Learn to play by ear using chord tones (Part two)
Here’s part two of Brad’s article on playing melodies and improvising by ear using the notes of a song’s chords. It’s part of our series on learning to play by ear. You should start with part one if you haven’t already read it! Welcome...
Learn to play by ear using chord tones (Part one)
This week in our playing-by-ear series guitar teacher Brad Mavin shares a process he uses for learning to play songs by ear on guitar. A fun exercise that I like to do with students is to play along with a popular four chord song. Identify the key and make music using...
Listen Close: "Pagan Poetry" by Björk
Find out what makes “Pagan Poetry” by Björk such a special track, and how you can use it to improve your musical listening skills through ear training.
Don’t get stuck writing ‘four-chord songs’
If you write songs, you’ve probably been faced with the troubling ‘blank page’ syndrome when choosing chords. Learn how to get unstuck and write better songs.
The most important four-chord progression: vi-IV-I-V
Did you know there is one four-chord progression used more than any other in pop and rock music? Find out what it is and how to use it to play songs by ear.
Meet vi, the sad twin of the chord family
Are you looking to play pop songs by ear or improve your music transcription skills? Want to spice up your song-writing? Have you heard of a ‘four chord song’ and wondered what that means? My recent articles have explained the 3 chords every musician...
Four Chords and the Truth
Did you know: a huge number of popular songs use just four chords. Find out which four and why in this article, and learn how to write your own 4-chord songs.
