The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #33253   Message #443294
Posted By: Bernard
18-Apr-01 - 07:26 AM
Thread Name: Help: Software to find key/chords of CD songs
Subject: RE: Help: Software to find key/chords of CD songs
There is only one reliable way to teach yourself to do this, and it takes time.

Do not rely on 'artificial' aids, as you must train your ear.

Do it by degrees...

This is the way I teach my pupils (and the 'first principles' I revert to if I'm having difficulty!):

  • Pick one chord from the tune you are trying to learn.
  • Try to hum the notes of the chord, then play back the track to see if it's anywhere near.
  • Now try to find a chord which fits those notes on your guitar. Play back the track and see if you were close.
    It's agonising trial and error, but it's the only sure way.

    As you correctly identify a chord, write it into your copy of the lyrics, and build up the song that way. After some considerable time, the chords will take on a 'character', and you'll recognise each one more quickly.

    Next, you will start recognising chord patterns (chord sequences), and be able to predict what's coming next. It really does work like that.

    Nowadays I can strum along to any tune, and people really believe I've heard the tune before...

    There are occasional chord patterns that don't follow the 'norm', but that just makes them easier to work out!!

    Admittedly this is a very abridged outline of my teaching method, but it really works.