A Simple Explanation of Chords and Keys

[@MrLarryMays]

Great mnemonic technique to explain to non-music person. Thank you!

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

Lol, I am one of those non-music persons! :) I am glad it has helped! And thank you!

[@MacCountyCabin]

I have been playing guitar since I was 13. I am 65 now, and for the first time, I understand it perfectly. Thank you so much! You are so right about books complicating it. I have been trying to learn how to play the dulcimer for a few months now and hope to become better at it than I am on guitar. I had to stop playing guitar after injuring my shoulder. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

[@newcreation55]

This video almost made me cry. I have been struggling trying to figure out what was meant by 1-3-5 and 1-4-5. Finally, you helped me understand! Thank you!!

[@susannerauch8237]

I do read music and have never found all that stuff as helpful as your lessons. I always had to go through the circle of fifths and all that rigamarole when I wanted to figure out the chords in a key, and this is SO much easier. Thank you! I LOVE this!

[@jgfreer8322]

Tried learning to read music many years ago .. had a very tetchy teacher. Concluded music was beyond me .. but THIS way, I am finally “getting” it - yippee!! (and thank you!!)

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

Thank you and that is very very nice to hear. I get it believe me. You would think after all these years they would have mede it a bit simpler! lol

[@sallystuart408]

Thank you! I do not read music. However, I dabble in guitar and plunk around on the upright bass and can usually figure out songs using the 1, 4, 5. I recently bought a used dulcimer and have been watching your videos. I'm eager to learn more.

[@sharonfidler2576]

Your teaching style is very good. I need simple. I read music and have for 70 years. Began folk, Celtic, and Appalachian a few years ago. So many of my friends who play this traditional music apologize for not reading music. IF ONLY you and they knew how I (and others) envy your abilities to listen, hear and play! After all these years I am trying really hard to learn to do what you do. Via the bowed psaltery, in its lovely simplicity, I am beginning to acquire these skills and transfer them to other instruments. Incidentally, it will be such a relief for gigs not to have to lug all that music and a music stand around! I'm just starting lap dulcimer and your lessons are just right for me. Thank you.

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

Sharon, Thank you so much for your insight and thoughts. I was once at a Christmas show and a woman came up and began ppointing her finger in my face telling me that I should be ashamed of myself for not reading music. She was elderly and truly upset. I just kindly smiled at herand just said, "I'm sorry?" :) I've actually been told you are not a real musician if you don't read music! None of this bothers me at all. Its just refreshing to hear your thoughts! Thank you!

[@AnnAndrews1990]

Great visual way to think. Most of us have 5 fingers and can count to determine the chord notes and chords c in a key. I look forward to seeing what other teachings you do.

[@DaveyP108]

OMG why have not found this info in 55 years of trying to learn guitar and any other instrument I play..I always knew it would be this easy. Thank you

[@myallforjc]

I just rewatched this befor the triangle chord lesson. How encouraging the first 3-4 minutes are for those of us who don’t read music or play other instruments are to hear. I wish everyone drawn to the instrument could hear this.

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

Thank you and please feel free to share this video! And I am sincerely glad this has helped!

[@jeannineeuckert6661]

This was a good reminder of things I may have learned long ago and hope to use more often now. Thank you!

[@LVSpeedweLL]

🌹🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 wow Brett, your sharing is like a Rosette Stone in translating what I hear my musician friends saying, into a language I can now understand. Thank you, big sigh, I might even be able to take a breath and move from fear to learning. 🌹

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

Laura, Thank you so much! That has to be one of the nicest reviews, compliments anyone has ever given concerning these lessons!

[@MsSmokyBlue]

I admit this, it took me 3 replays of your video, but now I am back to understanding, how to find the key to play in, the notes of that key.. and what the chords are. Now how to put it together, I hope will be another lesson! Looking forward, one piece at a time! Thanks Brett. :)

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

The notes in the chord are not nearly as vital in that we simply make or use chord positions and the notes are simply included. But the chords in a key are but will fall into place

[@raybaker-addy7600]

I've always been confused about notes in a chord (?harmony notes?)... this helps. thx

[@kevintheblacksmith]

Thank you for this . I understand now

[@1Sewstuff]

Thank you. It sinks in more and more.

