Learn How To Sound
"Pro"
A Nibble At A Time Really Gets You Playing
Some Nice Chord Sounds - Will Change How You Think About Piano
Chords
Pro
Piano Chord Bytesis your personal ticket
to piano chord mastery... the pro way, of course.
Any professional
piano stylist will tell you that many
of the best learning experiences transpired outside the context of
formal lessons when he or she had the opportunity to look over the
shoulder of an admired performer... and
usually,
it only took about a minute to learn one valuable chord idea
that could be used again and again forever! Indeed, these rare,
brief
but priceless "aha!" moments are precious opportunities no player would
want to miss if and when they
ever present themselves.
Maybe you've already had
the privilege of experiencing such eye-opening moments. Even if you
haven't, this is your chance to take
advantage of this very
rare "sneak peek" at a pro's insight as to
how to play some of those super chord sounds... and in the right
places!
Yes, each idea is presented in the context of an actual song so that
you can learn how a professional is really
likely think in such a situation.
Take each idea and start "inserting"
it into other songs of yours and your "chord confidence" will
skyrocket!
Collect all of these precious gems and
just listen to what you'll sound
like over a period of the next several weeks! This program serves as
the perfect compliment to ProProach!
Let's get started with
your first one, which is complimentary.
Remember, things get more
interesting as we progress,
and this one
serves as a great beginning...
Misty
by
Erroll Garner
Measure #1
Here we have the first
measure of that infamous classic Misty
by Erroll Garner (Johnny Burke later wrote the words).
We are presenting this in the key of C Major for illustration
purposes...
A pro cocktail pianist might consider a very powerful open chord
voicing
for that melody note (C) in this first measure such as the one shown
below.
Play
it and listen!
What
Did We Do?
A basic Cmaj7
chord in root postion looks like this>>>
C E G B We simple took the 1 and
5 of the chord ("C" and "G") and put it in that lower bass
area
of the keyboard and put that 3 and
7 of the chord ("E" and "B") above that (or to the
right).
The 7 is the melody in this case.
Why this particular
piano chord voicing?
From
A Pro's Perspective:
This is the beginning of
the tune. You've got those two pick-up notes leading
into that first melody note in the first measure. Playing those pick-ups
as single notes and following up with that piano chord voicing shown
above makes for a powerful contrast. It has been said more than
just a few times: Contrast
is the first law of all art. We achieve nice
contrast here because, in addition to that voicing being "open" it
also utilizes the bass area of the piano keyboard... we get that nice "bottom"
as well as an open sound. So a pro would use this voicing
if that's the kind of effect he or she wants at any particular time.
When To Use It:
Naturally, as an ever-growing piano stylist, you are the artist
who will make these decisions on your own with experience.
In general, this chord voicing works nicely when you have:
1) a melody note of longer duration (but that's not always necessary)
2) the melody note is the 7th chord the chord (in the case above, "B"
is the 7th of Cmaj7)
Suggestion:
The standard key of Misty
is Eb major. In that key, what would be the melody note?
The chord? Now, go ahead and adapt the voicing above to the situation!
Extra
"To Do" For Fun and Musical Growth:
Play the same voicing and play an "A" (or 6th) between that E and B
with the right hand...
then try the "G" next to it instead. Then play both at the same time
(yes, four keys
with
that right hand!)... how "thick" sounding! Wow, the possibilities...
listen to all of them! : o )
You are highly encouraged to learn this chord voicing in other keys. As
you're going
through some of those songs of yours, look for maj7 chords where the
melody is the
7th and then apply this voicing. The confidence you will experience as
you make
a habit of following these suggestions on a regular basis is almost
uncanny!
As you continuously become a more creative player, remember...
Always...
ALWAYS...
PLAY WITH PASSION!
Musically,
Get
One-A-Week! We have a lot more chord
fun to discover! Simply enroll by clicking
on the
ADD TO CART
button below and you'll receive
another Pro
Piano Chord Byte
each week for 6 months!
It's just $14
with
this special promotion! But act TODAY to take advantage...
Collect
all of 'em!
If you experience any challenges with your order, simply email me at
info @ pianoamore.com.
It will be my pleasure to take care of you : o ) - Dave
Discover ProProach Learn
how to play piano chords like the pros do!
Lessons w/ explanations... graphics... VIDEOS, TOO! LEARN MORE
