Play Any Chord Without Memorizing Anything

In this tutorial, I'll show you a fast and easy way to find Major, minor, Augemented, Diminished, Sus4, and Sus2 chords by using the circle of fifths. And the best part is, you don't have to memorize anything! 🌟Get the download with the circle of fifths and all the tips for finding any chord here: bit.ly/4bJ5gQL
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#thepianokeys #pianotips #chordstutorial

[@ThePianoKeys]

In this tutorial, I'll show you a fast and easy way to find Major, minor, Augemented, Diminished, Sus4, and Sus2 chords by using the circle of fifths. And the best part is, you don't have to memorize anything! 🌟Get the download with the circle of fifths and all the tips for finding any chord here: bit.ly/4bJ5gQL 📕My chord book: bit.ly/3yIroH7 💡💡FREE COURSE PREVIEW: bit.ly/3MMnEyh 🎹 1 Year Piano Success Blueprint: bit.ly/4aDd07h 🌟 Piano Pedaling Tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpfCe51rbK19es0 🗒 Practice Makes Permanent Book: bit.ly/3uyfUK4 ✔ Get Weekly Practice Tips To Your Inbox: bit.ly/3Rwk3aN 🎹 REACH YOUR PIANO GOALS: thepianokeys.com 👉 Join My FACEBOOK GROUP: bit.ly/3w9o5sH Donate to support my channel: 💖 PayPal: paypal.me/thepianokeys Donate to support my channel: 👉 Cash App: $ThePianoKeys

[@richard135b7]

I'm familiar with the circle of fifths but no one ever explained to me the practicality of it in building the different chords. That makes it an exceptionally valuable tool. You're awesome for sharing that thank you!

[@ThePianoKeys]

So glad you found this information useful!

[@RickTai]

I have just started my piano learning journey at the ripe age of 58…. Finding chords just got so much easier for me, thank you 😊😊😊

[@ThePianoKeys]

I'm so glad you found my video helpful! Enjoy the journey!

[@kev12558]

I started at 60, 66 now, have a lesson once a week and loving it. Not easy but worthwhile. 😊

[@annamcdonald3268]

Brilliant !! Thank You very much ! This adds another well explained piece to the puzzle. I am so glad that I also attended your Chord Master live sessions and have the videos and worksheets in your 'All Access Pass' membership.

[@ThePianoKeys]

Thank you, dear Anna!

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

I love learning things about the Circle of Fifths/Fourths even though I think I've got a good grasp. Merci beaucoup.

[@ThePianoKeys]

Glad it was helpful!

[@WilliamMMiller]

I had not seen your thumbnail for this post but was intrigued by its title. Half-way through your video II had a similar reaction. "I kept saying, "How come no one has ever told me this???" The Circle of Fifths has help so much and now you've supercharged its importance. Thank you! Brilliant! Thank you, Marina!!!

[@ThePianoKeys]

So glad you liked the video! I'm not sure why many "purists" think there's only one way to learn theory.

[@dmswan3172]

Thank you so much for a wonderful and fun lesson, Marina - and the Circle of Fifths chart, which I printed to keep by my piano. It was so fun following along as you demonstrated how to use the Circle of Fifths to create all these triads- yet another of the multiple uses of this great, handy tool! It really makes learning theory a fun and hands on experience! 🎵💕🌹🎹

[@ThePianoKeys]

I'm so glad you liked it, Diane! It's just another way to reinforce knowledge of chords. 😊

[@aliceskewthorpe8991]

My brother composes country music, and said it made music easier for him... This is the first video where I've seen it explained so eloquently... thank you! ❤ I used to play by ear as a child... so now, I'm tackling it again in my 70s... (Bought keyboard during cv) These videos are invaluable.. Will print out the charts too Thank you for the opportunity... Bless... ❤

[@ThePianoKeys]

You're very welcome!

[@gossegfx]

This video was incredible, I am new to Piano and absolutely love all your videos, your my favorite piano teacher on KZbin! : ). Liked and Subscribed.

[@ThePianoKeys]

Wow, thank you so much!

[@gregrosendahl7362]

I once watched a video with Leonard Bernstein where he started at the low A on the piano and going up by fifths, he landed on the top C. He didn't say if the piano was designed that way or if it is just coincidence, but what also got my attention was that he got tripped up going through the progression, showing that even the most advanced and accomplished musicians can get confused at times. It made me feel a little better about myself. You wouldn't see that today with editing, but that was years ago and it was live.

[@aliceskewthorpe8991]

I feel there's a lot of maths logic in music... maybe that's why it's so universal... crosses so many boundaries... there's something for everyone!!!

[@ThePianoKeys]

Nobody's perfect. 😊

[@ThePianoKeys]

Yes, music and math are very closely related!

