Here is a series of about 15 chords. Keep in mind that there isn’t a specific way to play them. What I recommend is to:
1) Learn and become familiar with each chord
2) Develop a style & rhythm and / or …
3) Try to find ways to include some of the chords into songs that you already know how to play
Again, the following chart is just a list of chords that I like to play. They can be played in order; however, the style in which you choose to play them depends on your creativity!
Let’s get to work…
INSTRUCTIONS:
Here is an example format of how I will present each chord:
| CHORD NAME | LEFT HAND | RIGHT HAND
abcd 7 a / b / c / d/ e f g
* This is just an example of how I will list the chords. Please don’t attempt to play what I have just shown above… (No matter how creative you are, I don’t think the notes above make a nice sounding chord … ) :o)
** Keep in mind that most of these chords will involve 6 (and sometimes 8 or 9) fingers. If you cannot reach some of the notes, use your ear to eliminate some of the less important notes (for example, eliminating the root note when it is played in both the left and right hand).
A ” * ” indicates a note played at the higher octave (like playing a low “C” as well as the next highest “C” ).
>>>> IN THE KEY OF C#
| CHORD NAME | LEFT HAND | RIGHT HAND
1) C# maj 9 C# / G# / C# * D# G# D# *
2) D# min 9 D# / A# / C# F F# A# D#
3) C# maj 9 / F F / G# / C# D# G# D# *
4) F# maj (add 6) F# / C# / F A# D# F G#
5) G# 11 G# / D# / F# C# F# A#
6) G# 7 (b9) G# / D# / F# C F A
7) C# maj 9 (add 6) C# / G# A# D# G#
8) F min 7 (b5) F / C / D# B D# G#
9) A# 7 (b9) A# / F / G# B D G#
10) D# min (b5) D# / A# A C# D# F#
11) C# maj 9 / G# G# / C# / F G# C# D# F G# *
12) D# 9 (add 6) D# / A# / C# G C C# F
13) G# 13 G# / D# / F# A# C# F G#
14) G# 6 (b9) G# / D# / F# A C F
15) C# maj 9 (add 6) C# / G# A# D# G#
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
While this exact 15-series chord progression is not covered in my 300-pg course, the chords which make up the progressions are. If you noticed, I used:
- major ninth chords
- minor ninth chords
- eleventh chords
- thirteenth chords
- altered chords (for example, “b9″ )
- sixth chords
If you were intrigued by the chord progression above, I invite you to read more about “The Secrets to Playing Piano By Ear” 300-pg course at:
http://www.hearandplay.com/course
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I was not aware that music had so much going on with it. Now I see why songs appear to the ear so different. For years I have played basic chords and I was stuck in a rut. I asked for help and people would say they “yes I’ll help” but nowhere to be found when the time came.
I thank all of you at Hear and Play Music Learning Center
Thank you for the tips Mr Grigg.
i have taken out time to really study some of these chords. One thing that is very challanging is how to incorporate same into your playing but i have been able to breakthrough because i also mix with musicians who know more than i do. With what i have gotten from hear and play i have no choice but to be among the best players around . Thanks to jermaine for doing a great job on this site.