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This book teaches a new method for learning piano chords. What sets it apart from other piano courses is that it teaches you piano by learning to read the chord symbols, rather than the notes themselves. This is especially useful if you want to learn to play from fake books.

A fake book is a type of music book that just includes the chord symbols, the melody in written notation and the lyrics. They're called "fake books" because you improvise or "fake" the accompaniment. Here's an example of "Oh Holy Night" in fake book style sheet music.

Click to download a printable "fake book" style PDF of "Oh Holy Night"

"How to Speed Read Piano Chord Symbols" uses a new method to teach you how to find chords. The greatest innovation of the book is the what the author, Nathan Andersen, calls "Nate's Three Finger Piano Method". This method is really a trick that helps you find chords quickly. It requires a little "musical math". Mostly, just knowing the musical interval of a fourth, which the book teaches in one of the earlier chapters.

The book is also exceptional in that it teaches the method in a clear, logical, easy to understand manner. You can try out sample chapters to see the quality of the book.

Beginning Piano Players

So you're new to playing the piano? If you're within your first five years of playing, this is a book you'll not want to miss. There are many other books that will teach you chords, but few will do it such a clearly illustrated and well-explained manner.

In fact, you don't even need to know how to read music to start. The book helps you out by writing the note names underneath the staff when there is actual notation used in the book.

There are clear illustrations in the book that allow you to see how the chords actual look, and understand their structure.

The book will walk you through step by step to how to find the chords. And not just find them, but find them in the way professional players use them. Most chord encyclopedias show the chords in a "theoretical" way rather than a practical way. Why learn the chords twice? "How to Speed Read Piano Chord Symbols" will teach you the chords in the way professional players use them.

More Advanced Hobbiests and Those Brought Up on Traditional "Technique" Lessons

If you were subjected to having your hand slapped with a ruler for not holding your fingers in just the right manner, or if your took 10 years of lessons and learned to play Chopin, but are mistified by a lead sheet, this book is for you!

It's kind of a "back to basics" approach that will teach you your theory in a new, more useful manner. In fact, many players will find they can pick up this method within an hour or two! They are shocked and surprised that they can play like an "untrained cat" who can let loose on the piano but doesn't understand "traditional" theory. You don't have to know what a "supertonic" is to make one sound swell!

In this book you'll learn to play from ease from fake books, jazz charts, lead sheets, or popular music that has written chords above the notation (which often have unpleasant arrangements that are frustrating to read unless you are a Mensa member). If you've ever seen the sheet music for "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman, you know what I mean. It's only four chords but the notation of the melody is extremely difficult rhythmically! The truth is, no one really reads sheet music like this, because they are already familiar with the tune. They music publishing companies don't even write in the rhythm for the second verse. You're suppose to "fake" the other verses based on the arrangement of the first verse.

This method will teach you to arrange in real time from sheet music, and make it sound smoother if the changes that are written aren't pleasing or accurate.

Although I thought I knew how to play chords from a lead sheet, my interpretation never sounded convincing. In one hour, Nathan showed me his voice leading method and there was major improvement. The lead sheet we worked on sounded smoother and more "jazzy". Later in the week, I purchased the sheet music of the song I had worked on. As written out by the song writer, the music was exactly - note by note - what Nathan's method had led me to. This method is going to save me a lot of money on sheet music!"

Matt Gandolfo

Step by Step Instruction

Ease of Use

Clear Illustrations

Overall Value

How to Speed Read Piano Chord Symbols - Sample Chapters

Introduction
Chapter 1 -- The basic elements of a chord
Chapter 2 -- How to find fourths
Chapter 3 -- Major 7th Chords
Chapter 4 -- Minor 7th Chords
Chapter 5 -- Dominant 7th Chords
Chapter 6 -- Diminished 7th Chords
Chapter 7 -- Major and Minor Chords
Chapter 8 -- Extra Stuff (9ths, 13ths, etc.)
Chapter 9 -- Mixing the chords with a melody, reading from fakebooks

You can download and print out these PDF files and read about the system in detail. Just don't forget to Then you can find this site easily, should you decide you want to purchase the book.

" Thanks, Nate. I only wish I had found this method when I started music years ago. The book has helped to give a logic to the keyboard that I did not get from conventional lessons."

- Dean Grindstaff,
bdgrindstaff@yahoo.com

"Nathan,
I downloaded your book. I must say you are a genius. You opened my eyes and mind to looking at playing the piano in a completely different way. I used to play chords with 5 to 6 notes and now I play with 3 notes, using your method, and the sound is so unbelievably rich."

-Rohan Corea

"It's amazing how much information can be squeezed into such small book. This course has helped to improve my piano playing tremendously and has also taught me some advanced terminology. I would honestly recommend this course to anyone who desires to improve their playing or even learn piano from scratch".

T. McIntosh.

"My husband thinks you are a genius for coming up with this method and is so impressed with it that he wants to get copies for two of his friends--at whatever rate per book you think is fair. My brother's comment was something to the effect of "Cool theory book, man!" Of course, he's a professional musician..."

