IFR blog > Practice tips > Developing your ear > Understanding any piece of music by ear
Hallelujah

This classic by Leonard Cohen not only uses the most important chords in our musical system, but even talks about them in the lyrics!

Better Together

This catchy chord progression uses a very melodic bass line to create beautiful chord inversions. 

Harmonic analysis of Bye Bye Blackbird

Despite the almost child-like simplicity of this popular song written by Ray Henderson, Bye Bye Blackbird has become one of the most important jazz standards of all time. In this lesson we analyze the complete chord progression.

Hey Jude

This beloved Beatles anthem uses just one chord from outside the major scale.

Song for My Father, part 1

Horace Silver's classic "Song for My Father" is a perfect song for beginning improvisers because the entire song is made from just four chords. In this four-part lesson series you will learn to improvise your own solos over the entire form.

Song for My Father, part 2

In this lesson we will explore the second chord that appears in Song for My Father. It's called the 5D chord (pronounced "five dominant chord"). You will learn to improvise over this chord and to create this sound in your music.

Song for My Father, part 3

In this lesson you will learn to improvise over the 4D chord (pronounced "four dominant chord"). This is the first chord that contains a note from outside the key of the music, so you'll see how we approach these chords in IFR.

Song for My Father, part 4

Our fourth and final lesson on Song for My Father covers the 3D chord and gives you the complete chord progression to the song. The lesson includes a free IFR jam track to practice improvising over the entire song.

Sister Golden Hair

If you're looking for a clear example of how each chord of the major scale sounds in a musical context, this classic by America is a gold mine.

Let it Be

The four chords that we study in IFR Jam Tracks Level 2 are the most essential harmonic states in western music. Let it Be is a beautiful example of the journey of emotions that we can express with just these four chords.