess Cesar meant with each hand (?) CEGB Cmaj7 CEGA Am7 CEFA Fmaj7 CDFA Dm7 But I doubt this (not-so-nice-sounding) I-VI-IV-II progression would help learning all your inversions any faster... :) As far as I'm concerned, I would prefer practicing common progressions in different keys, using various inversions. 2 or 3 keys at a time, not more. But I'm in no way an "expert", I'm struggling big time with that stuff! :)
how do you memorize the chords relative to themselves? like I know how to go down the scale but I couldnt just come up and play the inversion without going through the whole process. Please help
I've learned so much with you so far, but I don't think this exercise will work for me. If I try to play all the different patterns at the same time mixing all the chords, I'll probably improve my fingers flexibility, but I'll mix all the chords in my mind and never be able to mentally link the any single chord with the right fingers position. I'll just spend my time practicing it until I can play your progression automatically, but I'll never be able to reuse any pattern when playing anything else.
@MF I feel exactly the same. I doubt this would help me learn my inversions properly any faster, on the contrary. It may be different for other people, though, I don't know. As far as I'm concerned, I much prefer practicing playing II-V-I and I-VI-II-V in different keys and positions, little by little.
You play 21 different inversions in an interetsing way, yes. But you end up not even knowing what chord inversions you just did, you just played all of it randomly :/
I agree, for me, mastering your chords imply that you can visualize them very easily and quickly and know each note position in the chord. This exercise forces your brain to learn ALL patterns at the same time, so you'll probably remember nothing. Maybe a better exercise would be to play them without looking at the keyboard to force yourself to visualize the keys in your mind. That's hard but a least you are sure you are not just playing your inversions mechanically without mastering anything and being aware of the chords and sounds you produce. Awareness is fundamental to be an excellent musician, we don't play randomly in hoping it will sound good, we do pick exact colorful notes for our harmonies, and for that you need to fully and mindfully understand your chords.
No estoy de acuerdo contigo Tu trabajo es memorizar lo que tocas, indagar en la estructura de las inversiones , Porque la tienen , me parece un planteamiento muy inteligente el de jonny Soy un principiante...lo primero que veo es que necesitamos aprender las bases de la teoría musical Y el idioma de la música es pura matemática, traducido en un lenguaje sonoro.
Maybe if you say out loud the inversion as you play it you can get to know what you're playing. But if you're playing them quickly I guess that'd be very difficult.
@@QuantumPulse20I’m so glad I saw this comment because at first I was thinking something along the lines of what you said but didn’t know how to say it.But then I questioned myself because everyone was saying how cool it was. It is cool and creative way to fit all the inversions in a small space but it seemed more of a finger exercise more than anything to me.I totally have been telling myself that I gotta practice inversions in a way that I first know where on the keyboard my fingers are just by feel.Then I can visualize and feel the patter/shape my fingers need to make to hit the most convenient inversion on the spot. But have you any books or methods that helped you the most
I did not like this exercise. I frigging LOVED IT. I am taking my computer in to replace the like button I smashed it so hard and so often during the lesson that it was singing the Fifth...of Beethoven. I think that it would be good to have the Chords of a Key chart visualized since knowing them would be helpful. And I knew there would be a simple mathematical way to do this. I just saw a Tonnertz chart yesterday but haven't had time to research it. I'm sure they also exist in every key. Again, merci for this.
Bull! Sounds good, though, but you won't get the inversions fluently any quicker this way. In fact, you'll spend more time trying to get the exercise right.
00:00 - Intro
00:37 - What is an Inversion?
01:46 - 21 Inversion Exercise
04:48 - Exercise Formula
06:26 - Chords Overlapping
07:57 - Conclusion
I've been struggling with actually implementing inversions. After half the video it just clicked. Genuinely: thank you.
As many have said, I keep being amazed at how well thought out and fun Jonny's lessons are. Jonny is a great player and a talented teacher as well...