Elissa Strati

Never Wonder About Chord Symbols Again

You will never have to refer to a chord finder, or chord encyclopedia again. You will be able to quickly and effortlessly find any chord.

What You'll Learn:

-The Root-

This is one of the note names, A through G (sometimes with a sharp, some times with a flat, and sometimes with nothing)

-The Quality-

This is whether the chord is a Major 7th, Minor 7th or some other type of chord. If it's a C chord, they'll be nothing written in the "quality" space, because the default quality is major.

-The Extra Stuff-

This if the chord is a 9th, 13th, or if it has a flat fifth. For example, C9, C13 or C7b9 ("pronounced C7 flat nine")

For more on this check out the free sample, chapter 1, from "How to Speed Read Piano Chord Symbols".

Much Easier, Cheaper and Convenient Than Conventional Lessons

If you can find an amazing piano teacher, that's great! But if your piano teacher is about as much fun listening to your high school biology teacher, then why pay $30 or $40 a week to suffer? Because he makes you suffer? And you need to suffer to learn? Try an easier approach.

If you have no interest in being a classical pianist, avoid lessons that are focused on learning classical technique and classical theory. You need modern theory for jazz, rock, gospel and (God forbid) hip-hop. Modern styles all use the same cool chords and you can learn them from "How to Speed Read Piano Chord Symbols".

Plus the unique "Nate's Three Finger Method" for finding the chords is something you'll not find in any other book. It will save you lots of grief, and hours of practicing that might make you feel like a dissected frog. You'll get right to the part of playing that's fun and will make you feel like a cool cat -- playing nice chords that sound great.

"Thank you for sending me your new update to your book, "How to speed piano chord symbols" I put it in my new binder and read it from cover to cover and all my questions are being answered. I was up to for chapter 4 in your older version, but got so excited with your new version I started all over again. It is so much fun reading notes, reading the chord name and be able to play such beautiful chord sounds. As my confidence has been growing I'm starting to put feeling into my practice of my chords. Thank you very much for helping me fulfill my dream to finally play the piano."

From devoted student from Cleveland, Ohio

Rog

Improve your Understanding and Appreciation of Music

The methods and techniques you'll learn in "How to Speed Read Piano Chord Symbols" will increase your understanding of music. You won't just be learning the chords, but you'll begin to see how they're all related. For example, did you know that Cm7 contains all of the notes of an Eb chord?

Cm7 uses the notes C, Eb, G and Bb.

Eb uses the notes Eb, G and Bb.

"How to Speed Read Piano Chord Symbols" is loaded with useful information that will deepen your understanding of music. When you learn the method, you will find your knowledge and understanding of music will grow exponentially. Even if you know a lot about music already, this is a totally new way to view the keyboard. If this book doesn't help you play and understand music better, you can get your money back, in fact:

You're protected by a 30 day iron-clad, moneyback guarantee.

"I was getting very frustrated with trying to figure out all the chord positions by myself based on scale formulae (1 3 5, 1 b3 5, 1 3 5 b7, etc.). Your book has been a break though for me. I purchased and downloaded the PDF version of your piano book yesterday.You method is terrific! In just a day, I can see and feel clear improvement in my playing and chord visualization.Thanks! "

Thanks again,
Krishna

Actually Enjoy Practicing

"How to Speed Read Piano Chord Symbols" takes you from simple one finger movements through to playing advanced chords such as 9th and 13th chords -- all explained in a step-by-step, easy to understand way that will allow you to understand what you are doing and why.

The book is 126 pages of valuable knowledge accompanied by valuable exercises and fun examples.

"You did a tremendous job at putting this Chord system together. Although, I'm a beginner, your system makes me sound like a pro...and that's all that counts. "

Joseph

Improve your Ear

With this method, you'll learn to hear how different types of chords are built. As you do this, the difference in sound between a Major 7th chord and a Minor 7th chord and other common chord types will start to sink in. You'll find you're listening to the radio and you say to yourself -- "Wow, that sounded like a dominant 7th chord". Knowing chords and chord quality is an essential part of developing your ear, which will help you in moving further with your music -- or just allow the world around you to blossom a little aurally.

Finally Master What You've Been Putting Off For Years!

Are you ready to have some fun learning to play chords?

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You might also consider purchasing one of my other books. You'll save on the second book if you buy them both together. My other available books are:

MORE How to Speed Read Piano Chord Symbols

Learn to Play Piano by Ear

More Testimonials for "How to Speed Read Piano Chord Symbols"

Exactly the course I was looking for! Excellent work AAA+++"
--kimmynchris (ebay username)

"I ordered your course yesterday and I want to thank you because just with the various 7th chords alone I do not have to refer to my “soon-to-be” old chord book. Continue the great work!!"
--Eddie G

"Okay, I got the book, and I must say, I find it incredible that me, a rank beginner, can actually form dozens of chords right out of the box. Not only that, I feel like your explanations are giving me some understanding of what I'm doing -- I'm not just memorizing where to put the fingers. Wow!"
--Dave V.

