Major Triad Neighbor Chord Melody

An extension of the Neighbor Chord concept is to play the prevailing major triad and neighbor chord pair “melodically” up or down in all three voicings…

Applied to a C Major Triad…

If the four-note chords in the right hand are too much of a reach, just drop the bottom note and play 3-note voicings instead…

Study-Practice Notes

• Think of the neighbor chord as “the ii” of the prevailing chord.
• Notice that each of the three chord pairings has a characteristic “shape”.
• Notice that the prevailing harmony is played on downbeats and the neighbor is played on the upbeats.
• Use your knowledge of chord theory, ears, eyes, and muscles, work this pattern out for all twelve major triads.

learn more…
Minor Triad Neighbor Chord Melody