1. Understand Basic Chord Structures
Before you start recognizing chords, it’s essential to understand the basic chord structures:
Augmented Chord: Consists of a root note, a major third, and an augmented fifth (e.g., C augmented: C-E-G#).
Major Chord: Consists of a root note, a major third, and a perfect fifth (e.g., C major: C-E-G).
Minor Chord: Consists of a root note, a minor third, and a perfect fifth (e.g., A minor: A-C-E).
Diminished Chord: Consists of a root note, a minor third, and a diminished fifth (e.g., B diminished: B-D-F).
By recognizing these progressions, you can anticipate what chords might come next.
2. Learn Common Chord Progressions
Familiarize yourself with common chord progressions used in songs:
- I-IV-V: Common in many pop and rock songs (e.g., C-F-G in C major).
- ii-V-I: Common in jazz (e.g., Dm-G-C in C major).
- I-V-vi-IV: Popular in pop music (e.g., C-G-Am-F in C major).
By recognizing these progressions, you can anticipate what chords might come next.
3. Start with the Bass Line
The bass note often indicates the root of the chord. Follow these steps:
Test potential chords: If the bass note is C, try playing C major, C minor, C diminished, etc., to see which matches the sound.
Listen to the bass line: Identify the lowest note in the song.
Play the bass note on the piano: This note is likely the root of the chord.
4. Identify the Quality of the Chord (Major, Minor, etc.)
Once you’ve identified the root note, determine the quality of the chord:
Augmented chords sound unsettled or suspenseful.
Major chords sound happy or bright.
Minor chords sound sad or melancholic.
Diminished chords sound tense.
5. Use Your Ear to Detect Extensions and Alterations
Some chords might have additional notes (like 7ths, 9ths, or sus chords). Here’s how to recognize them:
Add9 or 13th Chords: Listen for extra notes that add color without changing the basic major/minor feel
7th Chords: Listen for an additional note that sounds a bit bluesy or jazzy.
Suspended Chords (sus2, sus4): Listen for chords that feel like they need to resolve.
Song example:
Howl’s moving castle theme song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwxatzcYf9Q
Gm is 90% the chord of the song as you hear them progress
With the minor rule 2-5-1:
2 dim 5^7 1m
Eo A7 Dm
Bb Bbm Am
So we are going to infer that the chords from c to b will be:
Gm A dim Bb Cm D7 Eb F
The chord for the song will be:
Gm Adim D7 Gm Cm F Bb Edim A7 C Bb A7 D