What Are Sugar Chords?

[@SonDialer]

You explained years worth of questions, that I thought were unrelated, and tied them all together in this one concept. Most significantly, I discovered what question Im trying to ask. Great lesson and well articulated.

[@norakat]

Which is?

[@OtherMongrel]

which is?

[@SonDialer]

@@OtherMongrel Its been a while, had to watch again. Im an ammeter learning how to play. I think my confusion comes in trying to figure out how to decide when to play a 5th, 7th, or octave along with the base in the left hand.

[@larrypatterson2340]

Think expression, that's what separates you from the rest, EXPRESSION !💯🏌️✅

[@hugoapresname]

❤Larry thanks I ll try that. Because you can’t/shouldn’t think about voicing structures when playing by heart and from the heart! 😢 I‘ll try what ‚voice‘, what ‚feeling’ of sound to transmit (to sing… sing with my whole body and soul, like you would want to with your voice too).😊 ❤ Also I learned most when learning by *playing* stuff or exercises my teacher showed me, less by thinking about it. And I TRIED thinking about it! Maybe only to set up my own exercises? Like Jesus Christ tells us: to evaluate ourselves? And find out what is *my* cross to carry? What is really helping, brings me closer to our heavenly father (and not to the next page in the theory book)❤❤❤❤

[@alasdairduncan3]

I have nowhere near the level of understanding required to grasp this subject matter, but you explained it all so well that I could still follow every word. You're clearly a great teacher.

[@terrylaw18]

I’m 68. Took piano lessons as a kid. Picked up rock in high school and even aspired to jazz at the time. Loved Blood sweat & tears and a lot of the jazz that was around then but never really learned it well. I would listen to Oscar Peterson and wonder how a human being could play like that. Keith Emerson too. Anyway did play in rock and rock & roll bands even in clubs in the 70s & 80s. Gave it all up for a career as a mechanic. But I still practice and noodle around at home Have a few friends who would like to jam but I find it frustrating that even my limited ability exceeds theirs. Got on this channel by chance. I watch Adam and think when I retire and have more time I can try to learn some of this material. But if I had one tenth of his ability I’d be happy. I feel practically a beginner seeing the amount of knowledge out there

[@Skootavision]

New sub! Pianist of 40 years and still learning. I've been upping my piano improvisation game for the last decade and am very happy I found your channel. PDF downloaded for incorporation into laters' practice. Thanks 🙏

[@chrisring123]

Right there with you, Ed. New sub today, and forty years in as well. This is like a cooking show today - new recipe possibilities! 👍

[@danieltonga6052]

I'm a jazz guitarist looking to venture into piano, and I feel like this idea has opened up a wide new realm of possibilities for me in terms of voicings and movement. Kept feeling like I was getting stuck in rootless voicings in the right hand or alternating between open and closed voicings. Thank you for this video!

[@slaneyaudio1948]

Check out Larry Carlton's voicings.

[@TheMAU5SoundsLikThis]

You can use all of these voicings on guitar too, my uncle loves using them and they sound great

[@musical_lolu4811]

Joe Pass is the closest you can get for transitioning into non-rootless voice leading piano voicings.

[@conradoalpiano]

Señor Adam Maness, yo antes pensaba que para mover las voces interiores de los acordes habia que hacer un curso para brujos, pero gracias a su sencillez, claridad y filantropía al transmitir su conocimiento tan generosamente, ahora veo las cosas más claras, y aunque parezca exagerado las veo más fáciles. Para mí, usted es un apóstol de la música. Muchas gracias. Estoy suscrito a este canal y mis likes no faltan nunca. Dios lo bendiga en unión de su familia.

[@denisdiblasio1420]

Great! Great! Great! Explained it slowly, repeat it, demonstrated it. Made it simple to see . Bravo!

[@adamwhitford2177]

this is so frickin valuable even for other instruments. I play bass and thinking about playing with roots/dropping other notes from the chord. I am impressed by anyone who can think like this on the fly to be doing both the voicing changes in the right hand and what to pick up in the left hand. I am just sitting here trying to think how I could only do the left hand stuff but on bass. Love this stuff so so so much.

[@bbrennan1550]

I'm picking up what you're putting down.

[@scoro64]

It's very nice to accidently stomp on a tutorial that focusses on that exact phrase of the tune I'm trying to learn rn. It feels even more effective after trying to work around the tune on myself first by listening and noodling around and then to watch this. I'm like "ahh that's the sound I'm hearing and couldn't figure it out" and I'm more familiar with the problems and issues that are dealt with. Guess finding and watching this video will have a refreshing impact on my learning process. Been stuck for a long while now. It feels good to make one small step in the right direction

[@velociraptor75013]

13:45 - you must believe in spring (bill Evans) - so beautiful !!

[@drewjansen7825]

You remind me why my degrees are in Music Theory! Delightfully informative. You're a natural on camera.

[@DanielGonzalezC]

When he said that's when being a nerd pays off, I really felt that.

