How to Find the Root of Any Chord (from beginner to advanced examples) | Theory Fundamentals Ep. 1

Wondering how to find the root of a chord? Here is a failsafe method of finding chord roots, with a beginner, intermediate, and an advanced example! Knowing how to find chord roots is one of the first and most important steps in understanding theory and harmony. And yes, theory knowledge actually DOES help us play and perform when we apply it in our practice!

Charles Szczepanek is an international prize-winning pianist, has collaborated with GRAMMY Award winners, and has taught music for over 20 years to everyone from his next-door neighbor to finalists on NBC's America's Got Talent. Through Pianist Academy, he now brings that wealth of knowledge to you: the beginner, the intermediate, the professional, or the fellow music teacher.

Chapters:
00:00 - Why Chord Roots Are Important
00:39 - "Stacking" 3rds
01:52 - Beginner Example
04:13 - Intermediate Example
09:09 - Intro to Advanced Example
10:55 - Advanced Example Walkthrough
16:27 - Summary

#musictheory
#pianolessons
#musiclessons
#pianistacademy
#charlesszczepanek

[brendamengeling]

This was very helpful! I have a few pieces with “interesting “ chords, where I have struggled to know what to call them, as they aren’t simple inversions. Thanks!

[healer]

Thanks for starting a theory series! Another really great video, and so helpful.

[xerintha]

I always love watching your videos! Thank you!

[bunnyhollowcrafts]

This was so awesome! Inversions turned my world around and this little nugget made it all make more sense. Thank you!!!

[sylvainmessier]

This is very clear and comprehensive. Thank you!

[BedlingtonGroomer]

Thank you for this great video! I learned much once again!

[Pablo.Albino]

That is a great approach! Regards from Brazil!

[LegioPiano]

Extremely well explained! Very useful. I Subscribed👍

[xerintha]

Inversions! I'm learning about those now too. :) I love this method of finding the root! And I was successful figuring out the root of the exercise you put up for us. Thank you!

[YaelEylatTanaka]

Is there a fast way to determine that the first set of 4 notes is a C maj 7th without all these acrobatics? Musicians seem to do this instinctively.

[PanopticMotion]

You only say stacking thirds. Is there a specific reason for not mentioning that the thirds in the major scale consist of a major third followed by a minor third intervals when discussing stacking thirds?

[Ziel]

I'm not sure about the last one. That's the problem with extended harmony for me... It could be G#min7/b13, Emaj7/9 or even Badd11/13? Extended chords don't need to have all the notes in thirds, you can have just some extensions tacked on top, and your method doesn't really cover that.

[nandovancreij]

something ive always wondered is what the difference between 6th chords and 7th chords is, like isnt any 6th chord readable as a 7th chord in first inversion

[OlaOluwa-gm]

How can I get the root chord of any minor keys on keyboard