Title of lesson: Basic left-hand broken chords
For beginners with very little musical background
There is always something for everyone to learn! If you have just that little bit of piano playing experience and you have
a keyboard or a piano with you right now, try these FREE tutorials for a start!
(Express 20 mins On-line Lesson)
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
For beginners with very little musical background
There is always something for everyone to learn! If you have just that little bit of piano playing experience and you have
a keyboard or a piano with you right now, try these FREE tutorials for a start!
(Express 20 mins On-line Lesson)
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.
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.
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 another pattern using the same rhythm, such as:
1 - 5 - 10
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.
Try that with Amazing Grace or any song you can play now!
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!memorising all the different variations using numbers!
1 - 5 - 10
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.
Try that with Amazing Grace or any song you can play now!
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!memorising all the different variations using numbers!
Title: FREE LESSONS - FOR BEGINNERS
PBE video duration: 63 secs
PBE video duration: 63 secs
C chord in 1-5-8 style- the notes are C (1), G (5), C (8) respectively
FREE ONLINE PIANO LESSONS (FOR BEGINNERS)
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ADDRESS: 245A / 245B VICTORIA STREET, BUGIS VILLAGE, SINGAPORE (188032) | TEL: +65 63387939 | EMAIL: INFO@PLAY-BY-EAR.NET
