Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In this lesson, we will learn all about chords and their role in a piece of music. We will learn how to construct a triad, the difference between major and minor chords, and how to play Am and Em chords on a variety of instruments. Finally, we will be able to show off what we have learned by playing along to a backing track.

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

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10 Questions

Q1.
What is a chord?
A melody
A single note
Correct answer: Two or more notes played at the same time
Q2.
Which of these instruments can play a chord on its own?
Correct answer: Guitar
Saxophone
Voice
Q3.
How many notes are in a triad?
2
Correct answer: 3
4
Q4.
How can you work out a triad on a keyboard?
Miss one, press one, miss one
Press one, miss one, miss one
Correct answer: Press one, miss one, press one
Q5.
What are the pitches of an Am triad?
ABC
Correct answer: ACE
ADF
Q6.
What should you do when you play sustained chords?
Correct answer: Play held on chords
Play short chords
Play triads
Q7.
What instrument is this chart for?
Correct answer: Guitar
Keyboard
Ukulele
Q8.
What chord does this chart show?
Am
C major
Correct answer: Em
Q9.
What is 'strumming'?
When you hit the strings
When you pluck the strings
Correct answer: When you sweep your fingers across the strings
Q10.
What fingers can you use to play a triad on the keyboard?
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 4
Correct answer: 1, 3, 5

Lesson appears in

UnitMusic / Band Musicianship 1: The four-chord trick