Method and Techniques to finding a chord within a song

[Bigtime]

The tiny trick that I have to chord songs is alwayz find the bass note before the chord cuz sometimes the chord could be G/FAC and sumtimes it can be /FGAC which is still the same chord name but different way of playing it.....when i listen to a song i want that exact chord if the chord is /FGAC and not G/FAC the u got wit the first one........

*Give Your Techniques and methods to finding chords in songs

[Val215]

Yeah, I do that too. Also I listen for the last chord of the verse or chorus. It works well for me with some songs.

[Bigtime]

I was making sure it wasnt just me..lol....but yea finding the bass first is alwayz better........but if anyone got a different techniques post it

[Bweezle]

I sometimes listen for familar patterns. Or for the melody but I am doing it the long way. I feel like sometimes the bass is so hard to hear and most of the time the melody easier but I am gonna train myself to do the opposite. My piano teacher told me to do it the way you just said but i get too impatient sometimes. So I probably could kill more time if I find the bass first and then put chords with the bass.

[Keys410]

I usually will try to figure out the bass with my left hand while playing the melody in the right. Its probly a weird way but some how I am able to match the chords.

[T-Block]

Yeah, it's a combination of bass and melody to find a chord.  The bass tells you what chord to play, but the melody tells you what inversion to play the chord in.

[Keys410]

Yeah, it's a combination of bass and melody to find a chord.  The bass tells you what chord to play, but the melody tells you what inversion to play the chord in.

That helps understand it better. So is the bass usually the middle note in the right hand?

[Bigtime]

Not really....its more if u got the bass note and u listen to the song again ...knowing the bass note help find the right chord

[T-Block]

That helps understand it better. So is the bass usually the middle note in the right hand?

If you are playing a 2nd inversion chord, then yes it usually is.  Example:

C major chord in 2nd inversion = G-C-E

root is C, if this is a 1 then the bass note is also C

C / G-C-E

I wouldn't bank on finding bass notes that way cuz it may not work out like that all the time.  Sometimes the bass note ain't even found in the RH chord.  In cases like that, the chord is split between both hands.  Example:

F minor 7th chord = F-Ab-C-Eb

root is F, F is played in the bass, but Ab-C-Eb (Ab major chord) is played in the RH

F / Ab-C-Eb  or  F / C-Eb-Ab  or  F / Eb-Ab-C

[Keys410]

Thanks T-block for taking time to explain this to me. I am still messing around with the basic theory and chord charts. It's starting to stink playing by ear cause now it seems to be a handicap at this point.

[T-Block]

Take your time with it Keys, you will get it eventually.  I didn't have a choice but to learn how to play by ear, so I know u can do it too.

[Keys410]

See I have been playing by ear since I started in school never could read the notes fast but learned it by ear and remembered it. Now I am learning the theory behind it.