Lesson Goal: To master common-practice iiø7,b9-V7,b9-iM7,9 chord voicings…
In order to achieve a jazzier sound, it is customary to add color tones to the basic seventh chords. A standard way to do so is to add “the 9” to each chord in the progression as follows:
- Dø7 (D F Ab C) + Eb = Dø7,b9 (D F A C Eb)
- G7 (G B D F) + Ab = G7,b9 (G B D F Ab).
- CmM7 (C Eb G B) + D = CmM7,9 (C Eb G B D).
Variation #1 (notice that the chord roots are dropped in the right hand)…
Now play the right hand above as a rootless left-hand voicing, leaving your right hand free to play the melody or improvise…
Variation #2 (again, notice that the chord roots have been dropped in the right hand)…
Now play the right hand above as a rootless left-hand voicing, leaving your right hand free to play the melody or improvise…
Homework: Using your knowledge of the major scales and chord structure (and your ears of course), play this pattern in at least the following keys: E minor, A minor , D minor, G minor , C minor, F minor.
Learning by doing in this manner will build an enormous scale and chord vocabulary that integrates visio-spatial keyboard awareness, ear training, technique, and rhythm… and lays a rock solid foundation for fluent improvisation.