Tuner tunes

[thepianoarts]

    If you would like to learn a subtle yet profound 'harmonic' (left
hand...chords)  diatonic (meaning only using the seven tones in a Major
scale) sequence, 'by ear', which also allows you to compose the melody, try
the following:

First...
All chords are voiced with the 3rd. pulled out of the middle of the triad,
and put on top.   

For example,  'C' on the bottom, then the 'G', and then the 'E'.  (If you
can't reach the 'E' with your thumb, either play off the front ends of the
key and catch the front edge, or, use the sustain pedal to carry the notes
and play them arppeggiated.)

Then...
Once you learn to play the triad this way, all of the remaining chords use
the same 'cookie cutter' hand position.

Next...
The sequence goes-up 4, then down 5, up 4, down 5...etc. etc.  This keeps
the harmonic range contained.


The sequence is as follows:

1-4-7-3-6-2-5-1

i.e.,  C, then up (or down) to F...etc.

    You will notice a vauge resemblence to several million pieces of music.
Simple but profound...like gravity.  'Heart and Soul" for example, uses
1-6-2-5-1. In Bachs music, there is alot of  2-5-1.   5-1 is at the end of
most every Hymn ever written.

    If you will take the time to learn this sequence, you will train your
ear to be aware of this common harmonic movement of..."up 4".

    This harmonic sequence , although 'mathamatical' and limited to using
the seven tones of a triditional Major scale, can bring a depth of insight
into the meaning of this language called music. (I've had just one beer,
honest.)

Dan Reed

Dallas Texas Chapter