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Chord of the Week

3/20/2022

«Understanding Chords on the Piano» ~ Introduction part VI ~

Practical Learning - Piano Chord Charts - Triads and four note chords
for Songwriters - Music Producers - Aspiring Composers

Chord of the Week
( Introduction part VI)

You can check out the link to my book under:

Understanding Chords on the Piano

Introduction part VI of blog

We will now continue with the 6th and last introduction of this blog. This
will be a summery and some more definition of chords.

Remember to go back in the blog if you miss out on something.

Before we start «The Chord of the Week»

I would like some help from you to tell me on INSTAGRAM what chord we should start with. It can be your favourite chord, or any type of chord. I can't guarantee it
will be your chord that starts the whole thing, but if a chord
is mention more than other chords on instagram
I'll chose that one.

Before moving on to chord
of the Week

Moving on
Finally we are ready to move on to the piano chords in the book.
All theoretical information on the chord charts will be available on all of the chords, so remember to take the advantage of this. Learn the principles of chords, it will give you more flexibility and save you time in the long run.

End of Introduction
part VI

That should be the end of all my «Introductions». Time to start, you’re on, follow my blog and enjoy the the madness of chords! 😅

Thanks for reading!

Every week from now you will get one N E W «Chord of the Week» , but first:

I would like some help from you to tell me on INSTAGRAM what chord we should start with. It can be your favourite chord, or any type of chord.
I can't guarantee it will be your chord that starts the whole thing,
but if a chord is mention more than other chords on
instagram I'll chose that one.

Remember to follow me, comment or join the conversation
of chords on my Instagram, and to register on
this website for free GIVEAWAYS.

Jml Songwriting Instagram

Jml Sheet Music Intagram

Stay ahead of the game
My descriptive explanatory piano chord book is now available on sale
for download here:

Understanding Chords on the Piano

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Chord of the Week ~ Intro part V

3/17/2022

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«Understanding Chords on the Piano»~ Introduction part V

Practical Learning - Piano Chord Charts - Triads and four note chords
for Songwriters - Music Producers - Aspiring Composers

Chord of the Week
( Introduction part V)

You can check out the link to my book under:

Understanding Chords on the Piano

Introduction part V of blog

We will now continue with the 5th introduction of this blog, but this time we'll
be talking about how to construct chords. Before we can start laying down
«The Chord of the Week» we need to know a bit about how the
chords are built, but we are getting closer. Remember to go
back in the blog if you miss out on something.

Chord Construction

Now back to the major scale. Do you remember the interval of thirds or 3rd’s? If you count to 3 from any note in the major scale and move by steps you will get a 3rd between the first and the last note you count. Take a closer look here:

C D E - 3rd between C and E
(Count 1 2 3 from the C-note)

D E F - 3rd between D and F
(Count 1 2 3 from the D-note)

E F G - 3rd between E and G
(Count 1 2 3 from the E-note)

and so forth…

Chord Formulas
The chord formulas are not too difficult to understand. If you construct a major chord from the 1st, 3rd and 5th step of the major scale, that also becomes the chord formula:
1, 3, 5

Some chord formula examples
C (1, 3, 5)
Cm (1, b3, 5)

Notice the C minor chord, the 3rd note has a b (flat) in front of it, this just means that you lower the 3rd note down half a step. All chords will be constructed like this, if you place a b in front of a note it will go down half a step. If you place a # (sharp) in front of a note than the note will go up half a step, as simple as that. On the next pages you will see more examples of chord formulas.

Chord construction
Remember chord construction is the same as the chord formula, a chord formula tells you exactly how a chord is constructed.
Take a major chord, the chord formula for ALL major chords are 1 - 3 - 5, this also shows you that ALL major chords are constructed from the 1st, 3rd and the 5th step of the major scale.

More about chords
When more than two notes are stacked on top of each other or played at the same time we call them chords. Two notes played at the same time is often referred to as an interval, or the distance between two notes. Two notes can also imply a chord or harmony. Sometimes we find chords with only two notes in music, like the 5 chord, often found in rock music.

