 (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 and 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!  For a printer-friendly version of this lesson, click here. Once you arrive at that page, at the top of your browser, click "File">>>"Print" Take
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