I Recommend

Mariocast!

This guy knows his music. Check out one of his more recent podcasts on music theory here:

Feel free to check out his youtube channel also on the link for product reviews, online music lessons and piano tutorials.

Is Piano Theory Important?

Yes .. and no.

As a self-taught pianist, I have over the years come to appreciate music in all it's forms, including the theory side. It has really showed me how it all fits together not just in a musical sense but expresses pure logic both in and out of the musical world. Having said this I would greatly incourage anyone to one day learn music theory in all its aspects, however, if your just starting out you don't need to know much at all.

Music theory isn't necessary (there I said it) for those who are just wanting to learn there favourite songs or tunes on the piano. I see it more as an extension of music that people grow to appreciate as they appreciate music more. 

Because of this I created pianochordmethod.blogspot.com

Although there are many methods of learning piano out there I thought the methods I relate are simple and easy to understand with a little practice. I intend to allow the site to grow more and more in the future.

Minor Chords

Minor chords

Once you have an understanding of major chords, minor chords will be easier to learn. The fundamental difference between these to types of chords is that minor chords sound a lot 'unhappier' than major chords, drowning almost. Nonetheless, there is a formula!

To play a minor chord you play the root note, skip 2 keys and play the next note and finally, skip 3 keys and play the next note.

This is the Minor Chord Formula!

Root + Skip 2 + Skip 3

 Notice how this is the reverse of the major chord!

For example, choose any note to start, in this case C:

So here we have played the root note C, skipped 2 notes and played the next note Eb, and finally skipped 3 notes and played the next note G. This gives us a C Minor Chord.

Following this formula will always give you the minor chord for which ever root note you choose. For instance:

This is a D Minor Chord. D is the root, skip 2 notes and play F, then skip 3 notes and play A.

The best way to become familiar with this method is to practice practice practice! 

Remember: Root note + Skip 2 notes and play the next one + Skip 3 notes and play the next one