All chords constructed from the major scale
This is important! Remember that the major scale has 8 steps and that all chords will be constructed from the major scale. When you construct any C chords; C, Cm, C7, Cm7b5 or other C chords, you must remember to use the C major scale. Similarly, if you construct any G chords you use the G major scale and so forth.

Remember the 8 steps in the major scale before moving on:

C major chord
Now let’s look at the C major chord under, only three notes built in 3rd’s, every other note from the note C, derived from the major scale, remember the formula:

G major chord
The same principle applies for all the major chords.
The G major chord is also built in 3rd’s, but this time from every other note from the G-note in the G major scale. The construction of the G chord and the formula is exactly the same: 1, 3, 5

G major scale
The steps are over the staves, and the intervals under the staves. Notice the # before the 7th note, you need this sharp to be within the correct formula in the G major scale. The formula for all major scales is the same: 2 1/2 + 3 1/2 steps.

Here is the G major chord on the piano, take a closer look at all the information on the chart:

F major scale
Notice the b in front of the 4th step of the scale, then you get the F major scale. The formula is still the same as all the other major scales: 2 1/2 + 3 1/2 steps.

The F major scale (one b)

F major chord
Compare to the C and G major chord.

End of Introduction part V

That should be the end of my «Introduction part V». Thanks for reading, I will soon be back for a follow up and continuation of this blog. Remember to follow me on Instagram and to register on this website for free GIVEAWAYS. Feel free to comment as well.

Next time we'll round of all these introductions, and then the exiting part starts very soon. In «Introduction VI» we'll round of with some definitions and a bit more talk
around chords. Belive it or not that will be the end of a super
long introduction of six parts to «The Chord of the Week» 😅

PS!
I would like some help from you to tell me on INSTAGRAM what chord we should start with. It can be your favourite chord, or any type of chord. I can't guarantee it will be your chord that starts the whole thing, but if one type of chord is mention more than other chords on instagram I'll chose that one. 😊

If this blog has value to you I appreciate if you follow me on Instagram under:

Jml Songwriting Instagram

Jml Sheet Music Intagram

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Chord of the Week ~ Intro part IV

3/12/2022

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«Understanding Chords on the Piano»~ Introduction part IV

Practical Learning - Piano Chord Charts - Triads and four note chords
for Songwriters - Music Producers - Aspiring Composers

Chord of the Week
( Introduction part IV)

You can check out the link to my book under:

Understanding Chords on the Piano

Introduction part IV of blog

We will now continue with the 4th introduction of this blog, but this time we'll
be talking about Intervals. Remember to go back in
the blog if you miss out on something.

Music Theory of Intervals

Short introduction to Intervals
Intervals in music are important, they tell you the distance between notes in music, melodically and harmonically. With intervals you can make any chord or any scale, this also tells you much about how music is constructed.

There are two intervals you should learn straight away; the major and the minor 2nd interval. With these two intervals you will be able to construct the major scale. Take a closer look at the Second Intervals under:

Half steps on the piano (Minor 2nds)
This is the smallest interval or distance between two notes on the piano:

Here is an example of half steps in music notation:

Whole steps on the piano (Major 2nds)
The whole step consists of two half steps. There will only be room for one note between two notes in a whole step. Take a look at the piano chart under and you’ll get the picture:

Here is an example of whole steps in music notation:

Intervals from first note in the C major scale
Take a look at the numbers 1 to 8 below? You will find the name of the intervals in the scale by its relation to the first note:

Melodic intervals
You can probably see this clearer below. The names of intervals are based on latin. Here they are in English:

This might be a bit much about intervals, but it is useful to know in order to understand the connections between chords and scales in music.

There are several variations of each interval. If you want to learn more about this I recommend you to search more on internet. We need to get on with the chords soon, but in the meantime you can take a look at the «Interval Chart» under for a more detailed Interval overview.

