Im trying to teach myself to recognise minor chords, should I
try and pickout the root of the chord. I can tell whether a chord is maj/minor
or diminished.
The way I interpret your question is,
"How can I recognize a minor
chord when I hear it"[/i] if that is your questions, then let me ask you
this; how do you recognize a Major chord? or an Augmented? or a Dimnished chord? I could try to describe each one with a words like Bright or Happy or Sad and that might work for basic chords, but what about more complex chords?
The ultimate answer is you need to sit down at the piano and play these chords and listen, really listen, to the sound of each one. When you listen
try to hear whats common and different in each one. Get some paper and wite down, in your own words, how they sound to you. Once you've put some time in listening then you should be able to recognize the chord when you hear it.
Try this exercise:The goal of this exercise for you to be able to recognize these basic
chords.1. Play these chords:
C Major (1 3 5 or C E G)
C Minor ((1 b3 5 or C Eb G)
C Diminished (1 b3 b5 or C Eb Gb)
C Augmented (1 3 5+ or C E G#)
C Suspended (1 4 5 or C F G)
2. Hold each one for 5 or 6 seconds or as long as you need to to hear whats going on.
3. Take 4 or 5 seconds of silence between each chord to clear your head and make sure you don't get caught up in the chord progression and are listening to each chord.
4. Get some paper and wite down, in a few words, how each type of chord (Maj, Min, Aug, Dim) sounds to you.
When you finish go to
THIS WEBSITE[/color] and test yourself.
Once you have it down then try it these same exercises in all 12 keys. To keep it interesting try it in this order; C G D A E B Gb Db Ab Eb Bb F (Cycle of 5ths).
Good luck, Hope this helps.
