Piano Clues

To illustrate certain concepts on this blog, I usually include a recording. These recordings are in MIDI format, not MP3.

There are two reasons for using MIDI: 1) the files are very small so they download quickly, and more importantly 2) you can follow along with my playing on your computer screen.

MIDI files are not audio recordings. They are more like sheet music in electronic form. In other words, MIDI does not capture the sound waves coming from my digital piano, but rather which keys I press and how long I hold them down.

You can play these MIDI files directly from your web browser. But there is a better way:

(more…)

Let’s start by looking at chords. In future articles I’ll go into greater depth: how to construct chords, how to use them, and why you would want to use them — even if you’re a classical player.

But for now, a quick overview.

What is a chord?

If you’re wondering exactly what a chord is: You make a chord by playing 3 or more tones together. That’s it, as simple as that.

But which tones? Well, that depends on what you want to use the chord for.

Not all chords are the same. There are roughly six different types of chords and each of these types has its own function in the language of music.

(more…)