Two Little Secrets For Better Chord Voicings

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Two Little Secrets For Better Chord Voicings

Рет қаралды 301,362

Күн бұрын

In this piano tutorial I will discuss two little tricks used quite a bit by more seasoned players to make even simple chords (triads) sound richer and fuller. One is using either add2 or add4 chords as they're called (by adding the 2nd or 4th degree of the scale), and the other is playing the bass on a note other than the root. This should give you some ideas on spicing up your own chord progressions and voicings.
If you need a refresher on how to build triads (major and minor chords mostly), please visit my Piano Quickie series to get you started. Here's a link to the playlist:
• Piano Quickie 1: Namin...
If you enjoyed this channel and want to show your love & support, please consider visiting my sister's online Etsy jewelry store, here:
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Пікірлер: 213

@zeyy84 4 жыл бұрын

"This probably sounds like chinese to many of you, unless you're chinese then it sounds like another language" I'm ded

@DanielRize 7 жыл бұрын

Your point about no "better" in art is so absolutely true. And the issue of "smooth voice leading" that you make toward the end of this lesson is a good example. "Smooth voice leading" is so often strongly encouraged --- as though it were necessarily "better". Not always so. Sometimes less-smooth leading in the transition between two particular chords - - - if it happens on a repeated transition of those two chords --- can add an interesting auditory surprise. And nice surprises are the highest form of art. Go Mangold Project !

@NebulousWyatt 6 жыл бұрын

I agree with you completely on this one! I don't even really hear the big deal in voice leading. I love it when music jumps from high octaves to low octaves and vice versa

@PianoTipping 8 жыл бұрын

Nice video. Very clear. I think I unconsciously do a lot of "add2" and "add4" chords automatically but never play the 3rd as the lowest bass note like that, very cool.

@Nyanaid 8 жыл бұрын

I know music theory and harmony (still studying it though) and I know how to form chords and how to connect and what to connect correctly. What I don't know however is how to make it sound good and how to actually make a song out of what I know. Your videos help me a lot to learn this and I am very grateful that I stumbled across your channel :)

@dharmendrathacker165 4 жыл бұрын

Sir, Your Piano playing sounds so sweet and divine . Which tone do you choose to play ? Pl tell me.

@southpark4151 3 жыл бұрын

That demonstration you gave at 10:32 is absolutely fantastic. The first one has a nice subtle transition - much more relaxing, while the second one has a big swing - more momentum - less relaxing on the ear.

@scottswan62 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you sincerely for a great series of videos. Just found your entire video series over the past week and am using it extensively to further my piano skills. Your method of instruction is spot on - playing the sample, followed by explanation of technique and then relevance for theory and application. I am an ethnomusicologist, performing musician, and instructor (primary instrument is guitar for 40+ years), and so I am at a stage where I know how to approach learning the instrument, I just need to see and hear technique and theory as it applies to piano (and then practice, practice practice until I gain familiarity with the keyboard). I say this because I have searched for the past year, and while there are many good KZfaq videos, yours works well for beginners and advanced players. Well done! And, thank you!

@marktinoco6119 7 жыл бұрын

You are a true teacher. Thank you for sharing.

@ralphiemason5318 5 жыл бұрын

Not only are you a fantasic teacher. You are an amazing musician. Thank you again

@opendoorproperty 6 жыл бұрын

I've been playing guitar for a few years and singing even longer. I've tried to play piano but it intimidated me to be honest. NOW, i have discovered piano as a great songwriting instrument (for me) I've been playing block chords but after watching this video I'm PUMPED to try what you've taught. Thanks for sharing your gift and talent with the youtubers out here.

@thekneebreaker4790 8 жыл бұрын

smooth like silk, real nice sound. as usual a great lesson, you let the music do the talking and move at a decent pace, you don't apologise for your harder lessons for advanced players and nor do you get bogged down by going over the basics for most of the lesson. I clicked on your jewellery store, it's all nice stuff

@MangoldProject 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot!

@violetatio3224 2 жыл бұрын

I get enlightened by your lesson . Thank you very much.

@upuiaropati6839 Жыл бұрын

Great lesson , a good way to learn melodic chord playing , thanks bro

@marktinoco4904 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your desire to educate.

