Piano Chord Voicings For those of you not familiar with chord voicings, it is the way a musician arranges/organizes and plays chords on a piano in order to create interesting sounds. In this post, we will explain why chord voicings add vibrancy and pizzazz to your ballads, how learning one chord voicing at a time …
Unlock The Secrets To Stunning Cocktail Piano Chord Voicings Read More »
Enhance Your Style With Chord Voicings I felt inspired to write this because there are a good number of cocktail pianists who enjoy success utilizing just basic triads and 7th chord structures. There’s a lot to be said for a performer who can be creative using simplicity. That said, the use of chord voicings can …
Cocktail Piano Intros: In A Pinch? Creating cocktail piano intros is an art in itself. The more you have in your “bag of tricks” the better. Sure, it pays to practice and know, at least to a point, how your arrangement will go. However, sometimes you might find yourself in a spot where you get …
As with all components of creative playing, melodic embellishment is a technique that comes rather naturally with experience. If you are just beginning to acquaint yourself in this area, you can be a step above the crowd of beginners by keeping one simple idea in mind and use it as a guide: always maintain respect …
Previously, we acknowledged that playing less really can be more by simply playing the root, 3, and 7. Using the same example shown in that video excerpt of ProProach, harmonizing the first note of Erroll Garner’s Misty could look like this: In this case, the melody note is D. That D also happens to be …
Splashing More Color Into A Simple Chord Voicing Read More »
You want to transpose the chords and voicings you learn to other keys. The more command you have over those keys, the more confidence you ultimately have. Want a sure-fire way to gain that command? Make transposing those chords and voicings you’re learning to other keys something you love to do. The act of transposing …
When it comes to harmonizing your melodies in a tasteful fashion, it makes sense to vary the density of the chords and voicings that you use. By doing so, you automatically gain the respect of your listener’s ears. Perhaps you can relate to a beautiful painting that had captured your attention at one time or …
The next time you are about to sit at your piano, have a recording device by your side. If you are playing a digital piano, use the record button (how convenient!). Choose a song that is already a part of your repertoire. It’s one you feel quite confidently with. Now, put your imagination to work …
As a soloist, you have lots of control at your fingertips. When it comes to presenting yourself in a tasteful manner, it makes perfect sense to use that control wisely. If your aim includes captivating the respect of your listeners, nothing is more significant than this. Being a “monster” of a player who has command …
When it comes to harmonizing tunes, it’s amazing how many people never get beyond playing chords in the same basic, textbook manner they learned in the beginning. I’m face to face with a number of adult students on a regular basis. Many of them will let me know right off the bat their intention is …