End of Introduction part IV

That should be the end of my «Introduction part IV». Thanks for reading, I will soon be back for a follow up and continuation of this blog. Remember to follow me on Instagram and to register on this website for free GIVEAWAYS. Feel free to comment as well.

Next time I will continue on how to construct or build chords.

If this blog has value to you I appreciate if you follow me on Instagram under:

Jml Songwriting Instagram

Jml Sheet Music Intagram

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Chord of the Week ~ Intro part III

3/5/2022

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«Understanding Chords on the Piano»

~ Introduction part III ~

Practical Learning - Piano Chord Charts - Triads and four note chords
for Songwriters - Music Producers - Aspiring Composers

Chord of the Week
( Introduction part III)

You can check out the link to my book under:

Understanding Chords on the Piano

Introduction part III of blog

We will now continue with the 3rd introduction of this blog, but this time we'll be talking about Music Theory of Chords. Remember to go back in
the blog if you miss out on something.

Music Theory of Chords

We need to talk some more before we move on to the 1st Chord of the Week.
Before we start laying out all the chord charts in this blog, I would like to go through some basic music theory. This will help you understand the subject of this blog and learn the principle of how to construct different chords based on the major scale. At this point we need to talk a bit about the major scale.

The Major Scale

The major scale has 8 steps, the 8th note is a repeat of the first note up an octave. If you read music you will be able to read the eight notes under. The same thing might be easier to interpret if you look at the ¨scale piano chart¨ on the bottom of this page.

The C major scale (music notation)

How to construct the major scale
If you take a closer look at the whole and half steps between the notes in the major scale you will end up with 2 1/2 + 3 1/2 steps. This will be the result, can you see the whole and half steps between the notes in the major scale?

WWh + WWWh (What a great heading) 😂
Here you will be able to see the intervals between the notes in the major scale, and remember it is the same for all of the major scales. The result is: (Whole - Whole - Half + Whole - Whole - Whole - Half steps. )

The intervals of the C major scale, music notation:

The intervals of the C major scale on the piano
Take a closer look at the information on this piano scale chart; 8 notes in the scale, note names, distance between notes or intervals; whole and half steps:

The same principal for all major scales
Here are two more examples of major scales, the G major and the F major scale. They also build on the formula 2 1/2 + 3 1/2 steps as you can see. So if anybody asks you how to construct a major scale, then you’ll know.

Major scale, interval content and transpositions
All major scales consist of the exact same interval content, so below you can see the G and the F major scale. If you compare all of them you will find that the G and the F major scale are simply a transposition of the C major scale. They sound the same, but will start from different notes higher or lower. Take a closer look below, even play the scales on your instrument, that will also give you a better understanding.

The intervals of the G major scale, music notation: (one #)

The intervals of the G major scale on the piano: (one #)

The intervals of the F major scale, music notation: (one b)

The intervals of the F major scale on the piano: (one b)

End of Introduction part III

That should be the end of my «Introduction part III». Thanks for reading, I will soon be back for a follow up and continuation of this blog. Remember to follow me on Instagram and to register on this website for free GIVEAWAYS. Feel free to comment as well.

Next time we will continue on the subject of Intervals.

If this blog has value to you I appreciate if you follow me on Instagram under:

Jml Songwriting Instagram

Jml Sheet Music Intagram

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Chord of the Week ~ Intro part II

8/21/2021

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«Understanding Chords on the Piano»

~ Introduction part II ~

Practical Learning - Piano Chord Charts - Triads and four note chords
for Songwriters - Music Producers - Aspiring Composers

Chord of the Week
( Introduction part II)

You can check out the link to my book under:

Understanding Chords on the Piano

Introduction part II of blog

We will now continue with the 2nd introduction of this blog, but this time we'll explain fully the «Piano Chord Chart Overview». You will find one more photo of the «Piano Chord Chart» underneath, this time you hopefully understand more of it.
You can always go back if you
missed something.

