| As you probably know, there are thousands and | | | | I don't think so. |
| thousands of different chords in music – | | | | It's possible, of course, but not too likely. If I had to |
| everything from basic major chords to minor 7ths to | | | | guess, I would say it would be either you, your spouse, |
| 13ths to suspensions to poly-chords. Someday, you | | | | or your child. It might be your cousin down the |
| might want to learn all those chords if you don't | | | | street—there's a much better chance of that |
| already know them. | | | | than, say, David Letterman or Prince |
| But meanwhile, there are 3 chords—just | | | | Charles—but my best odds would be to guess |
| 3—that you absolutely, positively have to know. If | | | | that the family members would be there. |
| you don't know these three, there's hardly a song in | | | | It's the same way with chords. In any given key, there |
| the whole world that you could play. But by knowing | | | | are 3 "family members" that are residents of that |
| just 3 chords, you can play hundreds, if not thousands | | | | key—the I chord, the IV chord, and the V chord. |
| of songs! | | | | They are far and away the most likely chords to |
| Really? | | | | occur in any given key. |
| Really. | | | | For example, if I am playing in the Key of C, and the |
| Are you ready? Here they are: | | | | first chord is the C chord and I have to guess what |
| I IV V | | | | the next chord is, I would guess that it would be either |
| Huh? What's all that about? | | | | the F chord or the G chord. Why? Because those are |
| Here's what: | | | | the other "family members". So we have narrowed |
| In every key there are 3 chords—just 3 | | | | the odds a great deal just by knowing who the |
| chords—which are known as "primary | | | | members of the family are. |
| chords"—chords that occur way more than | | | | Does that mean that there are always just 3 chords in |
| other chords. They are like family members of that | | | | a song? No, but there are literally hundreds of songs |
| particular key. They are groups of notes built on the 1st | | | | that are made of just 3 chords. |
| note of the scale, the 4th note of that scale, and the | | | | The Primary Piano Chords ("the fam") Of All the Major |
| 5th note of that scale. (Those are 3-note chords called | | | | Keys |
| "triads"—in another article we will get into 4 and 5 | | | | Here are the primary chords (the family chords) of all |
| note chords.) | | | | the major keys (remember that the primary chords |
| For example, here is the C scale on the keyboard. It | | | | are the I chord, the IV chord, and the V chord based |
| runs from C up to C and octave higher. The I chord is | | | | on the scale of that particular key): |
| built on the first note of the C scale, and so on: | | | | Key of C: C, F, G |
| So if I build a chord on the "I"—every other scale | | | | Key of G: G, C, D |
| note up from C, the chord is C, E, and G—known | | | | Key of D: D, G, A |
| as the "C major chord". | | | | Key of A: A, D, E |
| If I build a chord on the "IV"—every other scale | | | | Key of E: E, A, B |
| note up from F, the chord is F, A, and C—known | | | | Key of B: B, E, F# |
| as the "F major chord". | | | | Key of F: F, Bb, C |
| If I build a chord on the "V"—every other scale | | | | Key of Bb: Bb, Eb, F |
| note up from G, the chord is G, B, and D—known | | | | Key of Eb: Eb, Ab, Bb |
| as the "G major chord". | | | | Key of Ab: Ab, Db, Eb |
| Please notice, if you haven't already, that those 3 | | | | Key of Db: Db, Gb, Ab |
| chords contain ALL the notes in the C scale! | | | | Key of Gb: Gb, Cb, Db |
| So what? | | | | Do you have to know all these chords in all these |
| So any melody – tune – in the key of C | | | | keys? |
| (as long as it just uses the 8 notes of the scale) can | | | | No. |
| be harmonized just by playing one of those 3 chords! | | | | You can choose to play in just one key, or just a few |
| Think about that—that's a HUGE insight that | | | | keys. |
| most people never get. | | | | But what you MUST know is the 3 chords in |
| So, in any given key you can play in, there are | | | | whatever key you want to play in! That means that |
| PRIMARY CHORDS—chords that occur way | | | | the stark beginner can learn 3 chords in just a few |
| more than other chords. They are like family members | | | | minutes, and be able to play along with thousands of |
| of that particular key. | | | | tunes, because most folk songs, hymns, country songs, |
| At your house, let's say you have 3 people in your | | | | and many rock songs just use the 3 basic chords. |
| family—your spouse, your child, and you. On the | | | | That's why people who know zilch about music can |
| same block, but down the street a few houses, lives | | | | pick up a guitar, learn 3 chords, and strum along while |
| your cousin and her family. | | | | singing everything from "On Top Of Old Smoky" to |
| At any given moment, who are the most likely people | | | | "Amazing Grace" to "My Country 'Tis Of Thee" to |
| to be in your house? | | | | "Auld Lang Syne" to "Silent Night" to—well, you |
| The Terminator? | | | | get the idea. And not only a guitar, but a piano, |
| Hillary? | | | | keyboard, or whatever. |
| Dubba? | | | | |