6th whose root is 3 frets higher than the root of the m7 chord, (like Am7=C6). You should have encountered this type of relationship in the section containing the chord synonyms.
So now a good exercise might be to play a C major chord, then a C6 chord, then an Am chord, then an Am7 chord. Do this with many inversions, not just 1 or two of each. If you do not, you willproabably not get a broad enough perspective on the different kinds of souns that inversions can make.
Now practice playing different inversions of the diminished and augmented chords. You will probably learn to hear these chords fairly rapidly, because of their unusual sound.
If you have pretty well learned the different sounds of the chords so far, you could now start trying to hear the sounds of any other chords you like. There are many unusual colors or flavors of chords listed in this book, and each has its own sound. Refer to the page on synonyms as an aid to hearing certain chords in more than one way. Realize that every chord except the diminished augmented, and some chords without 3rds can be thought of as either major, minor, or dominant. When you hear a chord immediately classify it as one of the 3 categories, if possible. Some chords, due to the synonyms, will sound more like one category, so try to hear these chords in all possible ways.
The next step is hearing chord progressions. This comes mainly with experience, and being familiar with many different kinds of chord progressions. The most useful tool here is to listen to and learn how to play many different songs. This greatly develops your ear, and if you start analyzing and comparing the chord progressions in these songs, you will notice patterns that are used over and over again. Soon you will be able to hear these patterns in songs if you are hearing them for the 1st time, and you will recognize them instantly.
By songs, it is meant anything that has chords or implied chords. This includes classical music. There is a wealth of knowledge in this music, and as in all forms of music, there is good and not so good.
Investigate.
The term "implied chords" was just used. This happens when there are two melodies or voices together, but no chords, as for example, in the 2 Part Inventions of Johann Sebastian Bach. the 2 melodies seem to suggest a chord; listening to these inventions should point this out.
To sum up this section, experience is the best teacher, but a thorough study and mental categorization of sounds is essential to understanding and hearing chords and chord progressions.