【No musical knowledge necessary! “I want to try my hand at composing, but where do I start?” This easy-to-follow chord introductory book answers that question: “Even Beginners Can Make Songs: How to Read and Use Chords” is now on sale. Image
URL: Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. Press Release: September 1, 2025 To Members of the Press [No need to know anything about music! “I want to try my hand at composing, but where do I start?” This easy-to-understand chord introductory book answers that question with the release of “How to Read and Use Chords: Even Beginners Can Create Songs.” From how to read sheet music to how to use chords, this book provides
easy-to-understand explanations with beginner-friendly guidance. It also comes with a QR code that lets you check the sound source, so you can thoroughly learn chord theory and practice while experiencing it. Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd., a group company of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo / President and CEO: Hiroaki Miyahara), Gakken (Shinagawa, Tokyo / CEO: Nanjo Tatsuya) released “How to Read and Use Chords – Even Beginners Can Make Songs” on Monday, September 1, 2025.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8062/2535-8062-63955e0de10596a212267cc048c10216-1280×670.jpg ▼’How to Read and Use Chords: Even Beginners Can Make Songs’ https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4058024313/ “Review questions” and “verification audio” provide powerful support for beginners! ―――――― Here’s what’s great about this book! ―――――― ・Review questions ensure the content is firmly established! ・It comes with audio so you can understand by listening! ・Understand how to use the code with plenty of diagrams and tables! If you’re a music lover, you’ve probably thought at least once, “I want to make a song like that.” However, beginners tend to be hesitant, thinking, “It seems difficult, and I don’t know where to start.” Code is a great help for such beginners. Knowing how to read and use chords not only makes it relatively easy to play an instrument, but it also improves your understanding of sheet music and songs. It’s also a great help when composing and arranging music. This book not only covers the basics of sheet music and chords, but also provides easy-to-understand explanations, even for beginners, of theories and chord progressions that will help you better understand chords, as well as how to use chords to create compositions, with plenty of diagrams and charts. Each section includes a QR code that allows you to listen to a “verification audio,” and review questions are provided for sections that require careful checking or that appear difficult. By rereading this book, listening to the “verification audio,” and sitting down at the piano or keyboard, even those with zero knowledge can master how to read and use chords. “Can I do this straight away…?” “I can’t even read music…” Many of you may be thinking this. Don’t worry. This book will explain the basics thoroughly so that even those who can’t read music can understand, so please read on with confidence. (From “Introduction”)
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8062/2535-8062-40d0dca44e70d072c7c1405434198f97-1762×2500.jpg ▲To make it easy for beginners to understand, we provide
easy-to-understand explanations, starting with how to read sheet music, with plenty of diagrams and charts. [Main contents of this book] Part 1: Reviewing the basics of musical notation (1) Staff notation and note names (2) Semitones and whole tones, sharps and flats (3) Rules for ♮ and accidentals… and more Part 2:
Understanding chord names from intervals (1) What is pitch? (2) Intervals of white keys only (3) Intervals with sharps and flats…and more Part 3: Mastering scales and keys essential for chords (1) What is the major scale? (2) Major scales and keys in the sharp range (3) Major scales and keys in the flat range…and more
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8062/2535-8062-a1de7244bed2df82439621ddaa0f02d0-1762×2500.jpg ▲Includes a QR code to listen to the “Checkout Sound Source.” You can check the notes as you study. Part 4: Creating diatonic chords from scales (1) Diatonic scales (2) Diatonic Chords (3) Degree Names…and More Part 5: Identifying the key using diatonic chords (1) Steps for determining the key—Major scale 1. (2) Identifying the key using fifth-seventh intervals – Major part 2. (3) Procedure for identifying the key – Minor part 3. …and more Part 6. Understand the Framework of Chord Progressions (1) The Characteristics and Power Relationships of Chords (2) The Framework of Chord Progressions (3) What is Cadence? …and more Part 7: Learn useful chord progressions (1) Standard progression “I→IV→V→I” (2) Canon progression “I→V→VIm→IIIm→IV→I→IV→V” (3) Let it be progression “I→V→VIm→IV” … and more