@patbenvenuti7470 3 жыл бұрын

I really enjoy your videos and I am learning some great stuff and playing ideas...!!

@fuzexi 7 жыл бұрын

Wow! I've been going to classes learning about music for over a year and nobody told me this! Thanks for your brilliant tutorials!

@cafiristanemperor 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for sharing these secrets with us. You have saved me quite some time here, because I have asked about this subject to some music teachers where I live here in Brazil and it sounded like either they didn't know much about it (which I kind of doubt, since some of them were quite good musicians) or they wanted to keep the air of mistery about compositional technique. Some of them sounded almost mystical, saying things like "Oh, you have to become one of the lodge members and be chosen by the Very Euterpe to understand this", LOL.

@johncracker5217 3 жыл бұрын

Gotta love the cat scrambling by

@creeksidechris3384 5 жыл бұрын

Thank u.. I play by ear for too long.. I'm really enjoying the videos and am learning to understand what makes those pretty chords!!

@southpark4151 3 жыл бұрын

That is really awesome. That really does make something common become something like seasoned or professional. Once again ----- really golden teachings here. That method of using the thumb to play 2 notes simultaneously is really clever as well. Thanks very much!!

@richochet Жыл бұрын

Great, thank you!

@lawrencetaylor4101 2 жыл бұрын

Merci beaucoup for your videos. I'm just beginning but your channel helps me to learn that musical element that I lack. Great explanations. And love your cat's cameos.

@prince170591 8 жыл бұрын

"and my Cat agrees" 6:05

@MangoldProject 8 жыл бұрын

When he doesn't agree he jumps on the keyboard midway through the take and I have to restart ...

@kelinjohnson7421 8 жыл бұрын

what would you recommend to someone like me who hasn't played a instrument since 1999 i always wanted to play guitar and piano but they seemed very very hard is there an easy way of learning them?

@MangoldProject 8 жыл бұрын

There's no "easy" way, just the "regular" way: buy an instrument you like, find a teacher, take lessons, and practice!

@KostyaKanishev 8 жыл бұрын

You can see him at 2:32 and 2:44

@turiukaseka 7 жыл бұрын

he is so scary

@nisargrajguru4125 5 жыл бұрын

I really like the light humour you are adding in your videos

@philipiano3178 3 жыл бұрын

Great teaching in its simplicity 😊

@julianmalarz5227 4 жыл бұрын

This was SUPER helpful. I appreciate your channel so much.

@BAwesomeDesign 8 жыл бұрын

Ugh. That pun! :P Of course it bears saying that the difference between a suspend and an add is that in a suspend (sus) you omit the 3. With an add, you leave it in. Thanks!

@MangoldProject 8 жыл бұрын

+BAwesomeDesign Exactly. Thanks for pointing that out.

@gargamel477 8 жыл бұрын

So simple, so powerful :) Two songs which I played before now sound much, much better :) Thx

@richie1027 8 жыл бұрын

Very effective teaching. Thank you so much

@JustAddAsh 5 жыл бұрын

ABSOLUTELY MIND BLOWINGLY JUICILY DELICIOUSLY AWESOOOOOME

@samrangdale8971 4 жыл бұрын

Ngl thaat's kinda cringe bro.

@JoeDoe2 5 жыл бұрын

Where did you learn all this stuff? Was it just from playing a lot of sheet music of writers that you liked, and paying attention to what they were doing? Did you somehow find a private teacher who focused on pop/jazz theory and every possible voicing of every possible chord, rather than Mozart and Chopin? What do you think of other notes like 2 and 7 in the bass? I've seen it in sheet music, like Stevie Wonder's "Send One Your Love."

@DEVAPRIYAN 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you bro. Very interesting theory lesson. It's sounds very nice. I am practicing your lessons. Thank you so much

@mumumumumumumummm 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for a great lesson.

@NordTonne 6 жыл бұрын

Finally everything becomes clearer. Many thank's MangoldProject for your time. It should be learn in musical school in France. Now I'll have knowledge to do what I want. I just need many pratrices.

@osagie2 7 жыл бұрын

Hello Mangold ! Just checked back for more tips and inspiration ! Many thanks ! Regards from Switzerland !

@SubBlackIndustries 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much, clear and concise lessons!

