withCheryl Davis

Ever wish you could play equally well in every key? Here is your chance to improve your ability to play well in all 12 major keys. Starting with January, we will work on one key a month, and if you practice diligently each month, you will be very comfortable playing in all 12 keys by the end of this year!

Most of us tend to spend more time playing in the keys that are most comfortable for us. Follow this simple plan of focusing on one key a month, and you will increase your “comfort level” in all 12 keys!

The root chord (C major) is formed from the 1st, 3rd, and 5th tones of the C major scale: C, E, G. This is shown below in the root position, 1st inversion, and 2nd inversion, respectively.

The 3 primary chords used in the key of C major are based on the 1st, 4th, and 5th tones of the C major scale: C, F, G. Root positions of F and G are illustrated below. First inversion is formed by placing the root above the 5th tone. Second inversion is formed by placing the 5th tone below the root.

Remember: While you can add more interesting chords to them, most songs can be played in a simple, easy form by using only the 3 primary chords!

Practice playing the root (C), 4 chord (F), and 5 chord (G) daily until you are comfortable playing in this key. You can bring out the melody of the song easily at any point by choosing the key inversion where the top note is the melody note.

Primary Chords

C Major

G Major

F Major

C Major Scale

Note:

Tone:

Tip: Minor chords based on the 2nd, 3rd, and 6th tones may frequently be used in a major key. In the key of C, these would be D minor, E minor, and A minor. ( A minor chord is formed by lowering the 3rd tone of a major key one half step; the next key to the left, whether black or white.) Try this when you are comfortable with the primary chords of the key of C.

If you are already familiar with all of the material covered in this Mini Lesson but find certain keys easier to play than others, you will still benefit from focusing on one key each month, particularly the keys that you may be less confident in. You will be surprised to find how much easier it is to play in the “hard keys” with diligent practice. Take the challenge!

Thank you for checking out this Mini Lesson series. I hope you have found it helpful.

Cheryl Davis