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8062/2535-8062-0d4915b426daff33329df76845cbc77e-1762×2500.jpg ▲The “review questions” help you firmly solidify what you’ve learned! Advanced Edition: Try composing using chords! (1) Place the chords (2) Create the framework for the melody (3) Make the melody smooth…and more [Author Profile] Katsumi Shindo Pianist, keyboardist, composer, and arranger. Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music. Active in a variety of fields, including stage, studio, television, radio, film, instructional book writing, and teaching, he is a player, composer, arranger, and instructor. He is highly trusted by artists, serving as bandmaster for artists such as Marcia, Seiko Nizuma, Ryusei Nakao, Kahori Aso, Kazutaka Ishii, Motoki Hirakata, and Sora Kazuki. He currently performs with his bands, “Agokako” and “Breaspa,” primarily at live music venues in Tokyo. In 2005, he released the solo album “Una Flor ~Ichirin no Hana~” (A2 Number Records). His books include “Intense Keyboard Training” (Cabnet), “Perfect Piano Chord Book,” “Left-Hand Piano Chord Forms,” and “How to Play Piano Chords” (Doremi Music Publishing), “Introduction to Popular Piano for Beginners” (Dream Music Factory), “First Ear Training to Hone Your Relative Pitch” (Mates Universal Content), and “How to Read Sheet Music for Beginners” (Gakken). In 2012, he appeared in the film “Mother’s Chronicle” (winner of the Special Jury Grand Prix at the 35th Montreal World Film Festival) as a band member. Lecturer at Watanabe Entertainment Academy, Clark Memorial International High School Saitama Campus, and Tokyo Academy of Music High School. ●Facebook／https://www.facebook.com/katsumi.shindo
●Instagram／https://www.instagram.com/katsumi.shindo [Product Overview]
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8062/2535-8062-1a1c51fb5da9beaa009be738ab37eba0-1748×2480.jpg “How to Read and Use Chords: Even Beginners Can Make Songs” Author: Katsumi Shindo Price: ¥1,980 (tax included) Release date: Monday, September 1, 2025 Format: A5/144 pages Electronic version:
Simultaneous distribution ISBN: 978-4-05-802431-7 Publisher: Gakken Co., Ltd. Gakken Publishing
Website:https://hon.gakken.jp/book/2380243100 [Click here to purchase this book] ・Amazon https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4058024313/ ・Rakuten Bookshttps://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18261115/ ・Seven Net
https://7net.omni7.jp/detail/1107625972 ・Kindle
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0FNVPFPH8/ ・Rakuten Kobo
https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rk/3085e360d3703d18b1a584fdccd4e786/ ■Gakken Inc. https://www.corp-gakken.co.jp/ ・President and CEO: Tatsuya Nanjo ・Date of incorporation: January 13, 2009 (company name changed on October 1, 2022) ・Capital: 50 million yen ・Address: 2-11-8 Nishigotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8416 ・Business activities: Publishing and content business, global business, medical and nursing publishing content business, business for kindergartens and schools, classroom-related business, e-commerce and online business, and advertising business ■GAKKEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
https://www.gakken.co.jp/ ・President and CEO: Miyahara Hiroaki ・Date of incorporation: March 31, 1947 ・Capital: 19,817 million yen ・Sales: 185.5 billion yen, 79 consolidated subsidiaries (fiscal year ending September 2024) Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market (Stock Code: 9470) ・Address: 141-8510 2-11-8 Nishigotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo ・Telephone: 03-6431-1001 (Main) ・Business Description: Holding company established in 1946, engaged in education, medical care, and welfare-related businesses. Education: Classroom and cram school operations, including “Gakken Classrooms,” Publishing and content operations, such as educational materials, Preschool and school operations, such as textbooks and childcare supplies, Medical and Welfare: Serviced housing for the elderly, Dementia group homes, Childcare support operations, such as nurseries and after-school programs, Global: Activities and operations in over 150 countries.