Getting into the holiday spirit with Christmas Time Is Here from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Music by Vince Guaraldi. Watch on Christmas Time Is Here by Graham English Watch on Christmas Time Is Here by Graham English Watch on Viddler … [Read more...]
Who is Dick Grove?
DICK GROVE (1927-1998) had a distinguished career as a professional writer and composer in Los Angeles and as a unique innovator in the field of contemporary music education. In 1973 he founded the world-renowned Grove School of Music in Los Angeles … [Read more...]
Piano Voicings Part 6: Clusters
Clusters usually span no more than a fifth and include both half steps and whole steps. Clusters increase tension and when preceding open chords can make them seem wider. Clusters also sound good when rolled. … [Read more...]
Piano Voicings Part 5: Kenny Barron Voicings
Kenny Barron voicings are composed of two perfect fifths in each hand and separated by a minor second: This symmetrical voicing can also be played with a major second between the two hands creating a completely different chord quality. Notice … [Read more...]
Piano Voicings Part 4: Upper Structure Chords
Upper structure chords consist of a triad-or triad inversions-over a tritone. Here's a chart of common upper structures: … [Read more...]
Piano Voicings Part 3: Fourth Chords
Fourth chords create harmonies reminiscent of McCoy Tyner's playing. Stacked fourths have a wide open texture and are complimented very well by pentatonic scales. Begin on the third of a major scale and keep adding fourths as your taste dictates. … [Read more...]
Piano Voicings Part 2: So What Chords
So what chords get their name from the song of the same title on Miles Davis' record, Kind Of Blue. This voicing consists of a series of three perfect fourths with a third on top: So what chords can be moved up and down all scale degrees of … [Read more...]
Piano Voicings Part 1: Left Hand Voicings
Left hand piano voicings enable you to play the basic progression of jazz harmony, II-V-I, with good voice leading while freeing your right hand for soloing. The most important notes in these chords are the third and seventh because they determine … [Read more...]