Erskine Hawkins /
Chord Theory /
UPDATED Nov 8, 2022
SHARE THIS:
If you’ve spent any time on Pianote, you’ll know that we love chords. Chords are the foundation to music, and knowing chords will unlock hundreds of songs.
So, it only makes sense to practice chords a lot!
But playing chords over and over again, solid and broken, can be boring. Luckily, Erskine Hawkins is here to show you a fun and musical way to practice your chords.
🎹 📝 DIATONIC CHORDS DEFINITION: Diatonic chords are chords built on each degree of a scale. For example, the “I” (one) triad of C Major is C-E-G.
Exercise #1: Diatonic Chords With Inversion Substitutions
In our first exercise, Erskine alters the iii, IV, and viio chords and turn them into the first inversion chords of I, IV, and V, respectively. This alters the sound of the progression but keeps everything built on the same degree of the scale.
Exercise #2: Diatonic Chords Under Right Hand Melody
Now let’s make our chords more musical! With your right hand, play a 5-1 pattern (G and C) and with your left hand, play the altered chords.
By the way, the Roman numerals under the chords are the chord’s diatonic names. The number indicates what degree of the scale a chord is built on. Lowercase numbers are minor chords. So, because D-F-A is built on the second note of the C Major scale and a minor chord, it is our ii (“two chord”).
The Arabic numbers after the slash in chords C/E, F/A, and G/B just indicate what degree of the scale the lowest note of that chord is. These chords are still the I (one chord), IV (four chord), and V (five chord), respectively because their root notes are C (I), F (IV), and G (V) — they’ve just been inverted.
Need more explanation? Check out our lesson on the number system.
Exercise #3: Playing 10ths
Now let’s take things up a notch. Try playing the same chords but flip the middle note up an octave. You’ll be playing tenths! This may be difficult for players with small hands, so if you can’t reach a tenth, separate the bottom note and the top two notes (more on this in exercise #5).
Enjoying This Lesson? Learn More From Erskine
Erskine Hawkins has played with names like Eminem, Zendaya, and Rihanna and he teaches a gospel piano course right here on Pianote! Erskine’s course includes exercises, eleven video lessons, and real song examples. For a sneak peek, check out Gospel 101. For the full package, become a Pianote Member.
Get free lessons, tips, and piano news delivered to your inbox every week. Subscribe to The Note!
SHARE THIS:
Charmaine Li
is a Vancouver writer who has played piano for over 20 years. She holds an Associate diploma (ARCT) from the Royal Conservatory of Music and loves writing about the ways in which music—and music learning—affects the human experience. Charmaine manages The Note. Learn more about Charmaine here.
The easiest way to learn beautiful piano chords.
Sign up for 5 FREE play-along lessons
By signing up you’ll also receive our ongoing free lessons and special offers.
Don’t worry, we value your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time.
We use cookies for traffic data and advertising. Cookie Policy »
OKAY GOT IT
HOLD UP!
Want to play the most popular songs on piano?
Grab the Little Book of Chord Progressions to learn the most popular chord progressions used in modern music.
No credit card. No spam.
Just awesome chords to get you playing.
Don’t worry, we value your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time.