How Do You Play Piano Chords From Sheet Music?
Popular piano music often includes the guitar chords above the melody line. You can use these on the piano for a quick play-through of the song or as a guide to the basic chord structure so that you can improvise. Either way, this article explains some shortcuts to sight-reading sheet music. Check the beginning of the line for the key signature. This will help you identify the tonic (home) chord for the song and remind you of what notes to alter as you build your chords. A key signature of one sharp indicates that the song is in the major key of G and that the D chord will have an F# in it. Look at the chord names written above the melody line. Find each one with your left hand on the piano. Start with simple voicings. Once you are comfortable playing each chord, try your first run through. Pay attention to the indicators for minor and seventh chords. A chord with only a letter name indicates a major chord. A small “m” after the name indicates a minor chord. Add a sixth or seventh only