This is perhaps the most beautiful practice exercise I’ve encountered - thank you so much for sharing! Amazing video as usual :)
I lost an index finger on my right hand in an accident...I have done these inversions with arpeggios as well...wow! Johnny, you are amazing!😎🎶
for me this is the best exercise i have ever met in my life it is good for voiceleading too thank you very much
Here's the progression:
I R vi 1st IV 2nd ii R vii° 1st V 2nd iii R
I 1st vi 2nd IV R ii 1st vii° 2nd V R iii 1st
I 2nd vi R IV 1st ii 2nd vii° R V 1st iii 2nd
I love music. There is such a logic to it. This could make a nice chart.
Again, thanks so much for this.
Started 8months ago, I memorized and internalized 90% of all basic major/minor inversions through a random note generator 15-20 min a day. Highly recommend ^^^
@sauceboymills3991 Sounds interesting . Which note generator app did you use?
Best exercise ever. It allows you to practice all the chords in a particular scale and at the same time develop muscle memory for chord changes in proximity to each other, brilliant, Jonny. You have a new sub.
Awesome, thank you so much!
So in order to have the muscles memorize this, should I make sure I know what chords I'm acutally playing? Or can I just do the patterns and eventually I can just play these inversions 🤔 I mean I'll still have to know my scales, but it would take me a lot more time to figure out each chord that I'm actually playing.
@@mariomuller1405 In order to develop muscle memory you don't need to memorize what you're playing while doing this exercise, that will happen naturally. However, my suggestion is that you study intervals and how chords are formed, that way you don't have to memorize the chord shapes, because you would be able to build them, and your hands will already know every triad and it's inversions if you commit to practicing this exercise as suggested.
@@olivermirez6667 Thanks Oliver. I know most of the theory, so I know the major scales and modes. I can build the most common cords, also their inversions. But I just can't play anything fluently. So I'll give it a shot and do this exercise regularly now. I'm thrilled 🤩
@@mariomuller1405 Yes, do this and the scales and it will help a ton.
What a great exercise! It also works backwards, if you start with the lowest key moving down. And best about this exercise: it sounds so musical. I can even integrate it into the playing of standards.
Woohoo! Brilliant!!!
A teacher who can make practising sound interesting and musical is a great teacher!!!
Thank you!
Hi Jonny-Loved this video! I am always trying to imagine what you were thinking and how you got to that conclusion while you were playing the piano. In other words, how did you first learn what you were doing that made it click for you? Anyway, what I like to do with this exercise, is imagine my three inversions while saying the triad notes in my head and picturing the shapes for root, 1st inversion, and 2nd inversion. I do this slowly at first and then as I get used to it, my speed increases naturally. Thanks for all your help. I love watching your videos and learn so much from you. You are such an amazing and excellent pianist-way advanced of most people. That’s why everything you say is a treasure!
BTW, I just joined your site as a member and I’m looking forward to the many things I will learn! Take care.
Fascinating! What a way to learn inversions... Can't wait to execute.
Best piano teacher on the internet! Thanks again! 😄
Thank you so very much sir, that is just something i have been searching for for so long..
Following your lessons now👏
Cheers
Excellent! Really takes the pain out of practicing.
Great lesson! Thank you, Jonny. Best, GV
This is gold, excellent lesson Jonny
it would be cool if you could do more chord progressions exercise with inversions. all the diatonic 7th chords
Wow... Thank you for the teaching, Very much Usefull
Thanks for sharing.
Our pleasure!
Love your work - a great lesson, thank you.
Great exercise you can do this with any shape also example go down and up chromatic or do your Sus chords or even your modes . Its amazing all colors and sounds it produces . Ty
Thanks for the interesting exercise. I was looking for an exercise like this.
Good video! Funny thing is the first chord chart I ever got when I was learning chords starting out was in second inversion! So I had a bit of a head start but as a result had to learn root position chords separately.
Great lesson. Thanks Jonny & Happy 4th!
This is gonna help me a lot. Thanks!!!!!!!
Great exercise to understand that inversions means movement :-) if you add 7th chords you will have a circle of fifths progression :) is that the same concept?
- Play a F maj7 chord boths hands.
- Lower 7th to 6th both hands with left thumb -1 / right little finger -1
- now move the rest triad notes also one step down to create e minor 7 :)
Yes!
