Lesson
#1 of 25
(scroll down for video demonstration)
A ProProach
to playing
a major seventh chord...
Using
Cmaj7 as our
example...
The
basic Cmaj7
chord,
in its root position, is played like this:
C
E G B
Here's
what it
looks
like:
Now,
this chord
certainly sounds fine on its own, and there will be many times where
you
will choose to play it this way. But a true piano stylist wants
options. Nothing can replace having the flexibility to approach playing
chords in several ways. So let's consider on example...
Here's
the ProProach:
Cmaj7:
* with
your
left hand (pinkie and thumb), play the C and B (the 1 and 7 of the
chord)
*
with your right
hand
(thumb and index finger),
play the E and G (the 3 and 5 of the chord)
*
in addition,
with your
right hand pinkie, add the D
above this G (the D is the 9 of the chord)
D
G
Right
Hand
E
_________
= _________
B
Left
Hand
C
The
resulting
chord is:
Cmaj9 in open position
Here's
what it
looks
like:
Now
play the
original Cmaj7 in its basic form shown at the top of this page... then
play this chord voicing above. Listen, listen, listen to the
difference... This is a super
cocktail
piano voicing, but also can be used in many other situations.
It works great if your melody includes that D! Also is great if
you are
simply playing the Cmaj7 as part of a turnaround or if you are
simply
improvising
with
it.
Take
this ProProach
and apply
it to any major seventh chord.
The
formula is:
9
5
Right
Hand
3
_________
=
__________
7
Left
Hand
1
Consider,
for now,
transposing this chord voicing to Fmaj9... then go back and forth
between the Cmaj9 and Fmaj9. By the way, what you are playing is known
as a I - IV chord progression in the key of C Major (Cmaj9 is the I and
Fmaj9 is the IV).
As you play each one, break the chords up
by playing them one note at a time, changing the order in which you
play them. Do this with the sustain pedal on your piano depressed as
you play each chord - wow, that sounds nice! You could have a lot of
fun with just this much as you get more an more creative with it!
Please
make the
most of this lesson... if it comes rather easy to you, that means it's
a great time to transpose it to other keys as you did with the Fmaj9.
On the other hand, if it seems a bit challenging, understand that you
are exposing yourself to new concepts with this program and there is no
rush when it comes to assimilating the material here! Just stay with
the lessons and review them... things will "click" for you!
In Lesson #2, we're going to take this a step further and apply it to
another actual chord progression you can expect to see in music time
and
time again!
In
Lesson #3, we will put this chord voicing to use in an actual playing
situation, using excerpts from two very popular standard songs!
(Click
on the
button below to get started)
I'm
excited for
you... I have had so much fun putting this all together, and I consider
it a pleasure as well as a privilege that you are going to join me for
the next 24 weeks! We are going to be covering:
9th
chord voicings
11th
chord voicings
13th
chord voicings
open
voicings
chord
substitutions
and
so much more...
also
remember,
we will not only be learning these concepts but we will
actually be using them in
song excerpts, so you really will be building confidence when it comes
to applying them - that really
makes a difference!
Enjoy
every moment
at that piano or keyboard of yours... and as you do so, remember...
Always...
ALWAYS...
PLAY
WITH PASSION!
Copyright
PianoAmore.net All Rights Reserved