| Did you know that music is based on natural "laws" -- | | | | Answers to piano playing music questions: |
| like gravity -- and by learning to understand how those | | | | True. That's because there are just 3 primary chords |
| natural laws work we can actually understand what | | | | in any key -- like family members: Mom, Dad, Child. Get |
| we are doing when we play -- we don't have to be at | | | | to know those 3 and you've got it. |
| the mercy of what someone else has written on a | | | | True. It's like languages. It's great to be able to speak |
| piece of music? | | | | several, but you can get by with just one. I'd love to |
| How many of these facts do you know about music | | | | speak other languages, but I can get by with just |
| & piano playing? Test yourself and then check the | | | | English. |
| answers at the bottom of the page: | | | | True. Every note is part of several different chords. |
| Did you know that by learning just 3 chords you can | | | | So it is easy to harmonize any song once you know |
| play hundreds of songs? | | | | the secret. |
| Did you know that there are only 12 major keys you | | | | True. Yep. They both use the A minor chord and the |
| can play in, but you only really have to master one key | | | | E7 chord in their themes. |
| to play most popular songs? | | | | True. I know that's hard to believe, but remember that |
| Did you know that it is possible to easily match any | | | | music is based on math. Once you understand a thing |
| melody note (tune) to a chord, so you can harmonize | | | | called the "Circle of 4ths" it's a piece of cake. In fact, I |
| any note? | | | | can tell you right now that 85% of the time the G |
| Did you know that Beethoven's Fur Elise and the blues | | | | chord comes directly after the D7 chord. So next time |
| song "Summertime" uses the exact same chords for | | | | you run into the D7 chord, you have an educated |
| the theme of the song? | | | | guess of 85% that the next chord will be some form |
| Did you know that it is quite possible to predict what | | | | of the G chord. (G, G7 etc.) If you're into amazing your |
| chord comes next in a song with accuracy | | | | friends, that'll do it! |
| approaching 85%? | | | | True. Apply different rhythms to the same chords, and |
| Did you know you can use the same chords to play | | | | you have many styles of music! With the very same |
| boogie, blues, new age, gospel, pop, rock, jazz, country | | | | chords I can play boogie, jazz, rock, pop, gospel, new |
| - anything except classical music? (And even some | | | | age, ragtime. |
| classics!) | | | | True. Chords are chords. Once you know them, you |
| Did you know that guitar chords are the same as | | | | can apply them to any instrument. |
| piano chords -- the only thing different is the instrument | | | | True. Musical forms such as "AABA" and "ABA" are |
| and the resulting sound? | | | | the basis of thousands and thousands of songs. |
| Did you know that hundreds of songs use exactly the | | | | True. Understanding chords and how them form the |
| same form, so by learning that form you can know | | | | skeleton of music accelerates the learning curve |
| what's coming next in a song? | | | | exponentially. |
| Did you know that by coming in through the backdoor | | | | The bottom line is this: music is based on natural law |
| of piano playing -- chords -- you can start making | | | | and is mathematical in nature. Understanding is the key |
| wonderful and satisfying sounds on the piano in just a | | | | to both rapid learning and getting more enjoyment out |
| few days instead of a few years -- even if you don't | | | | of the process. |
| know Middle C from Tweedle Dee? | | | | |