Basic chords for learning to play keyboard?

Answer 1

I suggest that you start by learning how to play simple songs using your left hand within the lowest 17 notes of the keyboard. Listen to some songs on your CD player and play along to these until you master moving your fingers across the notes to the melody. When you are confident at playing a melody with your left hand move on to play the simple Triads (three note chords). These can be learned by using a chord book. Concentrate on playing the Major and Minor chords in each key and don't get involved in any other chords until you've mastered these. Using software such as Midinotate pick a few midi files of well known songs that you would like to be able to play and follow along to these using your left hand to accompany play the chords using the chord symbols displayed on the staff. As time goes on you will feel more comfortable playing in this way and this will give you a good grounding for playing 'by ear' which is how most popular music is played in a band setting. Your brain will automatically recognise the finger positions needed for the chords you want to play 'this is sometimes known as muscle memory' After practicing for some time in this way you can start to build your skill by playing the melody in your right hand and the accompanying chords in your left hand. The trick is to practice often and play different types of music so you expand your knowledge and don't get bored playing the same songs over and over. When your skill builds keyboard playing becomes more fun and this will encourage you to keep on practicing whenever you have the opportunity. GarryK Solihull