Topic: What helps YOU distinguish scale degree chords? (Read 5788 times)

chevonee · « **on:** October 13, 2008, 08:06:01 PM »

Some people say that a minor chord sounds sad...what else do you use to help you recognize different types of chords?

I'm posting this question because different people use different methods to recognize certain chords, I want to learn more so here I am...

Fenix · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2008, 08:17:59 PM »

Honestly i have gotten to the point where i can just recognize chord qualities without too much of a problem.

When i was first starting out i had criteria to judge what kind of chord i was hearing:
Happy

(major chords),
Sad

(minor chords),
"blues"

(dominant 7 chords),
"Pretty" (Major 7th or 9th chords).

That is pretty much how i do it. It is instinctive now, i can almost always hear what kind of chord is playing.

chevonee · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2008, 08:25:01 PM »

Quote from: Fenix on October 13, 2008, 08:17:59 PM

Honestly i have gotten to the point where i can just recognize chord qualities without too much of a problem.

When i was first starting out i had criteria to judge what kind of chord i was hearing:
Happy (major chords),
Sad (minor chords),
"blues" (dominant 7 chords),
"Pretty" (Major 7th or 9th chords).

That is pretty much how i do it. It is instinctive now, i can almost always hear what kind of chord is playing.

Thanks Fenster that's exactly what I needed!! I'm sure that, with practice, I'll be able to recognize different chords too..its pretty frustrating right now though.

Fenix · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2008, 08:53:59 PM »

Quote from: chevonee on October 13, 2008, 08:25:01 PM

Thanks Fenster that's exactly what I needed!! I'm sure that, with practice, I'll be able to recognize different chords too..its pretty frustrating right now though.

I am sure you can do it, you just don't know you can. After all you play primarily by ear (i guess) and when you pastor is singing some random stuff how do you know what is the right chord to hit? You can "hear" that is is going to be a major or minor chord.

B3Wannabe · « **Reply #4 on:** October 13, 2008, 10:04:27 PM »

I'll be the maverick here and equate mine to flavors.

Tangy - Dominant (sounds dissonant, but not too extremely)
Sour - Dominant+Major (roots of the two chords are a 1/2 step apart)
Spicy - Dominant+minor (roots are a whole step apart)
Bitter - Minor
Plain (bland) - Major triad
Sweet&Sour - Minor7, 9th, 11th
Sweet - Major7, 9th, or 11th

Some chords, like 13ths and diminished, I don't have flavors for.

I think this is why a lot of people make ugly faces when they're playing--the different flavors play tricks on the mental taste buds.

If you want to use feelings, then you can start with angry at the top, transitioning though indifferent for major, and ending on happy for the extended Major chords. The diminished and 13th chords would then be a "quizzical" feeling.

csedwards2 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2008, 10:13:26 PM »

diminished I think of like a scary movie, Phantom of the Opera or something.

berbie · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2008, 07:33:38 AM »

Diminished makes me think; going somewhere but not very far

chevonee · « **Reply #7 on:** October 14, 2008, 12:26:30 PM »

WoW!!! This is very helpful, thank you all so much for your help...you're the greatest friends anyone can ever have.

Fenix · « **Reply #8 on:** October 14, 2008, 04:56:36 PM »

Quote from: chevonee on October 14, 2008, 12:26:30 PM

WoW!!! This is very helpful, thank you all so much for your help...you're the greatest friends anyone can ever have.

**Cries too**

See now you made me cry...

chevonee · « **Reply #9 on:** October 14, 2008, 05:20:07 PM »

Quote from: Fenix on October 14, 2008, 04:56:36 PM

**Cries too**

See now you made me cry...

Ahhhh don't cry

T-Block · « **Reply #10 on:** October 14, 2008, 11:53:17 PM »

Quote from: chevonee on October 14, 2008, 05:20:07 PM

Ahhhh don't cry

Let him cry. Ain't he usually the one that punches u in the gut? LOL.

chevonee · « **Reply #11 on:** October 15, 2008, 10:57:45 AM »

Quote from: T-Block on October 14, 2008, 11:53:17 PM

Let him cry. Ain't he usually the one that punches u in the gut? LOL.

Indeed, that reminds me..its been a while

*kicks Fenix in the shin*

SirTJ · « **Reply #12 on:** October 15, 2008, 11:34:15 AM »

You know, this a very smart post. Now when I'm playing a song and I want to throw in something "Tangy", I'll know to go for a dominant. Want to mix things up with a little "Spice"? Throw in that Minor as well.

Thumbs up, fam!

Fenix · « **Reply #13 on:** October 15, 2008, 12:08:48 PM »

Quote from: SirTJ on October 15, 2008, 11:34:15 AM

You know, this a very smart post. Now when I'm playing a song and I want to throw in something "Tangy", I'll know to go for a dominant. Want to mix things up with a little "Spice"? Throw in that Minor as well.

Thumbs up, fam!

You are welcome Sarah.