What’s the best way to teach chords?
I think I’ve figured it out
Theory is the backbone of creativity. Without a solid understanding, compositions and improvisations will likely sound either boring or messy.
The problem is, theory has a bit of a reputation for being boring.
That’s a shame.
I find that if you make it relevant and practical, the majority of students enjoy learning theory.
On the other hand if you teach theory from a textbook away from an instrument, only the nerdiest of kids will enjoy it.
(Full disclosure: I was one of those kids).
These books make learning chords practical
These past few weeks I’ve been working with Ruth Alberici of MyMusicResource.com to design the best resource for teaching chords.
I’m delighted to say that we’ve just released Piano Chords in All Major and Minor Keys: Everything You’ll Ever Need to Understand Chords.
Not only that, but our first review has arrived!
It’s best to learn chords within a key, so we’ve created tables that will give your students a simple overview of what chords they are likely to encounter in whatever major key they’re playing (we’re currently working on the minor key edition).
We also highly recommend that the student figures this all out for themselves, so we’ve included a complete set of worksheets like this:
There are other worksheets too!
Besides the chords in keys section, we’ve included:
a blank chord worksheet page that you can use with any key, including minors and modes
a worksheet that uses Roman numerals to transpose chord progressions
a simple visual guide to good voice leading, in worksheet form
a worksheet so your student can figure out popular chord progressions in every major key
I’m particularly happy with the worksheet Crafting Good-Voice Leading. I use this in lessons all the time, and it’s brilliantly simple so students of all ages grasp it really quickly.
On top of that, there’s a bunch of appendices that explain the theory in plain English. That’s crucial — I can’t stand theory books where the language is excessively complex!
Inspired by what my students need
This book is the product of a great deal of thought about what my students need. They learn theory best when they can visualise it and grasp it in their hands. That’s why the worksheets are so effective, much more so than any other resource I’ve found. I use it in my lessons all the time.
I hope you’ll find as useful as I do!