|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rarely is a chord played with its tones contained in a single octave, the root on the bottom, the third in the middle, and the fifth on the top.
Usually chords are "voiced!"
This basically means that the positions of a chord's tones are scattered over the keyboard. The tones may be altered, doubled, added to, missing, and so forth.
There are a great variety of possibilities available in voicing chords. Voicing chords properly is an art within itself. Using the correct voicing techniques in your playing will give your improvisation a "hip," mature and full sound. Chords played in root position just does not seem to do the job when playing Jazz, Rock, Pop, Blues, Gospel and "Smooth Jazz" piano.
Learning and mastering good voice leading techniques in your playing is not difficult if you just follow some simple rules.
1. The most important notes in any chord is the 3rd and the 7th. The 3rd of the chord defines whether the chord is a major or minor chord. The 7th of the chord will define whether the chord is a dominant or major chord. Usually the bass player will play the root and fifth. The root and fifth are not essential tones and can be completely left our from your chord progressions. If you must use the root and fifth try using it in your right hand, not your left. You should add your "color" tones in your right hand.
2. When you are taking a solo and not "comping" (accompanying) for another soloist you should play your chord voicings in your left hand, so that the right hand can be free to improvise, do fills, double the left hand, add extensions, etc.
3. The range of your voicings is also very important. A good rule of thumb to remember when voicing your chords, is to always try to voice your chords around middle C. Keeping your voicings around middle C will sound full and clear. Limits of approximately an octave above or below will assure best results by preventing the voicing from assuming a quality of thinness or muddiness.
Copyright 2005 RAW Productions
Ron Worthy is a Music Educator, Songwriter and Performer. His Web Site Offers Proven Tool, Tips and Strategies (that anyone can learn) to Play Rock, Pop, Blues, R&B and Smooth Jazz Piano. http://www.mrronsmusic.com/playpiano.htm
Wind Chimes and more... Do you remember finger-painting as a child? How fun it... Read More Most people look forward to the summer months because they... Read More In the last article, the creation of a theme, its... Read More Recently, I had a student ask me to offer some... Read More Rosemary Brown (1916-2001) was a middle-aged South London widow, making... Read More Rarely is a chord played with its tones contained in... Read More Almost everyone has heard about the massive crack down on... Read More Many artists are still confused as to what goes on... Read More What in the world is "naked music?"You know it when... Read More Some people think composing is this miraculous thing that only... Read More Do you ramble on endlessly with your improvisations? If so,... Read More Britney Spears was born December 2 1981 as Britney Jean... Read More In a recent post to my Yahoo group, I mentioned... Read More Not since the heyday of Dance/Pop Artists like Taylor Dayne... Read More Propelled into fame as one of the Beatles, along with... Read More With the increased proliferation of online guitar and musical equipment... Read More We've all heard of them. Child prodigies who begin composing... Read More Every student realizes that guitar practice is important if they... Read More The idea originated with singer Jon Bon Jovi. Jon kept... Read More Both of these timbers make great soundboards on flat top... Read More The new competition package available for the BMW M3 is... Read More Eminem's roots can be found in Scandinavia through his mother... Read More When most people hear the word composer, they automatically think... Read More Do you know what a didgeridoo is? There are so... Read More Perhaps no other guitar maker has touched the hearts of... Read More
Windchimes
for great gifts!
The Joy of Spontaneous Expression
Benatar and Geraldo - Still Rockin on a High Note
How to Create a Multi-artistic Piece - Part II
Right-Hand Techniques for New Age Piano
Spectral Muses Revisited: The Channeled Melodies of Rosemary Brown
How to Create Hip, Mature, and Lush Harmonies [correction]
Free, Legal Music Online
Prepare for the Master (CD Mastering)
How To Dress Up Naked Music On The Piano
How to Compose Your Own Music Using 8-bar Phrases
Form - Giving Shape to Your Music
Born to sing, Britney Spears is as big as ever today
Creating Caverns - an Improvisation Exercise
Is the Mainstream Ready Once Again for Dance Music?
The Life and Music of Beatle George Harrison
How to Buy an Electric Guitar Online
Is Your Child Capable of Composing Music? Maybe the Next Mozart?
Guitar Practice - Make It Your Priority!
An Interview with Jon Bon Jovi ? 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Cant Be Wrong
ADIRONDACK versus SITKA SPRUCE
New M3 with Competition Package
Origins of the Mathers Family
Composing for Dummies
Do You Know What a Didgeridoo Is?
A Brief History of Fender Guitars
Here are six very good reasons to learn how to... Read More
Most of the guitar lovers playing guitar for few years... Read More
Propelled into fame as one of the Beatles, along with... Read More
July 6, 1973 Birmingham EnglandSteven: Has it been difficult for... Read More
Form is the key that unlocks the musical map of... Read More
When you read music you are deciphering the printed page... Read More
Have you ever done any of the following?1. Made excuses... Read More
Curious about MIDI? Want to find out what tools are... Read More
Britney Spears was born December 2 1981 as Britney Jean... Read More
SoundEdit Pro http://www.deprice.com/soundeditpro.htmSoundEdit Pro is a digital audio editor for... Read More
After months of email and posts, we've finally compiled and... Read More
Celebrities now such as Outkast, a fashion wear can be... Read More
Pakistan is blessed with talent and when we talk about... Read More
It sounds like a side show, doesn't it? It does... Read More
P2P file sharing programs are free. Period. But there are... Read More
One of the things that makes New Age piano so... Read More
Facts about MC Big Proof"If I was you, suicide would... Read More
Learning how to improvise is confusing for most. The sheer... Read More
Every student realizes that guitar practice is important if they... Read More
We all want to be in the moment. That's where... Read More
Some of you may remember a book titled "Drawing on... Read More
Remember when radio stations played great music?OK, before you accuse... Read More
His lockjaw delivery makes him look as gangsta as Marlon... Read More
Learning piano chords can help you in all your piano... Read More
This article is designed to help anyone to enjoy karaoke... Read More
Music & MP3 |