[@marjoriesell8079]

I never learned chords while taking lessons. I just read the music and play what's there. I play mostly classical. Just learned Schumann's Scenes from Childhood and love it! I have trouble with one of the 15 pieces.

[@ThePianoKeys]

That is usually how classical pianists do it, and it was also the way I learned. But after truly incorporating chord and scale theory into my practice, I was able to learn and remember exponentially more music.

[@brendarichardson1268]

This was a very enlightening session. Thanks.

[@ThePianoKeys]

Thanks so much!

[@RichardChurchUK]

Thank you. I've drawn the circle of fifths in my book . You make it very easy to understand.

[@ThePianoKeys]

You're very welcome!

[@gustavoatorresg]

Thank you for sharing Marina! Your videos and materials are super helpful. God bless u! 💖🙏🏼

[@ThePianoKeys]

Thanks so much!

[@chrisholland3552]

Very helpful video. Thank you!

[@ThePianoKeys]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dtreestudio]

Thank you for being there!😀 Your teaching is AWESOME!

[@ThePianoKeys]

Thank you so much!

[@stevendoust6658]

This is a very cool explanation of this concept 1st time I’ve heard of sus chords used this way thanks for the input 🤘🎸🎹🎷🥁

[@ThePianoKeys]

Glad you liked the video!

[@stephaniephillip4648]

Love this teaching, easy to learn. Thank you.

[@ThePianoKeys]

Glad it was helpful!

[@spotwms8768]

❤ WOW!! 👏 Great teaching video on how to leverage the Circle of 5th chart! This technique will surely help me with the # chords, Augments and Sus. Thanks!

[@ThePianoKeys]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ubuntu9408]

It will be super helpful with the letters on your piano

[@geraldadams9528]

Thanks for your teaching.

[@ThePianoKeys]

You are very welcome!

[@ScarletteFiesci]

Thank you Marina for this gem of a lesson. I wish you had been my teacher all those years ago. Seriously the Circle of Fifths and Fourths was just expected that we knew it and how to use it as was the use of the metronome. It was just accepted practice that knowledge of the these concepts and diatonic chords was known and if you didn't then you shouldn't be learning piano etc. The 70's were harsh lol. I know know all these things but mainly because I put myself out to read and take various courses as an adult. I am fascinated by the patterns you see in music anyway which are like light bulb moments. Once you get them, you open another door and I think that's why I didn't know, see or found it so hard and all the difficulty is somehow other dissipated or lessened because I have the knowledge to see what is happening and how to break it down. Amazing I know lol! Loved your secret hack on how to find the chords though. I have to say that when looking for the chords on the circle of fifths, my way is a little more complex than it needed to be so really grateful for your hack. Not sure why people give you bad comments as you intimated in the video. They are just morons lol! Thank you once again. Looking forward to the next one.

[@ThePianoKeys]

Thanks so much! I also was not taught what to do with the Circle of Fifths - I was expected to just memorize it and know that it represented the key signatures. 😊 I'll be making more videos about how to use this awesome tool!

[@ScarletteFiesci]

​@@ThePianoKeys That sounds perfect. I love the CO5's even more as an adult being a theory nerd and looking for patterns is such fun and makes the musical/piano journey that much easier. I think it's a traditional-training method that for classical pianists, a lot of the subject matter is just assumed. Honestly didn't realise it was a global thing until KZbin! Probably the reason why classical training prevents us from gaining the knowledge but mostly confidence and then experience to improvise etc. This overwhelming feeling of dread engendered by the expectation that we should just know what to do and fear of looking stupid when we can't lol!

[@ThePianoKeys]

@@ScarletteFiesci Yes! There's so much that can be improved in the world of classical piano pedagogy!

[@Harriet-Jesamine]

Minor Triad... Simply Flatten the 3rd. Bish bash bosh, job done.!

[@kristinepauwels4086]

Thank you so much !

[@ThePianoKeys]

You're very welcome!

[@user-lt1rb3jd6g]

Thanks so much 👍

[@ThePianoKeys]

You're very welcome!

[@robertforrestmontreal7707]

I am an amateur composer for full orchestra I was frustrated by the explanations of circle of fifths on line ,they were terrible I found your use of the circle of fifths for chords really refreshing Well done! Now I don't have to make a circle of fifths video

[@ThePianoKeys]

Thank you, glad that this video was helpful!

[@juancamusic]

Thank you!

[@ThePianoKeys]

You're welcome!

[@peterferguson3395]

Thanks!

[@ThePianoKeys]

Thanks so much, I truly appreciate your support!

[@janl5651]

Cool way of playing around with the circle of fifths (a fun pun - I couldn't help myself). Great that it is useful for more that just a quick overview of the number of flats sharps in various keys and correponding minor/major keys.

