Overview
This lecture covers six essential jazz piano chord voicing techniques, explaining their structure, rules, and how to apply each to the jazz standard "Autumn Leaves."
Introduction to Chord Voicings
- A chord voicing is the way chord notes are distributed on the piano, affecting texture and sound.
- Voicings can be made thicker or thinner by adding or omitting chord tones or extensions (like the 9th or 11th).
Basic Chords in "Autumn Leaves"
- The tune is in E minor.
- Chord progression for the A section: Am7, D7, Gmaj7, Cmaj7, F#m7b5, B7, Em7.
Voicing Technique #1: Chord Shells
- Chord shells use only two notes: root+7th or root+3rd, creating simple partial chords.
- Chord shells often alternate root-third and root-seventh patterns, following cycles of fifths.
- Useful for beginners and efficient for moving between chords.
Voicing Technique #2: Guide Tones
- Guide tones are the two most important notes in any chord: the 3rd and 7th.
- Typically played without the root; efficient for comping, especially with a bass player.
- Guide tones allow smooth voice leading with minimal hand movement.
Voicing Technique #3: Rootless Voicings
- Rootless voicings omit the root, often substituting it with the 9th; chord tones used are 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th.
- For dominant chords, the 5th is often replaced with the 13th.
- On minor 7b5 chords, keep the root for stability.
- Ideal for ensemble playing or solo piano with root jumps.
Voicing Technique #4: Block Chords
- Block chords stack the melody in octaves with three chord tones in the middle, creating a full five-note chord.
- Produces a thick, classic jazz sound; attributed to George Shearing style.
Voicing Technique #5: Drop Two Voicings
- In drop two voicings, the second note from the top of the block chord is dropped to the bottom.
- Maintains the same chord but creates a more open, spread texture.
Voicing Technique #6: Quartal Voicings
- Quartal voicings build chords primarily using fourth intervals, creating modern, open textures.
- Often use extended chords, like minor 11 or 6/9 chords, voiced in stacked fourths.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Chord Voicing — The arrangement of notes in a chord on the piano.
- Chord Shell — A two-note chord containing the root plus the 3rd or 7th.
- Guide Tones — The 3rd and 7th of a chord; key tones defining the chord’s sound.
- Rootless Voicing — A chord voicing omitting the root note, often adding extensions.
- Block Chord — Five-note voicing with melody in octaves and three inner chord tones.
- Drop Two Voicing — Block chord with the second note from the top moved to the bottom.
- Quartal Voicing — Chord built mainly on intervals of a fourth.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice each voicing technique using "Autumn Leaves" chords.
- Review chord shells and guide tone exercises in all keys.
- Explore block chords, drop two, and quartal voicings across keys.
- Listen to George Shearing and Red Garland for style reference.