Playing, Part 1
Chapter 10: Intervals and Chords
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Start building harmony: measure intervals from the major scale, use them in songs, form three-note triads, and play diatonic chord progressions.
Introduction to Intervals
Begin the theory behind intervals, learning to measure the distance between two notes by counting letter names from the bottom up.
Using Intervals in Songs
Hear how major and minor 2nds shape real melodies, and discover why these whole- and half-step intervals are the everyday building blocks of music.
Creating Three-Note Chords (Triads)
Stack two intervals to spell your first three-note chords, building major triads from a root, third, and fifth drawn straight from the major scale.
Diatonic Triads and Progressions
Build a triad on every note of the C major scale to reveal its major, minor, and diminished qualities and how Roman numerals map chord function.
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Key signature finder
Pick a mode and a key and see its sharps or flats drawn on the staff, the scale spelled out, and its relative key named — then hear it played.
Accidental calculator
Pick a key and a note letter and it tells you the sharp, flat, or natural that letter carries in that key, spells the note, and shows it on the staff.
Key signature trainer
A key signature appears on the staff, you pick the major key it belongs to, and you get instant feedback and a running score.
Scale finder
Pick a root note and a scale type — major, minor, the modes, pentatonic, blues — and see every note light up on the piano, spelled out for you.
Chord finder
Pick a root note and a chord type — major, minor, sevenths, suspended and more — and see the chord on the piano, named and spelled out for you.
Note finder
Pick a note and see every place it sits on the piano keyboard, named — and tap any key to hear it.