The Piano Chord Charts Explained

Chord Symbols
Musicians, piano players, guitarists and even bass players use chord symbols when reading music in a band, or when recording music in a studio. Understanding what notes to put together in a chord is important to be able to read chords or chord progressions. Chords are also important for composers, arrangers, music producers and songwriters. Understanding chords and harmonies will usually lead to more interesting musical solutions. Good melodies also arise from creative chord progressions.

Chord formulas
Chord formulas show you how a chord is created based on the steps of the major scale. If you take the time to learn the major scale, chord formulas and the intervals you will be able to ﬁnd any chord without using a chord chart. This is one of the purposes of this blog, to give you a greater overview and understanding.

Names of chord notes
Every chord consists of different notes, these notes are called chord notes.

Root colour coded red
The root of a chord is the ﬁrst note of the chord, and it helps to deﬁne the chord. You usually ﬁnd the root in a bass instrument, unless we are talking about a chord inversion, then another note will be the lowest note of a chord.

Enharmonic spellings
We use the term “enharmonic” in music when we want to point out that there are two ways to indicate the same note. For example Ab and G# is the same note, just spelt differently.

Chord notes in parenthesis
The chord notes you find in parentheses is what I call practical spelling. When reading notes in a chord it is easier just to read a G instead of an Abb, even if it is the same note enharmonically.

Piano Chord Chart
one more
time

Take one more look at the «Piano Chord Chart Overview».
We did this in the first blog post, but this time
with the above explanation in mind.

End of Introduction part II

That should be the end of my «Introduction part II». Thanks for reading, I will soon be back for a follow up and continuation of this blog. Remember to follow me on Instagram and to register on this website for free GIVEAWAYS. Feel free to comment as well.

Next time I'll continue on the subject of «Music Theory of Chords».

If this blog has value to you I appreciate if you follow me on Instagram under:

Jml Songwriting Instagram

Jml Sheet Music Intagram

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Chord of the Week ~ Intro part I

8/20/2021

1 Comment

«Understanding Chords on the Piano»

Practical Learning - Piano Chord Charts - Triads and four note chords
for Songwriters - Music Producers - Aspiring Composers

Chord of the Week
~ Introduction part I ~

Every week from now (for quite a while) I will present a new chord on this blog, but first I will give you some background for this blog based on my book «Understanding Chords on the Piano». This background will be presented in six blog posts ahead before the weekly introduction of chords will take place in my blog. I'll keep you posted, so pleas follow me for all the updates.

You can check out the link to my book under:

Understanding Chords on the Piano

Why this title

Understanding Chords on the Piano

I hope the title of this book will help you understand what to expect from this blog. I could have named the book ¨Piano Chords¨, but that would not be sufficiently descriptive of what to expect from this book, or blog. I hope the title ¨Understanding Chords on the Piano¨ gives you the picture. The intention is to help you understand how the chords are constructed, not only show you how to play them.

Why this blog

For some time now as a composer, songwriter, music producer and music teacher I've been wanting to write some books on music theory. So far I've written two books, one on basic music theory and one book on the subjects of chords for the piano. This blog will be based on the book about piano chords that I've written, and this book is also called Understanding Chords on the Piano.

Who is this blog for

This blog is especially intended for songwriters, music producers and aspiring composers, and for anybody interested in learning more about chords and music theory. I've encountered many creative talents in music, songwriting, production and composition. Often I see that additional knowledge of music theory is needed as a tool to further students creative writing and understanding of music. Harmonies and chords are are also important for the quality of outcome in creative music writing, so hopefully this blog will give you some insight on the subject.

Piano Chord Charts

In this blog you will find chord charts that will provide you with the information you need to learn more about chords. My blog will tell you how the chords are constructed and about chord formulas, chord symbols, names of chord notes and the root of the chords.

