LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Ballad playing...How do I connect the dots???

evansfan -- 02/11/2005, 19:01:19 -- #11171

For now, my desire is to play ballads in a jazz style. But how do I create a big (open voicing) sound between two hands beneath the melody? Does anyone have a method that creates arrangements that sound musical, and also utilizes the rich color tones, i.e., 9ths, 11ths, 13ths? I can play left hand voicings, embellishing them with color tones for days, but that doesn't create the sound I desire to create. 1) I want to learn to play the entire instrument, or in the very least, playing two handed open voicings beneath the melody note? 2) My ears suggest the more open the voicings, between 2 hands, the bigger the sound. I haven't been able to connect the dots when playing two handed voicings beneath the melody. Please, what am I missing? I've seen many a "comping" book, but fixed comping voicings don't work if I'm attempting to distribute voicings between two hands beneath the melody, and in addition, add color tones. I need some guidance...please help. Thanks to all in advance.

Father Mike -- 02/12/2005, 02:04:24 -- #11175

maybe you are hearing tenth voicings in your left hand and then the melody harmonized in your right?

albetan -- 02/12/2005, 09:37:47 -- #11181

Please see these files at Albetan's Area: Melodic voicings 1, 2, 3, 4. Harmonic voicings.

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