I'm not sure if I get you right. That would give you a Fmaj7 Dm7 Em7 Cmaj7 Dm7 ... Progression, right? So you would cycle through all the chords. Or am I not getting you right?
I came up with this for the 7th chords: Start with Cmaj7 root position, then move 5th an 7th down a note, you get a Fmaj7, then move the 5th and 7th down and you land on Bø7. So this would give you this progression: C∆7, F∆7, Bø7, E-7, A-7, D-7, G7. Second round gives you inversions.
I guess you could start with an inversion and get the rest but I havent't figured that one out yet.
@@mariomuller1405 I hope that helps :)
FACE > FACD > EACD > EGBD
@@jake_ams OK, get it. Thanks. Mine would be FACE > FABD > EGBD > EGAC > ...
that is a very helpful exercise indeed, thank you so much Sir!
Great exercise.....BUT the smart thing to do here is to really start with the 'classic-boring-way' and THEN move on to THIS one!
I would call this Inversion chaos
This assumes one knows their chords and inversions. Practicing this way if one is still trying to learn the chords and inversions would be confusing at best. It does however look like an excellent advanced exercise.
hi Jonny, this is a great exercise !!!
very powerful wow. def the best.
Thank you 😊
do you have one for 7th chord inversions?
Thank you, Jonny 🌹🌹🌹🌹
great tip. Thanks again from a member of PWJ.
Well thats great if you know all the roots solid first. Skiiled players always look back and think a different approach is such a great help but thats only because they can do it without thinking.
Isn’t the goal of playing them through chord by chord though that you’re thinking about the shape/feel of each inversion in relation to the last played (in the same chord)? How does doing this satisfy the same learning goal?
Yes, this Quick Tip is a hybrid exercise to provide an efficient way to be exposed to several different chord inversions. pianowithjonny.com/piano-lessons/top-piano-chord-inversion-exercise/
Thax Bro l benefited
All I can do is smile and shake my head!❤❤❤
Thanks from México city
Amazing!
Well presented.
This was the best🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Whew!! Information overload for me!! ha. I enjoy your presentations! In my piano lessons (sporadic to say the least), I suppose I haven't stuck around long enough at any one time to learn chords/inversions, etc. Even with more recent instruction(s), chords and/or inversions are not emphasized, even within the methods book that I am using, Alfred's All-in-one Adult series. The information is there for me to read, but little instruction toward utilization, etc. As I have said, I see notes, not chords while playing. ha Any suggestions?
Extremely smart, thanks a lot
I would add even though its enharmonic Gb( as the display app notated it) in a D major chord is very confusing to an already brain stimulating exercise.
sounds great! too good to be practice😋
Awesome
Sir: I am having quite a time downloading the Top Piano Chord Inversion Exercise in this video. Would it be possible to just email it to me if possible. What a refreshing, clean and smart way of teaching. I thank you, A
Great guy for not trying to sell this
thank you
Very nice!!🔥🔥. Can this be done with 7th chords?
thank u
Fantastic 👍🏻🌷
Hey, this is great. thank you so much. Would you use the same fingering for inversions as usual or would you just for this exercise use 1 3 and 5?
wouldnt the purpose of practicing normal inversion practice be to move through the normal inversions for songs that have similar movements? The 21 inversion exercise does not seem like it gets you this practice
Learned so much from your simple and easy to understand way of describing concepts and tips, almost akin to revealing magic tricks, lol. Thanks so much.
Can you explain or describe how Brian Simpson (Smooth Jazz pianist) does his licks or fill ins? He does a lot of the harmonized licks that I like and would like to learn them. Thanks!
Efren
🤣😂🤣 When he said "You should know your major scale😐" I almost turned away in shame😂🤣😂
So glad you didn't:)
Thank you Voldemort
Brilliant bro bro ☺️☺️☺️
All fine n' dandy , but it makes it all more confusing !!!
Who wants more confusion??😢
Thanks for this video, it is really helpful and sounds great! I was wondering if there’s a way of using this same approach but for 4-note chords (aka with 7ths)?