Learning from this blog

Remember to take one step at a time when learning piano chords or the theory behind them. Spending about 10 to 15 minutes a day on this chord blog or my book will give you good results over time. Understanding how to construct chords will also help you to learn and play chords quicker. That's how it is with most subjects, the more you understand the easier it gets.

What to expect from my
book or blog

Primarily you will find many explanatory piano chord charts that will visually help you to understand chords in general. By playing the chords you will also learn how the chords sounds. You will find:

Chord Symbols
Chord formulas
Names of chord notes
Roots (colour coded)
Enharmonic spelling for understanding correct chord construction
Practical spelling of chords

Take a good look at the explanatory piano chord chart under, it will
be a good introduction to the learning of chords
on the piano or keyboard.

Overview of my Piano Chord Charts:

End of Introduction part I

That should be the end of my «Introduction part I». Thanks for reading, I will soon be back for a follow up and continuation of this blog. Remember to follow me on Instagram and to register on this website for free GIVEAWAYS. Feel free to comment as well. Next time I will fully explain the «piano chord chart».

If this blog has value to you I appreciate if you follow me on Instagram under:

Jml Songwriting Instagram

Jml Sheet Music Intagram

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Magic by Sweven featuring Ingeborg, out tomorrow on Spotify Saturday 25th April

1/23/2021

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Music Video

MAGIC is a dreamy pop song, and synth based song produced in Jml Music Studio.

S w e v e n featuring Ingeborg

Sweven, featuring Ingeborg is now out with a new music video, some of the music video is filmed in the west of Norway in the summer, with fantastic scenery and landscape by the sea. Western Norway is famous for the fjords of Norway and believe it or not; Norway can get warm summers, even if our country is so far north. You will see the singer swimming in the fjords, we just had to film that, and what a summer.

Ingeborg about herself

Hi! My name is Ingeborg Modahl Trætteberg. I am 19 and have lived in Haugesund, Norway all my life. I’m in my final year at school and plan to start studying in the autumn.

I spend my free time with friends and studying. I’ve always loved singing around the house, which used to annoy my parents and two btothers at times, although they often enjoyed it too. My parents are not looking forward to their youngest child moving out in the summer. It will suddenly be very quiet in the house.

Recording vocals in Jml Studio

I got an offer to record vocals on a song in Jml studio, this was an exciting prospect. I was used to singing for myself at home, but this was something I could not say no to. I really enjoyed the whole process and working with a dedicated and passionate music producer.

Thanks to

Thanks to Ingeborg for singing this song. Thanks to Bjarte Grønner for making the CD cover and photo for my YouTube thumbnail for this music video.
Let's hope the Covid - 19 is soon over so we can start traveling again, to visit more scenic landscapes of the world. Stay Strong,

All the best,
Johan

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I Will Be There by Johan M. Leiva, feat. Kelsey from StudioPros on vocals

1/23/2021

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Music Video

I Will Be There
This is a pop ballad with a small amount of country influence, with female vocals. Johan M. Leiva wrote the song, and Kelsey from StudioPros is the singer on this album, she really has a great voice, take a listen for your self.

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You're Leaving by Johan M. Leiva, feat. Kelsey from StudioPros on vocals

1/23/2021

0 Comments

Music Video

You're Leaving is a dreamy pop ballad, very atmospheric and with ethnic elements in the start and in the end of the song. It's like a small musical journey of emotions and suggestions. Maybe You're Leaving is a love song and about two persons with different ethnic background. It definitely has a rather mysterious and visual feel to it.

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Into Nothing by Johan M. Leiva, feat. Robin Jacobsen and Elisabeth Moberg on vocals, Lyric Video

1/23/2021

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Music Video

Into Nothing is a song from a CD-release I did way back in time called Dreamworld.

From D r e a m w o r l d CD

Dreamworld is a music and sound project (CD-release) from Norway.
This project has come about in the true spirit of collaboration between musicians, sound producers, cover designers and the composer. Musicians of many styles have been a necessity on this project, due to the pluralistic style of the music.
Some of the tracks are a meeting point between different musical styles; Jazz, classical, folk, latin, pop, rock.
Have a listen.

