Q. Not sure which kind of 7th it is, in my jazz music it says "C7". It is the solo section in "Basically Blues", the first measure, and I have know idea what to do! there are other chords in there and I can learn them if i knew what they were, like "Bmi7" or "G6". This is a really cool piece, and I can't wait to see how it turns out!
A. Another poster said it well when he called C7 a dominant chord. Since dominant chords and their scales occur naturally off the fifth scale tone of a major scale, C7 is the dominant of F, so the primary scale choice is a C scale which uses the notes from F major (including the Bb, which is the seventh of the root, C).
Philip U, I'll recommend using the chord syllabus to the foreword of the New Real Books; in it every conceivable chord is shown- including advanced notions like 9ths, 11th, 13ths, and even slash chords (sometimes used as an abbreviation for a 9sus chord). Almost all the examples use C as a root, so you would need to move patterns to the root shown in the chart. If at all possible, use a piano or even small keyboard (yes, even a Casio or other home portable will do, but be sure to transpose appropriately for your instrument) to develop your sense of intervals in both a visual and listening sense. For now, here are the spellings of the three examples you cited:
C7: C E G Bb
Bmi7 B D F# A (scale could be related to A, G, or D major - depends on other chords around it and/or the melody, if any)
G6 G B D E (could be related to G or D major- it's D major if any melody note is a C# instead of a C).
I hope I've been helpful; happy improvising to you!
What is the most efficient way to improve piano technique?
Q. Ahh, just to elaborate. I practice, a lot, but I'm not sure if I'm practicing in a way that would help me improve the fastest.
Right now my approach is to learn up various difficult pieces, but I'm progressing painfully slowly.
Left: Jamming with tunes I know off the top of my head is absolutely no problem for me, because I have perfect pitch. However, I find myself getting constantly stuck because my left hand simply cannot keep up- I struggle to find the chords on my left, but my right hand can effortlessly pull off running passages of notes. How would you suggest I practice to get rid of this problem?
Tehran: Yes, that's the way I learn up difficult pieces. But my problem is, outside of playing these pieces and set notes, my technique is near abysmal.
When I say piano technique, I don't mean something like being able to play a set sequence of notes you learnt by setting them into the proverbial stone of your mind. I mean it as the ability to spontaneously create or being able to be a perfect sight reader without prior practice of the said piece. The former is muscle memory, while the latter is simply better core technique. And I'm asking, what's the most efficient way to improve this core technique?
A. Well, as the top poster suggested...practice...practice,...practice. One other think. If you really want to evolve and open your mind. Jam with your favorite music and try different approach as to Modes and soloing.
I practiced hours by copying guitar solos and following other guitarists work. Eventually. I developed a ver good ear, and a perfect sense of timing. Today, I teach :))
I do play piano and there again, I love to improve / It is easier on the piano because you can chord with your left hand and do counter-melodies with the right.
Edit....if your left hand doesn't keep up, then you are lacking in modal trechnique. Do you know your scales in all modes ?
I suspect that is lacking. And to jam with music you already know ispointless. Jam with music you never heard and then, apply different modes and these same modes have to have the correct chords to match.
Here is a good link that may help you in the left hand. I use this chart when I let my students play and I supply the chording. At least, I can hear and see what they are doing wrong.
http://www.apassion4jazz.net/jazz-chords-scales.html
This is related to jazz but will help you immensely in supplying you different scales to apply against your chording.
It would be fun if you had another pianist chording so you could exchange ideas. Or even, recording your left hand and on the playback, apply different modes with the right. Just a thought...
Enjoy.
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Title : What is a 7th chord?
Description : Q. Not sure which kind of 7th it is, in my jazz music it says "C7". It is the solo section in "Basically Blues", the fi...