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(Express 10 mins On-line Lesson)
Lesson: Basic left-hand broken chords
For beginners with little musical background
Learn - 1-5-8
We are assuming you are able to play a little, and probably have some understanding of basic chords. If you don't, try lesson: Your First Song
For this lesson, we shall use 'Amazing Grace' as our example. You can download the full fake sheet score for Amazing Grace here ... DOWNLOAD AMAZING GRACE
(Express 10 mins On-line Lesson)
Lesson: Basic left-hand broken chords
For beginners with little musical background
Learn - 1-5-8
We are assuming you are able to play a little, and probably have some understanding of basic chords. If you don't, try lesson: Your First Song
For this lesson, we shall use 'Amazing Grace' as our example. You can download the full fake sheet score for Amazing Grace here ... DOWNLOAD AMAZING GRACE
Let's try playing the song 'Amazing Grace' using both hands. The left hand will play Broken chords, while the right hand plays the melody.
What are broken chords? Before that, let's talk about block chords. A typical block chord is formed when you play all 3 notes together at the same time.
Now, a broken chord is basically the opposite. It is played separately instead of together, hence the term 'broken'.
Let's try playing a very easy left-hand broken chord: 1 - 5 - 8
We know that in a chord, there are 3 notes. For instance, C chord = C, E, G. The ‘1-5-8’ refers to the respective numbers (notes) in the scale of the
chord.
Example:
C chord in 1-5-8 style- the notes are C (1), G (5), C (8) respectively
What are broken chords? Before that, let's talk about block chords. A typical block chord is formed when you play all 3 notes together at the same time.
Now, a broken chord is basically the opposite. It is played separately instead of together, hence the term 'broken'.
Let's try playing a very easy left-hand broken chord: 1 - 5 - 8
We know that in a chord, there are 3 notes. For instance, C chord = C, E, G. The ‘1-5-8’ refers to the respective numbers (notes) in the scale of the
chord.
Example:
C chord in 1-5-8 style- the notes are C (1), G (5), C (8) respectively
Thus, when we play F chord in 1-5-8 style- the notes are F (1), C (5), F (8) respectively
As for the rhythm to be applied to 1-5-8 (and the rest of the other left-hand patterns we'll be learning in this lesson), use this:
Hence in C chord, you will play this way ...
Great! Now, try playing Amazing Grace using the 1-5-8 pattern. Once you are done with that, try other patterns using the same rhythm, such as:
1 - 5 - 10 OR 1 - 12 - 17
While playing on your left hand, you may find that your left hand 'clashes' with your right hand. In such a case, you can consider playing your melody
an octave higher to make 'space' for your left hand.
Ok, now try playing a broken chord pattern with added chord notes at the end, for instance:
1 - 5 - (8 & 10 together) OR 1 - 5 - (10 & 12 together)
Try that with Amazing Grace or any song you can play now! Sounds good?
Hope you had fun!
NOTE: It is important to understand that the method of using numbers (1-5-8, 1-5-10, etc..) to identify notes on your left hand is only for explanation
purposes. In the long term, you shouldn't be counting numbers while playing, for instance counting how many keys to jump from 1 to 5 to 10 to 17 and
so on. Instead, you should be looking at the notes you are playing with. You should be recognising the chord notes, not the 'spacings'. Because, in
future when you are able to improvise better on your left hand, you can't be possibly memorising all the different variations using numbers!
1 - 5 - 10 OR 1 - 12 - 17
While playing on your left hand, you may find that your left hand 'clashes' with your right hand. In such a case, you can consider playing your melody
an octave higher to make 'space' for your left hand.
Ok, now try playing a broken chord pattern with added chord notes at the end, for instance:
1 - 5 - (8 & 10 together) OR 1 - 5 - (10 & 12 together)
Try that with Amazing Grace or any song you can play now! Sounds good?
Hope you had fun!
NOTE: It is important to understand that the method of using numbers (1-5-8, 1-5-10, etc..) to identify notes on your left hand is only for explanation
purposes. In the long term, you shouldn't be counting numbers while playing, for instance counting how many keys to jump from 1 to 5 to 10 to 17 and
so on. Instead, you should be looking at the notes you are playing with. You should be recognising the chord notes, not the 'spacings'. Because, in
future when you are able to improvise better on your left hand, you can't be possibly memorising all the different variations using numbers!
FREE ONLINE LESSONS (SPONSORED BY PLAY BY EAR MUSIC SCHOOL)
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
Left hand pattern
(1 - 5 - 8) with Amazing
Grace
Click below to watch
video clip!
WMV format
Left hand pattern
(1 - 5 - 8) with Amazing
Grace
Click below to watch
video clip!
WMV format
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
Left hand pattern
(1 - 5 - 10) with
Amazing Grace
Click below to watch
video clip!
WMV format
Left hand pattern
(1 - 5 - 10) with
Amazing Grace
Click below to watch
video clip!
WMV format
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
Left hand pattern
(1 - 5 - 8 & 10) with
Amazing Grace
Click below to watch
video clip!
WMV format
Left hand pattern
(1 - 5 - 8 & 10) with
Amazing Grace
Click below to watch
video clip!
WMV format
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ADDRESS: 245A / 245B VICTORIA STREET, BUGIS VILLAGE, SINGAPORE (188032) | TEL: 63387939 | EMAIL: INFO@PLAY-BY-EAR.NET
ADDRESS: 245A / 245B VICTORIA STREET, BUGIS VILLAGE, SINGAPORE (188032) | TEL: 63387939 | EMAIL: INFO@PLAY-BY-EAR.NET