@guillermopeitton4359 8 жыл бұрын

Cool tips Assaf, thank you very much, hug !!!

@moustafaabdulreda 8 жыл бұрын

great lesson and a great teacher

@juliansolo1825 6 жыл бұрын

Awesome, huge thanks!

@DoctorJezz 8 жыл бұрын

Great pithy demo of a really impactful technique. I kept hearing that distinctive "nobody to love" piano riff by Sigma in this technique. I actually transcribed that a while back, but I hadn't caught on to the "trick" of the the third of the one shifting one semitone to the one of the five. Another great lesson Assaf, many thanks! :)

@MangoldProject 8 жыл бұрын

You're welcome Jezz. I was actually thinking of Chicago with those chord voicings and particular piano sound!

@yasminazaadeh4177 8 жыл бұрын

Your videos have improved my playing! Thank you :)

@vasanthbojan6064 4 жыл бұрын

My Dear brother, I am vasanth, from India Tamilnadu, Thank you for teaching piano through your youtube channel, I'm the beginner of piano so please kindly Give the (CDEF) alphabetical notes for your teaching it was very helpful for the beginers like me. Thanking you!

@aureliasianturi8761 7 жыл бұрын

nice lesson! keep teaching us with ur kind heart :):) very helpful for me personally..

@isaacoguns 7 жыл бұрын

Loved it! Thanks

@stefan1024 6 жыл бұрын

Really good and deep explanation of this basic subject. Thank you a lot! Some minor chords would have been nice though. An added 2nd has more "friction" with a minor 3rd while an added 4th clashes more with a major 3rd, for example. But I guess you wanted to keep it practical. Anyway, thank yu again. :)

@tjackson864 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing it was very helpful.

@jacobgeorge266 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot for your nice teaching videos. May god bless you...

@sallysummers3941 8 жыл бұрын

What I like about your videos is that you play examples of what you teach, which puts your lesson tips in context. This is a great tip, and really adds (pardon the pun) richness to a simple 1-4-5 progression. I plan to learn your sample progression in all 12 keys.

@elianmusic7452 4 жыл бұрын

I love you Mangoldproject -- youre too good to us ..

@electricfireplace5071 8 жыл бұрын

these little things are the best and the most simple to learn, thanks!

@MangoldProject 8 жыл бұрын

You're welcome. Like I just told another viewer who left a comment on another video, that's what I try to do in my videos - show little "tricks" piano players pick up over the years.

@Moe-Neamah 6 жыл бұрын

You are such a master genius teacher

@FitLife6767 8 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@LS-sz7tt 8 жыл бұрын

This is so helpful. Thank you!!!

@unexpected8166 2 жыл бұрын

gamechanger...

@SomeCollege 6 жыл бұрын

Great Video! I immediately heard, in my mind, Eric Clapton's "Layla" at the start of this video, so I went to a piano and learned how to play it using this knowledge. Thanks!

@shkeni 6 жыл бұрын

Great tips, thank you. It seemed like you were about to launch into "Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera at any moment with that style and piano sound :)

@MangoldProject 6 жыл бұрын

Yep, classic 80s sound :)

@gerardoguerra9780 8 жыл бұрын

Your videos are very interesting and usefull. Thanks for share it !

@MangoldProject 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Gerardo!

@davivify 6 жыл бұрын

Very cool video, Mr. Mangold :-) And the idea of using a 3rd int the bass opens up a whole avenue of study, that is one of using a non tonic in the bass. 3rd is very nice. Handle used it to create a majestic or 'triumphal' sound . Of course there are other choices: 2 (similar to add-2), 4 (stark, Carole King used it on Home Again), 5, 6 (creates the relative minor), and b7. Which also introduces the topic of pedal tones - which I believe you've already covered?

@MangoldProject 6 жыл бұрын

I think I have two videos at this point about pedal points/tones. But you actually gave me an idea of exploring different bass notes for a given chord, even as simple as a triad. That would make for a cool video.