[@raylovescm]

Well said! I enjoy your vids. I can't get out much now but I'm happy to see others making me happy.

[@peterlansdowne5044]

For the first time in my life I think I understand a bit of music theory. Thanks for simplifying.

[@shirleykinney4841]

This has really been helpful....now I think the lightbulb is getting brighter....thank you

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

I am sincerely glad this explanation has helped....it was always confusing to me as well so I am glad for the brighter bulb! :) I really really try to make thinks simple because that is how I need it as well!

[@kzoretic2]

I was a patreon of yours for a while - and decided to give it a whirl again. This video has me totally confused. I thought I had things figured out when when you did the 1 - 3 - and 5. But then you went to the 1 - 4 - 5 and after using the same words as before - I was confused - but then I saw "CHORDS" flashing on the screen. I am now totally confused. I wish you had simply recorded the lesson all over again with the correct terminology. Now I can't figure out the difference in what 1-3-5 is and what 1-4-5 is. That would have been so much better and avoided the confusion.

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

So sorry Kay, 1.3.5 are the notes in a chord. 1.4.5 are the chords in a key. I may redo the video at some point when I have the time to do so. Anyhow, I hope that helps! And thank you!

[@brendafisher3742]

Thanks for the explanation. Your explanation on this is way easier to understand then the other info I have been reading.

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

Brenda, that means alot to me! Thank you and I am glad it helped!

[@keithandlindabaldrey7413]

So simple but so rewarding. Another tradition, barbershop singing. Many of those people don’t read music either.

[@kdstinson4727]

Brett Rigeway, awesome video! I actually understand this. Thank you and I needed this!!

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

So glad this was a help Karen! And thank you for the kind words!

[@scottstubbs9913]

Wow! I've been playing guitar off and on for quite some time and no one ever showed me this, easy to understand. By the way I plan to stay on.

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

Glad to have you aboard! And thank you too for the comment and kind words. Oft times people makes things way to complicated and difficult. I strive to put it into an explanation that even I can understand! :) Please help share and get the word out!

[@whatsup1784]

OMG...thats the first time this has ever made sense to me...thanks for simplifying

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

I seriously consider myself musically illiterate...I usually hear blah, blah, blah when people talk music theory. So I am very happy this has helped!

[@pattien6687]

I wondered how good musicians could go from key to key and know what to play! You have revealed a deep, dark secret! LOL. My ex can play anything with a string on it but can't read a note of music. I can read music, it helps with knowing the rhythm of a piece. I am learning to play mountain dulcimer by Tablature so reading music is not a lot of help. I find I play better if I learn the piece and lay the music aside. Thanks for the lessons, I have enjoyed them and learned from them.

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

Thank you Pattie! I don't read music either< and even with tab< I might use it on the rare occasion to find the first three or four notes for a starting point and then it is playing by ear from there. And glad you are enjoying the lessons!

[@myallforjc]

This helped move the needle a bit for me. I still get confused about the difference between the notes in an A chord and the notes in a chord in the key of A. Thank you

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

Thank you for commenting and I DO hope this has helped! Notes in a chord - 1, 3, 5 / Chords in a key - 1, 4, 5!

[@barbknoll9111]

I am so encouraged by what I am learning! I have had my hammered dulcimer for 30 years and have never felt like I could learn it until I started following Brett. I am excited now for the first time!! Thank You Brett for making it simple enough for me!

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

Thank you Barb, That was very very encouraging to me and very kind of you! I am sincerely glad you are enjoying these lessons!

[@barbknoll9111]

I am going to the Evart festival here in Michigan in July and saw your name. I will let you know who I am at the festival.

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

I will have a booth, and would love to meet you!

[@barbknoll9111]

I will definitely seek you out.