Left - Right
CEG - EGB Cmaj7
CEA - EGC Am7
CFA - EAC Fmaj7
DFA - FAC Dm7
etc…
@@vexecutioner5907 I guess Cesar meant with each hand (?)
CEGB Cmaj7
CEGA Am7
CEFA Fmaj7
CDFA Dm7
But I doubt this (not-so-nice-sounding) I-VI-IV-II progression would help learning all your inversions any faster... :) As far as I'm concerned, I would prefer practicing common progressions in different keys, using various inversions. 2 or 3 keys at a time, not more. But I'm in no way an "expert", I'm struggling big time with that stuff! :)
how do you memorize the chords relative to themselves? like I know how to go down the scale but I couldnt just come up and play the inversion without going through the whole process. Please help
yes I have the same question!
Nice
I've learned so much with you so far, but I don't think this exercise will work for me. If I try to play all the different patterns at the same time mixing all the chords, I'll probably improve my fingers flexibility, but I'll mix all the chords in my mind and never be able to mentally link the any single chord with the right fingers position. I'll just spend my time practicing it until I can play your progression automatically, but I'll never be able to reuse any pattern when playing anything else.
@MF I feel exactly the same. I doubt this would help me learn my inversions properly any faster, on the contrary. It may be different for other people, though, I don't know. As far as I'm concerned, I much prefer practicing playing II-V-I and I-VI-II-V in different keys and positions, little by little.
Learn chord inversion in a week ?
Little low for A minor in 1st. I never play it that low.
starts 2:00
I learned all inversions in about 3 month
You play 21 different inversions in an interetsing way, yes. But you end up not even knowing what chord inversions you just did, you just played all of it randomly :/
I agree, for me, mastering your chords imply that you can visualize them very easily and quickly and know each note position in the chord. This exercise forces your brain to learn ALL patterns at the same time, so you'll probably remember nothing. Maybe a better exercise would be to play them without looking at the keyboard to force yourself to visualize the keys in your mind. That's hard but a least you are sure you are not just playing your inversions mechanically without mastering anything and being aware of the chords and sounds you produce. Awareness is fundamental to be an excellent musician, we don't play randomly in hoping it will sound good, we do pick exact colorful notes for our harmonies, and for that you need to fully and mindfully understand your chords.
@@IamVegaskid okay, now I get it, thanks for the clarification!
No estoy de acuerdo contigo
Tu trabajo es memorizar lo que tocas, indagar en la estructura de las inversiones ,
Porque la tienen , me parece un planteamiento muy inteligente el de jonny
Soy un principiante...lo primero que veo es que necesitamos aprender las bases de la teoría musical
Y el idioma de la música es pura matemática, traducido en un lenguaje sonoro.
Maybe if you say out loud the inversion as you play it you can get to know what you're playing. But if you're playing them quickly I guess that'd be very difficult.
@@QuantumPulse20I’m so glad I saw this comment because at first I was thinking something along the lines of what you said but didn’t know how to say it.But then I questioned myself because everyone was saying how cool it was.
It is cool and creative way to fit all the inversions in a small space but it seemed more of a finger exercise more than anything to me.I totally have been telling myself that I gotta practice inversions in a way that I first know where on the keyboard my fingers are just by feel.Then I can visualize and feel the patter/shape my fingers need to make to hit the most convenient inversion on the spot.
But have you any books or methods that helped you the most
I did not like this exercise.
I frigging LOVED IT.
I am taking my computer in to replace the like button I smashed it so hard and so often during the lesson that it was singing the Fifth...of Beethoven.
I think that it would be good to have the Chords of a Key chart visualized since knowing them would be helpful.
And I knew there would be a simple mathematical way to do this. I just saw a Tonnertz chart yesterday but haven't had time to research it. I'm sure they also exist in every key.
Again, merci for this.
🎹👍👍👍
wooowwwww
It's not good for improvising I think
Bull! Sounds good, though, but you won't get the inversions fluently any quicker this way. In fact, you'll spend more time trying to get the exercise right.
®🦅ฟ👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻®
👎🏻