@visuvasamthevakumar8923 7 жыл бұрын

very nice

@hungryformusik 4 жыл бұрын

Nice to hear that your sister runs the etsy store. Isn't she located in Spain? Some of these bracelets for men are hip. Couple of years ago I gave one of them to my son and since then he didn't took it off. I already have five or six of them. Best, Alex

@jairovs2002 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks teacher

@williethomas2628 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@JermaineWilsonOfficial 8 жыл бұрын

Great video, Thank you

@chiyer7849 7 жыл бұрын

Jermaine Wilson

@exoressdelivers70 8 жыл бұрын

While I understand that everyone is not at the same level in their music skills I believe when you're talking about adding 2nds and 4ths to triads that it is a waste of time to try to explain what the C major scale is built on and what a triad is. If the person who is looking at this video has no clue what a C major scale is built on or how to build a triad then they should not even be looking at this video about adding 2nds and 4ths. You have done a remarkable job by uploading other videos for absolute beginners to the world of music and they should be IMMEDIATELY directed to those videos. Even 2 minutes time explaining what the C scale is wasted time. Thanks for all you do.

@MangoldProject 8 жыл бұрын

+Exoress Delivers Could be. Many however have heard the terms and concepts but in another context, or with another emphasis, so I feel it's not really a waste spending 1-2 minutes on revisiting old concepts (and presenting only those parts that are relevant to the current video).

@davidlerell 5 жыл бұрын

Beautiful

@CuzCutz 5 жыл бұрын

At 10:40, Phil Collins based an entire song around those 2 chords. The song “One More Night”. 😁

@eggbass 8 жыл бұрын

Very helpful!

@MangoldProject 8 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it.

@tania2654 8 жыл бұрын

Sweet voicing

@MangoldProject 8 жыл бұрын

+Tania Ghosh Thanks Tania.

@dsgwyw 5 жыл бұрын

Apart from teaching piano , i love your sense of humour :)

@William_sJazzLoft 5 жыл бұрын

I like your sense of humor. They don't call them try_adds for nothing 😂

@MangoldProject 5 жыл бұрын

Busting out dad jokes since 2008.

@ArgoBeats 7 жыл бұрын

This is gold, man, thank you: can we apply the 3rd as bass to dominant chords as well?

@MangoldProject 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, and yes :)

@user-jz2sl5fu7n 3 жыл бұрын

יפה מאוד, תודה על המידע.

@sandman0829 8 жыл бұрын

Great video!

@nathanielbedside8974 8 жыл бұрын

thanks for the video, man

@MangoldProject 8 жыл бұрын

+Bedastr You're welcome.

@omnificatorg4426 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for a good lesson! Your piano seems to be tuned in a kind of meantone (about 1/5-comma), doesn't it? I like the sound :)

@faithjoy9638 8 жыл бұрын

Bravo! Merci

@viktoronopko2090 7 жыл бұрын

nice tut, love that cat :)

@southpark4151 3 жыл бұрын

Good pun at 3:24 too heheheh

@victorlaw4256 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I thought I was following then I couldn't follow anymore when you did the "B flat major" thing at 9:20. What's that? Why was a B flat used there? Thanks.

@Wourghk 8 жыл бұрын

+Victor Law Well, it sounds okay, right? A theoretical explanation could be that B-flat is the IV of F (IV of IV of C). As for "why", you can use any chord combinations you like, even C to C-flat, if you just perform them in a way that makes a nice pattern with some musical sense.

@victorlaw4256 8 жыл бұрын

I see. Thanks for enlightening. Greatly appreciated.

@MrMikomi 4 жыл бұрын

Well TBH it is not clear in that little piece whether he was in C or F. He started in C but almost ended in F. If he was in F of course Bb is just the IV. If he was in C Bb could be a passing chord I suppose or a substitute for the V G).

@ginario6791 5 жыл бұрын

where'd the B major chord come in there? were you playing in the key of c major?

@marianionita3282 4 жыл бұрын

He switched to G major scale.

@emmanuellarnyo6186 8 жыл бұрын

nice one

@viktoronopko2090 7 жыл бұрын

just wondering why add4 is less common than add2, which is less far away from the root note C

@spada60 8 жыл бұрын

nice lesson but please do not call any chord boring. Every chord has its place and they all sound beautiful. That's what's so great about music.

