FAQs – Page 3

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1. Continuation of Transcribing music

Q: Hi~! Sry to keep asking stuff, but how do you find chords? As in, for the left hand, how do you find the appropriate chord?

A: No problem..I’m always happy to share what I know 🙂 Finding the appropriate chord for an existing song starts with finding the key of the piece. The final chord in the song is usually the tonic (keynote). The first chord often is also, but because it sometimes ISN’T, you have to check the rest of the piece. Once you get the correct key, you can assume that you will be using mostly chords II, IV and V7. Write those chords down somewhere, along with the notes that make up the chord. Eg, in C major key, II = Dm = DFA; IV = F = FAC; V7 = G7 = GBDF.

After you’ve written down the notes of the melody of the song, start listening to the bass line (the lowest note). Chances are, that’s the root of the chord. Eg, if the lowest note is F, try playing FAC in the left hand while playing the melody in the right. If it doesn’t sound right, it could be Dm/F, which is Dm chord with F in the bass. Or it could even be G7/F you have to try until it sounds right. The melody notes also help you to decide. If it contains G,B and F, then it most likely is G7.

You need to prepare yourself by knowing what kinds of chords there are. Eg. Dim7, 9ths, augmented chords, added 2nds and 6ths etc. Google jazz chords and you’ll get a whole bunch haha! The thing about pop songs is that the chord progressions are used over and over again. Sometimes throughout the piece, except maybe at the bridge 🙂 So once you get the first 4 or 8 bars, the rest of the piece should be easy!

2. Uploading MP3 files of my covers

Q: Why don’t you upload Mp3’s of your covers. I would love to listen to them all the time.

A: You can try this link to convert videos to mp3 http://www.vidtomp3.com

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