Musicians

Elisabeth Moberg-Vokal ( - Featuring)
Robin Jacobsen-Vokal ( - Featuring)
Olav Dale-Soprano and tenor saxophone
Arild B. Nilsen-Trumpet
Sindre Dalhaug -Trombone
Johan Modahl Leiva –Guitars and synthesizer
Dag Arnesen-Piano
Geir A. Rognø-Bass Guitar
Stian Villanger-Drums and percussion
Ricardo Odriozola -1st Violin, 2nd Violin, 1st Viola and 2nd Viola
Sebastian Dørfler –Cello

Production team

Sound Produced by Jan Øyvind Hanevik and Håvard Matland
CD cover by Pål Hellesnes and Johan M. Leiva
Music produced and composed by Johan M. Leiva
Lyrics by Johan M. Leiva

Lyrics

Into Nothing
One thing we know
The world isn't changing.
We tried it all, but nothing is working
The makers of this world hold back all they know,
They betray all believers and make them fall.

I'm feeling sorry for myself,
I'm burning my feet
In the heat of the love you gave.
I'm going down with the ship,
I haven't moved my lips
since the day that you passed away.

Don't tell me a lie; you left a hole in the sky,
They call them Black Holes with the devil in mind.
Where are they now, the ones that rained away into nothing in this war?

We've read all the books and we've heard all the stories
the time hasn't changed, they will force someone else.
We've seen on the wall, the stains of the ruler.
He will never fall, he’s protected by law.

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<<Previous

Jml Blog

Chord of the Week( Introduction part VI)

Introduction part VI of blog

Before we start «The Chord of the Week»

Before moving on to chord ​of the Week

​End of Introduction ​part VI

Chord of the Week( Introduction part V)

Introduction part V of blog

Chord Construction

​End of Introduction part V

If this blog has value to you I appreciate if you follow me on Instagram under:

Chord of the Week( Introduction part IV)

Introduction part IV of blog

Music Theory of Intervals

​End of Introduction part IV

If this blog has value to you I appreciate if you follow me on Instagram under:

Chord of the Week( Introduction part III)

Introduction part III of blog

Music Theory of Chords

The Major Scale

​End of Introduction part III

If this blog has value to you I appreciate if you follow me on Instagram under:

«Understanding Chords on the Piano» ​

Chord of the Week( Introduction part II)

Introduction part II of blog

​The Piano Chord Charts Explained

Piano Chord ​Chartone more​time

​End of Introduction part II

If this blog has value to you I appreciate if you follow me on Instagram under:

«Understanding Chords on the Piano» ​

Chord of the Week~ Introduction part I ~

​Why this title

Understanding Chords on the Piano

​Why this blog

​Who is this blog for

Piano Chord Charts

Learning from this blog

What to expect from my ​book or blog

Overview of my Piano Chord Charts:

End of Introduction part I

If this blog has value to you I appreciate if you follow me on Instagram under:

Music Video

S w e v e n featuring Ingeborg

Ingeborg about herself

Recording vocals in Jml Studio

Thanks to

Music Video

Music Video

Music Video

From D r e a m w o r l d CD

Musicians

Production team

Lyrics

By Johan M. Leiva

Categories

Archives

Satara

Chord of the Week
( Introduction part VI)

Before moving on to chord
of the Week

End of Introduction
part VI

Chord of the Week
( Introduction part V)

End of Introduction part V

Chord of the Week
( Introduction part IV)

End of Introduction part IV

Chord of the Week
( Introduction part III)

End of Introduction part III

«Understanding Chords on the Piano»

Chord of the Week
( Introduction part II)

The Piano Chord Charts Explained

Piano Chord Chart
one more
time

End of Introduction part II

«Understanding Chords on the Piano»

Chord of the Week
~ Introduction part I ~

Why this title

Why this blog

Who is this blog for

What to expect from my
book or blog