Description

 

How this Chords Book is Organized

This book follows keys around the circle of fifths from C clockwise to C♯, then from F counterclockwise to C♭.

Parallel majors and minors are included in the same section.

For example, the section “Key of C” includes C major and C minor chords and inversions.

Students may further reinforce the quality of each chord by color-coding, circling, or highlighting Major, Minor, Augmented, Diminished, and so on.

 

Chords and Inversions

This chord inversions book includes major, minor, diminished, and augmented chords, along with their inversions.

It also includes dominant 7th chords and their inversions for every key, providing a well-rounded understanding of chords in all keys.

 

Chord Progressions

The book presents major and minor chord progressions in 3 ways:

• Chord progressions that start with root position chords
• Chord progressions that start with 1st inversion chords
• Chord progressions that start with 2nd inversion chords

 

Chords of the Key

The book presents major and minor chords of the key in root position, 1st inversion, and 2nd inversion.

All chords and inversions are notated with chord symbols and Roman numerals.

 

Enharmonic Equivalents

If a major or minor key doesn’t have a parallel minor or major key (G♯ minor, for example, doesn’t have a parallel major key), those progressions and inversions are included along with their enharmonic equivalent key.

For example, the section “Key of A♭” includes A♭ major and A♭ minor.

G♯ minor, the enharmonic equivalent of A♭ minor, follows the A♭ section.

 

Layout and Presentation

Chords and inversions are presented in quarter notes, half notes, dotted half notes, and whole notes.

Only essential finger numbers are included, keeping each page clean and clear.

The chords and inversions are displayed in the octave that promotes easy reading and comfortable playing.

Dynamics and articulation are intentionally omitted, leaving room for teachers to add these elements at their discretion.

 

Chord Symbols & Key Signatures

For diminished and augmented chords, the abbreviations dim and aug are used for the chord symbols, and the symbols ° and + are used for the Roman numerals to help students learn to recognize both ways of indicating those chord qualities.

Major and minor key signatures are included.

Accidentals and courtesy accidentals are added throughout the sections that need them.

Superstar Chords & Inversions book is a detailed and structured guide for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of chords, inversions, progressions, and more.

 

Teaching Flexibility

Use this book with elementary through advanced students by approaching it with Spiral Learning and the levels of understanding presented in Bloom’s Taxonomy.

For example, introduce Major Chords and Inversions for a variety of keys first, before working through minor, diminished, and augmented chords and inversions in the same keys.

Then circle back around to the next concept your student needs. Perhaps that would be Root Position Chord Progressions in a variety of keys.

Circle again and work through the next concept your student needs. This time, it might be Root Position Chords of the Key for a variety of keys.

Continue this process to meet the individual needs and goals of each student to help them gain a deeper understanding and better overall synthesis of the chords and inversions in this book.

Pretty soon, your late intermediate and advanced students will be playing dominant 7th chords and inversions in the key of A♯ minor!

 

How Can These Piano Technique Books Help Your Students?

The Superstar Inversions book is a terrific chord inversions book that can help your piano students with:

 

Additional Information About the Superstar Chord Inversions book