Question:
Ey everyone
I'm finally capable of finding the key of most songs by playing around, but I can't seem to figure out the progressions by ear. I know the chord possibilities are I ii iii IV V vi viidim.
Any tips or suggestion would be appreciated
Answer:
Originally Posted by bostykid Ey everyone
I'm finally capable of finding the key of most songs by playing around, but I can't seem to figure out the progressions by ear. I know the chord possibilities are I ii iii IV V vi viidim.
Any tips or suggestion would be appreciated Practice? That's really the only way to get better at that. At least, as far as I know.
What kind of songs are you trying to transcribe? That might also be a determining factor, as well, because some styles of music are typically easier to pick out then others.
Answer:
Just praise songs generally. I've noticed most praise consist of I ii IV V and iv chords
Answer:
Yep, you've nailed it on the head. I-IV-V and I-V-vi-IV are two of the most common progression in most modern worship music.
Typically, when I try to transcribe worship tunes, I latch onto the basslines for the roots of the chords, and then figure out where those bass notes fit in the key, and then try and figure out what the chords are from there. Are they major or minor? Is the bass actually playing the root, and if not, what is it playing? Have I heard this progression before? (even if it's in another key).
Eventually after enough practice, you'll be able to have all that going on in your head while you're listening, and then pick up your instrument and play it.
If you need any clarification on some of these things said here, by all means ask. I'm actually about to head off to sleep, but I'll be back around tomorrow afternoon, and I'm sure one of the other guys in here would be able to chime in and provide some more help (and probably better then I can). But, hopefully you'll be able to use these ideas to get a start on figuring some things out.
Answer:
O i see, so you basically listen for the bass note cuz most of the time the bass plays the root except when it's an alternate bass note chord like G/B.
hMm thanks for the tip, ima try to give that one shot
Answer:
Originally Posted by bostykid O i see, so you basically listen for the bass note cuz most of the time the bass plays the root except when it's an alternate bass note chord like G/B.
hMm thanks for the tip, ima try to give that one shot Exactly. For that style of music, that's one of the easiest ways to pick out the changes. And as you mentioned there are sometimes inversions, and those will probably be the things that throw you for a little bit of a loop.
Hopefully it'll help you out some.
Answer:
Try just listening to a lot of songs and picking out the progressions by ear. Worship songs are easy. Some of the best ear training, IMO, is all from transcribing and figuring out lots of songs with just your ear.