[@ThePianoKeys]

You're so punny, Sir J! 😁

[@gioseffozarlino1107]

Great, Marina !!! Thanks a lot !!! 🎵♥️🎵

[@ThePianoKeys]

Glad you liked it, Gioseffo!

[@gioseffozarlino1107]

@@ThePianoKeys 💐💕💐

[@marcelvdberg4140]

❤❤❤❤Thanks greetzzzz from holland🎉

[@ThePianoKeys]

Wow!! I've never been, but I know it's beautiful there!

[@kevinthegerbil2708]

For some reason I find the interval system difficult. May me issue. Nobody has explained the circle as simply as you. Very easy to understand your teaching method. I got it all the first time. Thanks immensely. Kev UK😊

[@ThePianoKeys]

I'm so happy to know that you found this helpful! People have different ways of understanding and processing information, and it's ok that the interval system isn't your thing. 😊

[@aloha1005]

Fantastic and so clear! Where were you when I was practicing my scales and memorizing how many and which flats/sharps per scale!? Can you expand this video with second and third inversion ?

[@annamcdonald3268]

If you are meaning Root, first, and second inversion. I originally wanted a chart for that too and then I was told by a very amazing piano teacher that writing them down on paper and playing them would help me to remember and it is true (after a while) unless you do not know the formula. Example - C Major - Root - CEG, first Inversion - EGC, second inversion - GCE. It also helps me to remember by playing the Root, 1st inversion, and 2nd inversion after playing a scale. That same teacher also says: "Repetition is the Mother of Skill". I am saying this stuff in a manner of light heartedness. I was not happy to hear any of this and now I am grateful. 🎹🎶

[@ThePianoKeys]

Just take each chord and practice playing it with a different note on the bottom - either the 3rd or the 5th.

[@jacksonamaral329]

I enjoyed it.

[@ThePianoKeys]

Thanks!

[@terrystaggs2537]

Great way of learning the circle you made it easy how about Claire de lune

[@ThePianoKeys]

I have a Clair de lune tutorial on my channel.

[@cabijista1]

You don’t even need the circle of 5ths. Just know your intervals, and the interval construction of each triad, or 7th or even 13th chord, and you can easily build them starting on any note.

[@corbettdennis6246]

Yes. I would say if you truly want to learn, then knowing intervals is the proper way to learn. I find it much more relatable to an actual piano keyboard than the circle chart also. But for someone who doesn't want to really learn/know then yeah use the circle of fifths chart as a cheat sheet. It can give you the answers like she explains (if you know those formulas) but I don't believe you're really learning the language of music that way. Just my opinion. I learned the "circle of fifths/fourths" by learning the key signatures when I was taking piano lessons. I actually never even heard of the circle of fifths chart/cheat sheet when I was taking lessons.

[@ThePianoKeys]

@cabijista1 I also teach that method. But wouldn't you agree that it's better to have several ways of understanding a concept than just one? Not only to reinforce knowledge and skill, but also for people who have different learning styles.

[@cabijista1]

@@ThePianoKeys I do think it’s very beneficial to have several ways of understanding a concept. Whenever I prepare students for theory exams I always teach them to check their answers via two ways of thinking, such as using the circle of 5ths and the pattern of tones and semitones to recall scales. But I would stress to students that using the cycle to find chords in this fashion should be thought of as a temporary aid as it doesnt teach you about chord construction and the system falls apart when you move into more complex harmony. If you understand for example that a Dim triad is comprised of two minor 3rds it’s very easy to then understand that a Dim 7 is comprised of 3 minor 3rds. Where as if you learn via this method you would have to say: inner note + next clockwise inner note that is also flattened + outer note next to first inner note + outer note that is dirrectly opposite first inner note on the other side of the circle. That’s a lot harder than “three minor 3rds”.

[@corbettdennis6246]

@@cabijista1 exactly why I agree with you and not with this instructor who is teaching by using a formula with the circle of fifths chart. You said it exactly how I was thinking, yeah what do her students do when it's a diminished, augmented, suspended or 7th chord. I'll tell you, they probably give up.

[@ThePianoKeys]

@@cabijista1 I agree with you! In fact I have courses on chord/scale construction and use that total about 10 hours of instruction, along with assignments to reinforce concepts. I also wrote a book on triad construction. So, you're preaching to the choir here. As an educator, I'm sure you know that people have differen goals and different learning styles. Not everyone wants to go deep or pass exams. I actually have students who have taken my chord courses, bought my chord book, and have seen this video - and they tell me that even though they understood what they learned in the courses and book, having this Circle of Fifths approach was super helpful as a visual guide. Also, when new-ish learners are getting into chords, it's often hard for them to identify chords in music that aren't in root position. With the help of the Circle of Fifths method that I talk about in this video, they can have a visual aid in figuring out the chords that are in inversions. Sorry, I don't have a whole lot of time to structure my comment better, but I hope you understand my meaning. TLDR it's better to have more options for the vast variety of personal goals and learning styles.

