Lesson 4: Let's add Harmony 1

There are four scores as a set for lesson 4. There are three "One note baseline" samples so that you'd know how you develop easiest baseline all by yourself. Plus the way to invert the three chord. Eash set costs you US$3.50. Or you can buy the whole set of scores that are quoted in this video series for only US$27.50. Scores may be diturbing if you are just to tease around with lessons though, they are quite helpful if you really are wishing to acquire the essence of Jazz Piano. Besides it is measley $27.50, right? Click whichever the button so that you can watch video with scores on your side.

Scores for Lesson 4 Click Below Paypal "Buy Now" button for a set of scores for Lesson 4 three "One note baseline" samples. You'll be guided to the download page right after the payment is completed.

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<Transcription of Video>

Lesson 4: Let's add harmony - 1

<Opening>

When you play piano, it is common to play melody with right hand and add some chords by left hand to let your favorite melody stands out. Piano itself is designed that way. There’s no piano for lefties. Well sorry about that. But let me remind you that the more you use left hand the more you look like pro. So, you have better chance to be noticed.

Now the chord. In this lesson, since the whole program is devoted for the very beginners, I start out playing chord with one finger. Yes, one of your left hand fingers only.

Which means, you have to select one note from the chord you are to play. To do that, you have to know how each chord is composed of. Don't be scared off. It's not that complicated. After all the whole thing is created by human being, right? You can refer to the last page of the pdf document (this is the document) that has sent to you. There I have listed all chord expansion of the key C major.

<Piano appears>

There are three primary chords for each key. And each chord is composed of three notes. For the key of the C major, the chord starts to be built upon the prime note C (tonic, we say) and sub-dominant note F (the Forth, we may say) and dominant note G (the Fifth, we may say).

Upon tonic C, you'll set E and G to form the chord C

Upon subdominant F, you'll set A and upper C to form the chord F

Upon dominant G, you'll set B and D to form the chord

Here's 3 primary chords in series. (Chords are played in order of C-F-G)

Have you noticed that this chord progression sounds like going nowhere? Listen again C-F-G. Don't be frustrated.

 That is what we call resolution. Listen this progression. You feel better now. (Chord played but with resolving chord of C at the end. C-F-G-C) I have resolved the chord progression.

If you watch closely the feeling of "resolve" that is to say completion comes from the progression of note B to C. (B to C played)

Which means you can represent a chord with 1 note.

So? So you can use any one note to specify a chord instead of three notes that formally compose of the chord. You can use E to say you are playing chord C. But mind you, in selecting base notes, you have to follow through with the flow, or “progression” for that matter, of the base line.

<Talk about this pdf file>

I have prepared 4 scores on the pdf file that are available for purchase.

Score 1: has the simplest chord progression with the simplest flow of base notes. I play the primary notes of each chord.

Score 2: has a little bit advanced base notes lined up.

Score 3: has further advanced base line with a bit more advanced chord progression.

Supplement: All chord formation of C major shows you all expansion of three primary chords of C major

This is done because you can play any one note to represent a certain chord.

On each score, there are alphabet are written. We call the alphabet as "Chord name". Each alphabet represents the chord that is built upon the alphabet. If you see Chord name F, that is to say chord F and you interpret it that there are 3 notes involved, F, A, C. By putting chord names instead of writing each note of the chord using lower clef, it makes you much easier to see which chord to play in relation to the melody line.

Check the flow of the base line of each score. I am pretty sure that you wish to find out your favorite base line all by yourself. To grade the flow you create, you can judge it by yourself using your own ear. The better you feel with the progression, the better the progression is. For that, as you have realized, you need to constantly upgrade your listening power by listening to the great jazz plays.

OK, that concludes the lesson of this week. practice the chord expansion. I have set the expanded format of each chord on the last page of the pdf file as well. And memorize how the chord is composed of. And develop your own base line for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and enjoy my program till I see you next week. Bye bye and good day.<End of narration/ video>