How to Make Your Ballads Sound Better by Embellishing the Chords!
This is the first piano lesson in a 3 part series with examples for how to play a ballad similar to the style that Elton John uses on songs like “Your Song” or “Tiny Dancer”. In this lesson we start of with some very simple patterns for the C major and F major chords. The biggest piece of advice I can give is to be comfortable with your inversions of chords and arpeggios. Don’t practice for perfection here.
Use these patterns as guidelines, making sure to change a few of the notes here and there each time you play them.
OUTLINE:
:10 - Example #1: The Easy Version: Rolling the chord Up
:25 - Example #2: Rolling the chord up & down.
:37 - Experiment with different rhythms and patterns for endless possibilities. Its up to you to be creative!
1:03 - Explanation of Chord Tones: Chord tones are the notes in the chord. Cmajor is made up of the chord tones “C E G”. Non-chord tones are all the other notes not in the chord (D, F, A, B,).
Practice Tip: Using Chord Tones and Non-Chord Tones
Use only the chord tones at first and then try to add non-chord tones as you get more comfortable with how they sound. Non-chord tones don’t always sound good with a chord so use caution. For example if you play the note F in your right hand, with the chord C major in your left hand, the E&F notes will clash. This clashing doesn’t sound good if you hold on the F for a long time. If you play the F note only for a short duration as just a passing note, then the clashing will not be that noticeable.
This is the type of teaching I’,ve been looking for for years. I appreciate your site.
Hello Chris
That is exactly what I want to learn
If you have others, I am happy
Thank you again
Best regards
G. MEUNIER
Ummmm…where do I get one of those buttons? I can’t seem to find one on my piano! LOL!
what was that small key board you were holding up there
I’m looking for something small to practice on /reasonably priced
Fun stuff. Starting off on the “easy’ side of things sure works for me sometimes. Kepp them coming.
you’re doing a great job! Very professional, but at the same time simple and direct. Hope you keep the lessons and songs coming!
Bye from Italy.
Thanks Eros! I try to make the lessons efficient. No need to waste your time with a bunch of talking… just show you examples. I’ll have some more coming soon!
Hi Fred! I usually like to start on easier versions of songs with my students and then add layers of more difficult patterns. But i think its important to be able to play something first.. if you try to bite off more than you can chew, it becomes frustrating sometimes and you lose momentum with your practice! I’ll have some more blues piano lessons coming soon!
Being an older adult I beat my self up for not learning as fast as I think I should. Your lessons in going slow at first are bringing my playing into focus. Thank you very much. It is always good to go back to the basics (baby steps).
Great lesson there! Looks like you’re a great teacher, hope you keep creating more videos.
Nice way of breaking some of chord learning chores. I found it simple but effective. Big thanks!