Need help

[adam03]

I'm facing musical barriers playing piano. I've never had any lessons, I've taught myself to play piano. My question is, for chords how do you play an A7 11? I'm trying to learn Against All Odds and there are alot of chords I'm unfamiliar with.

[quantum]

The numbers after the chord root are related to the distance from that root.  They refer back to the major scale associated with the chord root.

For example: The A major triad is A, C#, E.  We can also use the numbers 1, 3, 5 for these notes.  The A major scale is: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A.  The 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes as you can see from counting up the scale from the root are also A, C#, E.  

Numbers such as 7, 9, 11 and 13 also represent notes along that same scale. As these go beyond one octave of the scale, just continue counting upwards that same scale.  However, there is an exception: 7 is presumed flattened a semitone unless otherwise directed.  For our A major example the numbers 7, 9, 11, and 13 would correspond to the notes, G [natural], B, D, and F#.  

If the chord name only contains a single number such as "11" it is presumed that the numbers that precede it are also included.  Thus for an 11 chord, you also play the 9, 7 and root triad: A, C#, E, G, B, D.  If you want the 11th scale degree exclusively you would write "add 11".  


A 7 11 is somewhat redundant.  Are you sure it isn't A7#11?  The # before the numeral indicates it is to be raised.  In this case the 11th degree D is to become D#.  


I would suggest getting a teacher to show you how to play these at the piano.  There is a difference between the theoretical knowledge of the chords and how they may be executed at the instrument.

[ajspiano]

Numbers such as 7, 9, 11 and 13 also represent notes along that same scale. As these go beyond one octave of the scale, just continue counting upwards that same scale.  However, there is an exception: 7 is presumed flattened a semitone unless otherwise directed.  For our A major example the numbers 7, 9, 11, and 13 would correspond to the notes, G [natural], B, D, and F#. 

If the chord name only contains a single number such as "11" it is presumed that the numbers that precede it are also included.  Thus for an 11 chord, you also play the 9, 7 and root triad: A, C#, E, G, B, D.  If you want the 11th scale degree exclusively you would write "add 11". 

Just to make that a little more explicit..

Where the chord is notated as 7 or above, with no addition markings.. such as A7, A9, A13..  the 7th is flattened to a minor 7th. As opposed to where the same scale degrees are noted but using the numbers below 7, such as A6 (6 is the same as 13) then the 7th is a normal major 7th.

Also, A11 is a pretty rare one..  'filled out' dominant 7ths with a natural 11th sound pretty gross, so its quantum's assessment that #11 is a possibility seems quite likely.

[nystul]

Also, A11 is a pretty rare one..  'filled out' dominant 7ths with a natural 11th sound pretty gross, so its quantum's assessment that #11 is a possibility seems quite likely.

I would have said the same thing, but I knew I had this one in a fake book.  The song is in A minor.  I guess that the chord Adam is asking about is the first chord of the verse.  In my book this chord is listed as Asus.  I don't think C# fits here which means that the A7, 11 notation is a bit misleading.

I think the real idea is along the lines of a G major chord against an A in the bass.

[ajspiano]

Yeh I just dug up a sheet that said Asus too.

adam03 - if you could post a picture of what you are reading from we can probably give a more definitive answer.

[adam03]

It's built into my keyboard. Yamaha ypg 535. I was mistaken it is an Am7 11.   D/G would be a D chord with G in the base? Is that how that would be played?

[adam03]

Ive been playing piano for 10 years or so, I will get a teacher soon enough here. Ive been teaching myself beatles songs. Some of the stuff I am familiar with because I did chorus is school. But there is so much I still have to learn.. Let's just say I have a simple understanding of the piano. If anyone can suggest songs with simple chord progression for me to learn would be much appreciated.


And thank you guys for the help!