[@drdavebrooks]

I tried twice to get the download but no luck. Not in my spam or junk folder in case you wondered

[@drdavebrooks]

Thanks....it jsut came now after I sent the request a couple hours ago

[@ThePianoKeys]

Glad you got it!! Thanks for letting me know.

[@ianpeden2906]

Very helpful, but should have said which way we were going round the circle to start with. Anticlockwise it's the cycle of fourths.

[@williamburych2136]

I think it would be more helpful if you showed how to find each type of chord using the same root note...all using C as the root.

[@elizabethpace1591]

A wonderful and informative video 🙂

[@ThePianoKeys]

Thank you so much, Elizabeth! Glad you like it!

[@atroubadour]

how to play ONCE UPON IN THE WEST PLEASE

[@pleasantlindsey33]

All these years and this is the first time I have seen this used correctly. I have been guessing for years, lucked out I suppose.

[@ThePianoKeys]

Sounds like your instincts were correct! 😊

[@surprise3940]

Can you play the full-length of a song on piano? Beethoven's 9th Symphony, Movement number 4

[@ThePianoKeys]

I have tons of performance videos on my channel. But Beethoven's symphonies aren't piano solos - not sure what you're asking.

[@elisabettaricci5688]

Amazing and fantastic how you explain, and how you make easy rather annoying topics.

[@ThePianoKeys]

Glad you enjoyed it, Elisabetta!

[@DETERMINOLOGY]

Best way, Ear train and know theory

[@drummermike5150]

This right here!!!

[@ThePianoKeys]

Yup, and in this tutorial, I teach theory.

[@tucuxi70]

I find the title dishonest since in her instructions she states "remember..." and describes what she wanted you to remember. That is called memorizing!

[@KNIGHTJUMPS]

Replace everything with anything and your golden.

[@KaterinaZharaya]

Yes. Because thats exactly how society works these days.​@@KNIGHTJUMPS

[@danielkushla2383]

Whole whole half whole whole whole half

[@RhodieRowley]

Surely it would be easier, provided you know the scale, to simply play the first, third, and fifth notes of that scale get the triad? You won't need the circle of 5ths.

[@ThePianoKeys]

What about people who don't know the scale? Should they be excluded from beginning to learn about music theory? Is there only one right way? 😊

[@mrsavant6214]

This a very valuable lessons. I truly appreciate it. Thank you! I think you are an exceptional piano teacher and very kind and a sweet person on this KZbin Channel but much different on Facebook. There you are somewhat of a controlling dictator and somewhat angry it seems. It's like you have two different personalities one on KZbin and one on Facebook. Anyway that's why I left your Facebook page. Not trying to be mean just truthful in how I feel.

[@9HeXaCoN9]

Uuuuhhhh, tried to bend my keyboard into a circle and it snapped in half, do you speak english, I'm more confused now?

[@TokyoRomano]

I’m so lost and confused.. what’s the purpose of this?

[@richard135b7]

Learn the Circle of Fifths. Burn it into your memory even though at the moment you don't understand it. It is the core of music theory. As time goes on you'll come to understand it more and more and realize the importance of it in becoming an awesome piano player : )

[@ladyp5511]

Agree!

[@piper888]

What music school did you go to that didn't teach you the circle of fifths?????? I went to a crummy California Junior college ,and they even told us this 🎶🎶🎶‼️

[@ThePianoKeys]

I learned the Circle of Fifths when I was 8 years old. But I seriously was not taught what to do with it beyond its use for key signatures. I went to very well respected colleges, but my major wasn't music theory, it was piano performance.

[@jamesclancey156]

You confused my student with this convoluted methodology. Please don't make any more videos like this, instead keep it simple.

[@mrsavant6214]

There's nothing convoluted about it. All high level music teachers see the Circle as a valuable method in teaching music theory. With this perspective on building chords makes it even more of an exceptional tool. I am in awe of the genius who created C of 5ths. I think it's you who are confused as much as your student. Maybe you shouldnt be teaching piano until you yourself learn and understand basic music theory. By the way her way of explaining it is very simple Kudos to her.

[@jamesclancey156]

@@mrsavant6214 the c of 5ths is very useful. On the rest I must agree to disagree with you.

[@ladyp5511]

Agree! I am more confused now than ever with this video!

[@marjoriesell8079]

I never learned chords while taking lessons. I just read the music and play what's there. I play mostly classical. Just learned Schumann's Scenes from Childhood and love it! I have trouble with one of the 15 pieces.