"Add me to your email list of customers (if you keep such a list). Your book is very well done and I plan to tell other folks I know about it.

I will be interested in getting your next book that you are working on to pick-up where this one left off

Your piano book is outstanding! It not only teaches you how to read the various piano chord symbols on music or lead sheets, but it teaches you how to play the piano chords with modern sounding jazz voicings.

The book does a great job how explaining how to move from one chord voicing to another chord voicing and the exercises help reinforce the chord voicings explained in the book. Your guidelines of when to move from one chord voicing to another chord voicing, what notes you can or can't double, and how to divide the notes between the hands are excellent. The example song from a fake sheet and the detailed explanation of exactly how to use the concepts in the book to voice this song really help put the concepts into practice. Best of all, the book is clearly written and easy to understand."

Tom C

"Thank you, I'm very excited about the book. I'm sure this will help, it explains a lot I've not learned before from any teacher."

B. Garcia

"Nate is on to something here! Highest recommemdations! A++++"

J. Buchanan

Although I thought I knew how to play chords from a lead sheet, my interpretation never sounded convincing. In one hour, Nathan showed me his voice leading method and there was major improvement. The lead sheet we worked on sounded smoother and more "jazzy". Later in the week, I purchased the sheet music of the song I had worked on. As written out by the song writer, the music was exactly - note by note - what Nathan's method had led me to. This method is going to save me a lot of money on sheet music!"

Matt Gandolfo

"Thank you so much for your book! I took lessons for three years and I still couldn't do anything. After I read the first chapter of your book, I was able to work through my favorite song, 'Stardust'. Now I can play it from memory and it sounds great!"

Susanne Ortega

Earlier today I purchased your Piano Manual. I have made my way through the first two Chapters, GREAT INFORMATION! I would have attended at least four or five traditional lessons to have integrated the same information. As far as I'm concerned the book has ALREADY paid for itself.

I am looking forward to the subsequent chapters and be sure to keep me posted in regard to your "supplementary work in progress". You have a talent, your book is one of the few instructional "how to play piano" manuals I have been able to understand.

THANK YOU,
Jessy A Cockrum

"I've been practicing the method for a few months now, and I just can't believe the difference in my playing. Thanks for writing this awesome book!"

Christie Moneclaire

"Just to let you know your book arrived in Friday's mail, and I am
really enjoying it. I am one of those people who have taken years of
lessons and can play sheet music, but like to just sit down and play from
fake books too, and the "7" chords always threw me. I finished the first
two and 1/2 chapters of your book yesterday, and really think it is going
to help me enjoy playing and help me sound better too. Thank you muches."

Rose M Brown

"Thank you very much Nathan :) I like this method very much. I was trying to memorize the chords and all the voicings before without thinking about the harmony. Now I am learning step by step and actually doing more thinking then just trying to memorize."

Saniye Burcu Ozserim

Fun Benefits

Play chords so they sound nice
Stop hitting "sour" notes
Impress your friends, or that "special someone" with your newfound piano prowess
Impress your friends even more when you can play their favorite song with a relaxed modern playing style, instead a stilted "stock" arrangement.
Have something to do other than watch TV and eat junk food
Do something nice by supporting a professional musician who also writes music books. If you would like to talk to the author and ask him any questions about the book, you can call 212-582-6765.
Become a world famous musician and have people "ooh" and "ah" at your piano skills. They might even call you the next . . .
Write a song
Impress a know-it-all
Find "the lost chord"

Frequently Asked Questions

Question:

I'm 78 years old. Am I too-old-of-a-dog to learn new tricks?

Answer:

Absolutely not. This method is actually great for someone who wants to take the "short cut" to playing great music. Besides, if you like the songs of the 1930s through 1960s, this method is ideal for some of the richer harmony in great songs such as "Autumn in New York" or "Skylark".

Question:

I've been playing piano chords for a while now. Why do I need another chord book?

Answer:

This method is not another chord book that tells you simply what Major 7th chords are, Minor 7th chords are, Diminished 7th chords are. This book will teach you how to find every Major 7th chord, every Minor 7th chord and ever Diminished 7th chord -- and understand the differences between them. And not just understand the difference in theory, but understand it in your fingers, and understand it in your ear.

This method will make the differences between the chords much clearer than other methods because the manner in which you find the chords will teach you the theory in a highly accessible and useful way.

Question:

Does "How to Speed Read Piano Chord Symbols" cover more complex jazz chords?

Answer:

Yes, it covers them briefly. For a more extensive knowledge of more complex chords such as 9ths, 11ths, 13ths and augmented chords, you'll want to pick up the sequel "MORE How to Speed Read Piano Chord Symbols".

Question:

What style of music geared toward, rock or jazz?

Answer:

The chords you'll be learning are the foundations of all styles of music. With slight variations, these chords are used in every style of music.

Want to know more? Visit the order page