Another common chord or triad is the minor chord. You know you have heard a minor chord when the chord sounded mellow and even a bit sad. A majority of the music from the Asian world is composed in the minor key, which gives a unique flavor, sometimes associated with Asia and nostalgic feelings. You too can build a minor chord using a specific formula, 3+4 semitone. Some of the most impressive classical music was composed in the minor key such as the Pathetique sonata by Beethoven, composed in the key of C minor.
Little did I know the importance of piano chords inversions when I first studied music theory back in the old days. I thought it was just a bunch of musical notes rearranged in different orders. As I started to understand a bit more about improvising, composing and music arrangement, I started to experiment with various chords inversions and got to fully understand the role of chords in piano playing.
Piano chords are the building blocks of music. They're also a shortcut to understanding overall music playing.
Just when you think piano playing takes too much time and you are about to give up, meet Patrick Henry Hughes:
Patrick teaches me much more than music playing; he teaches me how we need to count our blessings. His life reminds me that we each need to bring out our potential and touch others life.
"You are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14. Patrick shines!
Yes, Patrick was born with severe physical limitations: He's blind and can't stretch his arms fully. To many these birth defects are unfortunate. But Patrick is more than just disabilities. He doesn't dwell on his inabilities; instead, he looks at the gifts and blessings he was bestowed with. He truly has many musical talents: piano and trumpet playing and singing to name just three.
His life is a blessing to many. He teaches us to count our blessings and to continue to rely on the Lord who gives him strength.
Patrick puts many of us to shame. Now, we have no excuse not to use our talents and gifts.