Hey Tim! Welcome to the greatest Forum for all of us Technics "aficionados"! I think you will find here a wealth of information to help you as you progress in using your fabulous 7000. Don't hesitate to read older messages on previous pages, or click on the "search" button to find specific information you may be seeking. I am an "ear-player" and have no formal music training. I cannot sight read music, but I have learned, after much practice, how to read single notes individually. Like you, I hear chords in my head but, unlike you, I AM usually able to transfer those sounds to my fingers and they seem to fall on the right keys. Sometimes,however, the chords are strange and have nothing to do with the original music, but they sound fine to me. The suggestion to use the Chord Finder on the 7000 is a good one and, as time goes by, you will be amazed how many chords seem to come naturally within each key. For a long time, my preferred key was F, but I was determined to learn others and now I have "mastered" Eb and Ab and the chords within those keys come easily and I can now even transpose from one key to the other. So, keep playing and trying; the magic of the instrument itself will more than compensate for any shortcomings you think you have in your playing technique. Don't be shy asking questions here on the Forum, Tim. Even if they have been posted or answered before, the members of this great Forum are always willing to reply again, if necessary, or refer you back to previous message threads. So, again, welcome, my friend! You are now a member (or at least a junior member ) of the great Technics Forum! We look forward to hearing more from you.

Ted