Music Information

Just 3 Chords? No Way!


A student wrote me an email about the lesson "Ocean Dreams." Here it is:

"Dear Edward, I can't believe that you're using just 3 chords for this piece. It sounds like it uses much more material. Please tell me how you did it!"

Here's my answer - Dear B. First, thanks for listening to my free lesson. To answer your question, the secret to getting the full sound you hear in this piece is not in how many chords are used. It's in how the chord is voiced! Notice in the lesson that your left hand is very much open and covers a full octave of the keyboard.

This is what creates the full sound you hear! My right hand is playing melody notes pretty close to the left. Also, I use the principles of repetition and contrast to maintain interest. For example, you'll notice that there is a beginning section where the melody repeats. Then another section is added (still only using the same 3 chords) with a contrasting melody. Then back to the first theme so the whole piece can be broken down into what's commonly know as ABA form (even though this piece was improvised).

Using repetition and contrast, we create music that has a definable form or shape. ABA form is very, very common and is used in almost all genres of music, especially New Age. This is why I always say that you don't need a lot of material to create with. If you understand and use time tested principles, you can use just 3 chords and create an entire piece of music. I hope this answers your question. Regards, Edward Weiss.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!


MORE RESOURCES:

CTV.ca

Subscription music services: Are we there yet?
ZDNet - 11 hours ago
Microsoft on Thursday announced a new music subscription model for its Zune music player and the big question in the back of the room is this: Will ...
Microsoft lets Zune music subscribers keep tunes The Associated Press
Microsoft Announces New Zune Pass Music Subscription Model MarketWatch
Microsoft: Zune music subscribers can keep tracks Computerworld
CNET News - San Jose Mercury News
all 289 news articles


Dear Steve Jobs:Set your music free
CNET News, CA - 4 hours ago
The iTunes music library is looking a little shabby these days. Look around Steve: iTunes is the last great refuge of DRM-laden downloads. ...
All music going DRM-free on iTunes? Afterdawn.com
Apple In Talks To Offer More DRM-free Music Legit Reviews
Rumor: Apple close to signing major labels to iTunes Plus Ars Technica
MacBlogz - the iPhone Blog
all 15 news articles


NC Music Factory teams with Live Nation
Bizjournals.com, NC - 3 hours ago
ARK Group has inked a deal for international concert promoter Live Nation Worldwide Inc. to book events at ARK’s $27 million NC Music Factory in Charlotte, ...
NC Music Factory looks to expand, add jobs WCNC (subscription)
Live Nation to Present at JP Morgan 2008 SMid Cap Conference MarketWatch
all 24 news articles


Mashable

Mufin Releases Public Beta of First-of-Its-Kind Music Discovery Engine
MarketWatch - 9 hours ago
BERLIN, Nov 20, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Mufin, a new music discovery site that enables music lovers to tap into entirely new artists and songs ...
Mufin Opens Automated Music Recommendation Engine To The Public TechCrunch
Mufin opens up with Facebook app and iTunes plug-in CNET News
Mufin Brings Better Music Recommendations to iTunes ReadWriteWeb
Mashable - TechWhack (press release)
all 13 news articles


Washington Post

Julianne Hough Hangs Up Her Dancing Shoes
E! Online - 3 hours ago
The 20-year-old was quick to add that her bowing out was not a reaction to her recent medical emergency, but rather an attempt to further her country music ...
`DWTS' pro Julianne Hough won't return next season The Associated Press
Julianne Hough is done "Dancing" Chicago Sun-Times
'Dancing with the Stars' professional Julianne Hough leaving the show Reality TV World
MSNBC - OK! Magazine
all 182 news articles


Photos: Music to Their Ears
MarketWatch - 6 hours ago
Designed with music-lovers in mind, the Whoomp!(TM) Earbud Enhancers provide a secure in-ear fit, superior comfort and increased noise reduction to ...


Music Choice Announces the Urban Music Award Nominees for Most ...
MarketWatch - 10 hours ago
Music Choice, the award-winning, multi-platform video and music network, announces the Urban music award categories and nominees for MOST DEMANDED - The ...


mocoNews.net - Mobile Content Bits: Google Contacts Sync; Nokia ...
Washington Post, United States - 14 hours ago
Nokia (NYSE: NOK) Music Store Launches In Italy: With a catalog spanning more than 4 million songs, Nokia has launched its digital music store in Italy. ...


New York Daily News

Formerly Lavish Music Patron Is Convicted of Fraud
New York Times, United States - 23 hours ago
By DANIEL J. WAKIN Alberto W. Vilar, the investor and music lover accustomed to opulent living, front-row opera seats and the gratitude of arts impresarios, ...
Music Philanthropist Guilty of Fraud Chronicle of Philanthropy (subscription)
Verdict a dilemma for Vilar arts center Rocky Mountain News
all 350 news articles


Washington Post

Young conductor Gustavo Dudamel lives his dream
San Diego Union Tribune, United States - 6 hours ago
Even in the best of economic times, classical music faces huge challenges – particularly because of its aging audience. But if anybody can reach across the ...
Gustavo Dudamel, living up to the 'Twilight'-level hype Baltimore Sun
Gustavo Dudamel, Better Than the Hype Washington Post
New generation pays tribute to late Leonard Bernstein The State Journal-Register
The Jewish Journal of greater L.A
all 40 news articles

Music - Google News

home | site map
© 2006