Berklee Keyboard Chords.pdf

FREE music lessons from Berklee College of Music Instant Keyboard Paul Schmeling and Dave Limina Lesson 1 Playing a Chord

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Lesson One

Playing a Chord

Chords (three notes at the same time) are used in most popular music. In a band, the keyboard and rhythm guitar usually play chords.

C Chord Play these three notes at the same time with your right hand. These three notes make up a C chord.

2

2

3 C

3 E

2

G

The black keys of a keyboard are in groups of two and three. Find the two-key group in the middle of the keyboard. The white note to the left of that group is middle C. Use middle C to help you find the E and G, playing every other white key. The music looks like this. Find the notes on your keyboard. Treble Clef

&

œœ œ C

2

E

G

“C Rock” This first tune, “C Rock,” uses a C chord.

1 1. Listen If you can play a C chord, you can play this tune. Listen to the keyboard on the CD. All it plays is a C chord.

2 2. Play Now play “C Rock” with the band on the CD. Follow your ear. Play long notes, short notes, loud or soft notes. Play fast or slow. Try to find a “groove” that works, and rock along! The “Try a Sound” icons are for those with keyboards that have several sounds. For this tune, if your keyboard has an organ sound, try using it. If your keyboard doesn’t have the suggested sound, that’s fine too. Just use what you have.

C C

C Rock ..

Play a C chord whenever you want. Follow your ear.

..

Congratulations! You played your first rock song!

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