If you’re a piano teacher looking to expand your curriculum and offer your students a valuable skill that they can carry with them throughout their musical journey, teaching chord charts in your piano studio is an excellent option.
Chord charts provide a roadmap to understanding harmony, which is fundamental in music theory and performance.
In my 20+ years of teaching piano, I’ve had several opportunities to teach chord chart reading, and each time it has been a rewarding experience.
It’s a fantastic “break” from normal lessons, and it offers students a fresh wave of inspiration.
Chord chart reading is indeed a new skill – a skillset that is similar to reading sheet music, but is different enough that it sparks creativity and motivation.
Why Learn How to Read Chord Charts?
Chord charts are a versatile tool used in various musical genres, from pop and jazz to rock and gospel.
They provide a simplified representation of a song’s harmonic structure, allowing musicians to play along and improvise.
Here are a few compelling reasons why your students should learn how to read chord charts:
Real-world Application:
Chord charts are widely used in professional music settings:
- bands
- worship teams
- jam sessions
Learning how to read and play chord charts prepares your students for real-world musical collaborations.
Enhanced Creativity:
Chord charts encourage musical creativity and improvisation. Students can explore different chord voicings and create their arrangements.
Understanding Harmony:
Reading chord charts deepens a student’s understanding of harmony, chord progressions, and how songs are constructed.
Versatility:
Chord charts are not limited to pianists. Guitarists, bassists, and other instrumentalists frequently use them, promoting musical collaboration.
How to Add Chord Chart Curriculum to Your Piano Studio
Incorporating chord charts into your piano studio curriculum can be an exciting addition. Here are steps to help you get started:
- Assess Student Levels: Before introducing chord charts, assess your students’ current music theory knowledge and piano skills. Ensure they have a strong foundation in reading sheet music and understanding scales.
- Gradual Introduction: Start with basic concepts and progressively introduce more complex topics. Begin with simple chord progressions in familiar keys and gradually advance to more intricate arrangements.
- Supplemental Materials: Invest in chord chart books, or look into online resources such as Ultimate Guitar. These materials can be instrumental in teaching this skill effectively.
- Application in Repertoire: Incorporate chord charts into your students’ repertoire. Encourage them to play familiar songs using chord charts alongside traditional sheet music.
Start With A Music Theory Review
Notes and Steps
Before diving into chord charts, it’s crucial to review essential music theory concepts with your students. Ensure they have a solid grasp of notes on the keyboard and understand the concept of whole and half steps.
Major Scale Pattern of Whole and Half Steps
Teaching your students about the major scale’s pattern of whole and half steps is fundamental. This knowledge serves as the basis for building chords and understanding the structure of chord progressions.
Building Chords in the Major Scale
Introduce the concept of chord construction using the major scale. Show your students how to build major and minor triads and explore the relationship between scale degrees and chord types. This theoretical foundation will make chord charts more accessible.
Charting the Path of Chord Charts in Your Piano Studio
Review Roman Numerals
Roman numerals are often used to represent chords in chord charts. Ensure your students are comfortable with associating Roman numerals with scale degrees and chord types. This will allow them to quickly interpret chord symbols in charts.
Chord Progressions
Explain the significance of chord progressions in music. Help your students identify common chord progressions, such as the I-IV-V in a major key or the ii-V-I in jazz. Chord progressions are the backbone of many songs and understanding them is crucial when reading chord charts.
The Bass Line
Emphasize the importance of the bass line in chord charts. The bass note determines the inversion of the chord and greatly influences the overall sound. Practice playing chords with different bass notes to illustrate this concept.
The Difference Between a Chord Chart and Lead Sheet
It’s essential to clarify the distinction between chord charts and lead sheets. Chord charts primarily focus on harmony and chord symbols, while lead sheets include melody lines and lyrics in addition to chords. Make sure your students understand when and how to use each type of chart.
Inversions
Teach your students about chord inversions and their significance in chord charts. Show them how inversions can create smoother transitions between chords and add variety to their playing. Practice playing chords in different inversions to develop this skill.
Final Thoughts on Teaching Chord Charts in Your Piano Studio
Incorporating chord charts into your piano studio’s curriculum can open up exciting possibilities for your students. It not only equips them with valuable skills for collaborative music-making, but also deepens their understanding of harmony and musical structure.
With a strong theoretical foundation and gradual progression, your students will be well-prepared to read and interpret chord charts confidently!
How do you go about Teaching Chord Charts in Your Piano Studio?
What special tips and tricks do you have for teaching chord charts in your piano studio? Are there specific songs you always start with? Share your thoughts in a comment below!
About Christine Passig
Christine Passig has taught piano for over 20 years in her home in Minnesota. She is an accomplished songwriter and musician, performing solo and with her band, JustUs. She was also a Worship Director for 13 years, and owns Belt Out Your Band, LLC, developing chord chart workbooks, piano practice incentive programs, and organizational tools for piano teachers.
Christine’s beginning chord chart workbook, ChordSense, is available in the Belt Out Your Band Etsy shop.
Follow Christine on her website: www.christinepassig.com
More Resources from Music Game Club that will help you in teaching Chord Charts in your piano studio
- Fun Ways to Teach Major Scales Patterns
- How to Teach Chords to Piano Students
- How to Start Teaching Piano Students Music Composition
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