The significance of the block chord technique is that it allows a jazz pianist to harmonize any melody note of the C scale in 5 parts. The example below shows an ascending C Major scale over a C Maj7 chord. In fact, it would be antithetical to approach a mere chord progression with the block chord method. In other words, the melody note dictates the chord voicing. However, in jazz, when we approach melodic harmonization with block chords, we are thinking from the top down. The “bottom up” perspective views chords primary through the lens of their root and bass note for the purpose of identification and function. Students trained in classical music theory tend to think of chords from the bottom up. In that setting, it primarily refers to a left hand accompaniment technique, which is usually contrasted with “broken chord” patterns. In fact, if you come from a classical piano background, the term “block chords” means something entirely different. First, you must understand that this is a melodic harmonization technique. The first step to capturing that signature Shearing sound is to understand how and when to apply this technique.
However, for the purpose of this lesson, we’ll use the term with reference to the specific “Shearing-style” five-note harmonization practice. Sometimes, the term “block chords” is used more broadly to refer to any melodic harmonization of 4 or more notes. Many players also refer to this arranging technique as locked hands. The excerpt above is a tip of the hat to “Fly Me to the Moon” from our Play Piano Leads Sheets with Shells & Guide Tones course. Usually, the right hand plays the top 4 notes while the left hand plays 1 note (see example above). Specifically, this technique voices the melody in octaves with 3 notes in between. In the jazz language, block chords refers to an arranging technique in which a melody is harmonized in 5 parts. Intro to Block Chords for Jazz Piano Jonny’s “Fly On By” harmonized with block chords. You’ll find that this classic jazz piano sound is just right for the timeless melodies of your favorite jazz standards.
This sound is most notably associated with pianist George Shearing (1919–2011) who popularized the sound in the 1940s and 50s. In today’s Quick Tip, you’ll learn how to harmonize a melody using block chords in 6 steps. But what about the melody? For instance, how do you go beyond playing the melody as a single note? The answer is block chords. If you’ve been studying jazz piano for sometime, you’ve probably learned some jazzy chord voicings, especially for your left hand.
0 kommentar(er)
