LearnJazzPiano.com archives: What are these chords?

Billy -- 03/10/2005, 23:23:45 -- #11842

Ok, i have a question about some chords im using for a song, i dont really know what they are, and im not even sure what the root of them would be. I've Attached a midi of the song (key of E). Here are the chords i dont understand, you can hear them going into measure 4. AbD/GCE - This is sort of a passing chord to lead into the next chord GDb/GbBEbGb Does anyone know what these chords would be named? as well as what their function is in this situation? I have been unable to understand them on my own, so hopefully someone here will know. Also, does anyone know any other chords that would sound cool there, or anywhere else in the song for that matter? Thanks to all who help! Billy

Billy -- 03/15/2005, 19:03:08 -- #11967

bump. no one knows?

Dr. Whack -- 03/16/2005, 00:16:20 -- #11970

For some reason I can't get to your midi file.  I can't hear it in context but I use this voicing quite often so let's look at the first one. (they're both the same, just a half step apart)   The best way to determine a name for a chord is to arrange it in thirds.  Sometimes you'll have  to use a different spelling (enharmonic) to do that.  In this case, the best possible solution would be: E G# B# D Fx creating an E7+5+9 That same vocing would work very nicely as a rootless (and fiftless) Bb13#11 (Bb)D (F) Ab C E G

Billy -- 03/16/2005, 17:46:39 -- #11992

Thanks whacky. I dont know why the midi doesnt work for you...it seems to work for me. In context, heres the chords: at about 92bpm, with the snare on beat 3 |Amaj9| - |E/Ab|C#m11|F#m11|Bsus4add9|E|Bm9 E7alt|                ^insert chords here I think im using that A13#11 (or Eb7(+5+9)) in place of the C#m11, and i dont understand why that works in this context theoretically.

Dr. Whack -- 03/17/2005, 10:31:49 -- #12009

I finally got to hear your file...I'm hearing the chords differently from how you have them written here.  For example your C#m11 sounds like a C#11 - I didn't here an E in the chord...I also didn't really hear the passing chord you were talking about...it sounded to me like you played a D11 just before the C#11, which does make theoretical sense... The chord in measure three is simply and E major triad...also the Bsus4add9 could be more simply labeled as B11 nice changes...fairly common in gospel ballads

Billy -- 03/17/2005, 12:13:53 -- #12010

hmm, i thought the C# was a m11, because that would be the vi in E, and also, sometimes i do play it like a m9 or something like that. How can you tell the difference between the maj11 and min11 when there is no 3? Also, if you use vanbasco to view the midi, you can see that for that C#11, the bottom note in the voicing is G, and the chord just before it is the same, but a half step up. Is it still a C#11 but with a flatted 5th? thanks again!

Dr. Whack -- 03/17/2005, 14:55:20 -- #12017

In a "m11" there is a third - the minor third...in a straight 11th chord, the convention is to leave out the third and treat the chord as a sus4 unless the 11th is sharped (then obvioulsy we have to play the #11) I did hear the G in that C#11 chord but I thought it was a mistake in your playing.  I suppose you could call it a passing tone or a pedal tone, you feel a need to analyze it.  I still hear the basic chord progression as IV |  |I | vi11 |ii11 | V11  | I |etc... just my thoughts - I tend to simplfy:)

Billy -- 03/17/2005, 20:00:05 -- #12023

"I thought it was a mistake in your playing." hmm, that cant be good! lol thanks for your help whacky!

mynameis -- 04/07/2005, 13:05:43 -- #12566

Does anyone know of any P teacher that teach jazz and theory?

Paul -- 04/07/2005, 13:52:28 -- #12567

I wish I still lived in LA. There's tons of great musicians out there! If I were you I'd get a copy of the LA Weekly, LA Times calendar section, listen to the jazz station and see who's playing around town. Go to alot of places and talk to musicians and you'll get some good leads. If I was in LA, I'd study with Shelton Berg. He teaches at USC and wrote the "Goal Note Method". I sure he charges ALOT. I think Andrew Gordon (adgproductions.com) would be great too. He's written lots of books on blues, gospel, funk... Carlos Campos is another guy that comes to mind. Great Latin stuff Like I said, there lots of great players in LA. Take advantage of it! Make sure you really no your fundamentals before you start spending your money with these big name players.

LarryC -- 04/08/2005, 15:10:52 -- #12614

From a prior thread, check out Mark Harrison in LA. Larry

Paul -- 04/08/2005, 15:20:48 -- #12616

Yeah, I would want to check him out too.

mynameis -- 04/08/2005, 17:20:42 -- #12622

who is he? Do you take lessons from him?

Jazz+ -- 04/09/2005, 11:09:31 -- #12648

Contact Rob Mullins, he teaches jazz piano in LA and is a jazz recording artist and method book author. His website: http://www.planetmullins.com/ His books http://www.planetmullins.com/book.htm

mynameis -- 04/10/2005, 00:49:53 -- #12664

I would only that rob mullins guy charges $90 an hour!  I cant afford to take weekly lessons from him. to expensive

Dr. Whack -- 04/10/2005, 10:17:21 -- #12671

What are you paying for those Alfred lessons?

Dr. Whack -- 04/10/2005, 10:17:40 -- #12672

and how many will it take to get you where you want to be?

mynameis -- 04/10/2005, 15:38:55 -- #12678

i pay $80 per month right now with my current teacher.  So its $20 per half hour once a week.  Right now i just started book 2 of the alfred series and theres about 140 pages and im on page 31. After im done with that book 2, Then theres a book  3. Book 3 is the last book of the series.

Paul -- 04/10/2005, 19:35:56 -- #12682

any of the big name guys in LA or about anywhere else charge about $100.00. if you're still learning fundamental stuff, there would be no point in spending that kind of money.

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