@MangoldProject 8 жыл бұрын

Every chord is special :)

@ceejaymerkin3126 7 жыл бұрын

spada60

@ceejaymerkin3126 7 жыл бұрын

MangoldProject

@ceejaymerkin3126 7 жыл бұрын

MangoldProject

@nafsikagavala8373 8 жыл бұрын

I recently started watching your videos and I really love them, they are very helpful!! Thank you so much!!! I would like to ask you something.... I had been attending piano lessons for 5 years, but I stopped it. I LOVE piano and I don't know what to do in order to improve my piano skills. This period of time I play along with a "bouzouki" (it's a Greek instrument) and I mainly play the chords. But... I don't know how to "fill" them and they sound boring. Could you please tell me what to do in order to improve my technique on chords and arpeggios? Thank you very much!

@MangoldProject 8 жыл бұрын

1. Play with other people. 2. Imitate great keyboard players, transcribe their music & hunt down their sheet music. 3. Watch my channel :D (4. And there are also lots of other great channels here on youtube)

@eulaliomoreno7000 6 жыл бұрын

Great

@suksessukses5525 2 жыл бұрын

2:45 😊😊😊

@rajeevmediacreationsclt2775 4 жыл бұрын

Please add D major scale chords

@monajamien 7 жыл бұрын

Is this applicable to inversions as well?

@jakubjunga 5 жыл бұрын

Hey The piece you play at the beginning is what I always wanted to do. Just getting started. Do you know a course with which I can learn to play such pieces in this way?

@Healmyheart68 4 жыл бұрын

Me too

@G_yutt 5 жыл бұрын

This is where it gets tricky😂😂im running away

@DanielRize 7 жыл бұрын

Assaf, is there any difference between "Add 2" and Sus 2", or say "Add 4" and "Sus 4"? Seems like the same thing to me, but I am guessing that I am missing a significant point.

@MangoldProject 7 жыл бұрын

Yes. "Add2" means adding the 2. "Sus2" means replacing the 3 with the 2. Example: Cadd2 = C D E G Csus2 = C D G

@floridaraceday3089 7 жыл бұрын

I love your videos!!!!! Can I ask what keyboard you use?

@MangoldProject 7 жыл бұрын

Yes: a Roland RD700GX

@floridaraceday3089 7 жыл бұрын

+MangoldProject you play incredibly

@dharmendrathacker165 4 жыл бұрын

Sir, Your Piano playing sounds so great, sweet and divine. Will please tell me which tone you choose to play ?

@dharmendrathacker165 4 жыл бұрын

Sir, Which tone you use which sounds so sweet and beautiful and divine ?

@jasonparnes1388 4 жыл бұрын

First 3 chords sounds like circle of life by Elton John

@MangoldProject 4 жыл бұрын

And they move us all.

@TheDude-vx6wn 5 жыл бұрын

I agree with your cat. Thank you for the great tutorial.

@fumihimu2286 8 жыл бұрын

Cat! 1:37

@MangoldProject 8 жыл бұрын

+Fumi Himu Actually there *two* cats in this video, if you can spot them ;)

@danielthompson5785 5 жыл бұрын

Was that Chicago?

@MegaFashionTrance 8 жыл бұрын

Hi, want to ask, I started practising piano for few months, about 3 hours a day, and I have solid pain in my fingers bones. Is it normal for beginner ? is there a digital piano with very low pressure keys ?

@MangoldProject 8 жыл бұрын

I'm not a medical doctor so I recommend you first of all seek medical advice on medical issues. I will say that there will be inevitable fatigue after practicing for long hours, but pain isn't usually something positive. It might be related to improper technique, and I suggest you take some lessons with a (good!) classically trained pianist to check and correct for such issues. There aren't any "low pressure" digital pianos I'm aware of. Some companies (Roland, Yamaha, Kawai, etc) are a bit lighter than others, but if you want low pressure you usually just got for synths.

@edcleary 4 жыл бұрын

When you say degree do you mean the first note, the middle note and the last note. I find the word degree confusing. from Ed Claravall

@MangoldProject 4 жыл бұрын

Watch my Piano Quickie series here on KZfaq.

@jmthm03 7 жыл бұрын

I always call them "C on E" (C with the bass on E) or "G on B" (G with the bass on B) etc.. haha I don't know how to named them, just call them like that..

@junjune5898 7 жыл бұрын

you can name them...C over E or G over B when you use the 3rd degree as your root or your base

@eboyeman8457 4 жыл бұрын

They are called slash chords