[@skybabyfingaz]

Can you help meee??? 😢

[@skybabyfingaz]

@@DanielGonzalezC me tooo lol

[@davidjoseph3403]

Yep. Good on camera.❤

[@insidejazzguitar8112]

Wonderful lesson. I’m having a guitarist’s envy of piano. Explanations are perfectly clear and lovingly delivered.

[@SolarMumuns]

Ha! I get that all the time! Guitar is great but, uh, piano chords are so full and lush!

[@thestagerocks]

This will sound trite but it isn't I promise. The guitar's limitations are what make it great! Hear me out. Ok the guitar isn't the most powerful or the fullest of instruments. BUT!...it has the greatest range...of expression. Bend slide chord melody double stops vibrato tremolo volume effects whammy-bar taping hammer ons tone control attack percussive-hits sustain pull offs palm muting. How is this a limitation? Well, you have to make decisions. No one can do it all. Every single note you have a choice of how to play the note. No two ways are exactly the same. Never mind the fact that the guitar forces you to use creative voicing for extended chords. And therein lies the character of the guitar.

[@insidejazzguitar8112]

@@thestagerocks Agreed!

[@thestagerocks]

@@insidejazzguitar8112 Oh my. I didn't see the account I was responding to. Anyway...I hope some frustrated guitarist somewhere reads my rant and gets inspired!

[@CURTAINS_]

Funny! I’m a pianist envious of guitarists

[@vocalchords3609]

Interesting how the contrary motion began life in Gregorian plain chant - love the clarity of your video - and that all this colour has its roots - literally in those exploring sound 500 years ago or more! This is counter point writ large - with joyous energy! Thanks for a great video.

[@rogerball6265]

Now apply this exact example to guitar. Very interesting. 4 note close voicing quite challenging on an instrument that is tuned in fourths :)

[@DeyquanBowens]

I love the Drop 3 sound. I personally don’t hear many people talking about that voicing concept!

[@DorianMarli777]

I was actually thing the same thing deyquan

[@3SweppeR4]

It's because you can't invert drop 3 the same way you can invert drop 2

[@WillsJazzLoft]

I'm so glad that your video came up in my feed. You want to know something? I've always wondered how the masters achieved those lush full sounds. To be sure I'd watched videos before on drop voicings. I think the difference here is that you actually took a standard and broke it down. This has had a profound impact on me. The probability is very high that the next time I practice that I will be watching this video while I practice. I can hear just about everything that you're doing. And since I can hear it, I know that I can replicate it. My point is that when I've played chords yeah sure I know the intricacies of the harmony but I've not really comprehended the impact of chordal quality. As a consequence when I played a chord progression it's been technically accurate but stylistically and intuitively flat and thin. I think that your demonstration seals the deal for me. And the next time that I practice I'll want to devote some time to these techniques. Thank you very much.

[@JeromeFe]

What an amazing delicious lesson. I really loved the counter melody that was created just by playing the mixture of closed, drop2 and drop3. Wow! Thank you so much 😊

[@Overxpossed]

I know these chords very well, but's pretty interesting how a pianist use them, specially when your descriptions are so accurate. I can clearly get the idea and had a wider approach to them. Thank you for the tutorial!

[@Jynx215]

Your videos are great. I'm a pianist who knows next to nothing about jazz, this was informative and really interesting.

[@adamp.1732]

Wow, I've been playing all my life and just graduated uni with a degree in jazz piano. Though i never really liked my solo style because im either playing rootless voicings (sounds empty) or im hitting roots and then chords with my left hand, which just ends up always being a repetitive stride-piano sound. I also never really understood the value of drop 2 voicings. I just though it was an alternative way to make chords sound more "open". But the texture and sophistication you showed that can come from drop 2/3 voicings really gave me a lightbulb moment. Time to head to the shed...

[@larrypatterson2340]

think expression and try different inversions to get sign you want,but most of all expression that's what separates you from the rest.

[@CathieBest]

The PDF is missing a natural sign for the Bmin6/dim chords in all of the voicing types. Sounds WAY better and would be consistent with what you played on the keys. Thanks for the great lesson.

[@amypellegrini1732]

Amazing. I it's been a long tine since I don't learn something new. You delivered years of knowledge in a few minutes.

[@ClaudiaGomezMusic]

You are a great teacher and a very sensitive musician. Thank you🙏

[@Georgia-Vic]

Bro that was an Awesome video!... I'm a djembe' player and I could relate to it all. We as musicians must learn to use these rudiments and understand the tried and true basics which will lay the ground work for us to create our own, unique melodies that are hopefully pleasing and recognizable to crowds. As I say "I don't play, this is just practice for the next time and that will also be practice for the time ad infinitum!"

[@jkennan]

Been playing guitars for 46 years but have about a cumulative two months of piano playing experience. This video is so informative and exciting I can’t wait to have a go!

[@CarolEderGuitarist]

Adam, you are a St. Louis treasure I’m so glad I get to come out and hear you every now and then. I just discovered this video and although I am a guitarist I can put these concepts to work.

[@leepat]

yes, excellent(ly patient) explanation! voice leading is where all the fun is at!! imagine going through this with a bunch of singing buddies!!!

[@driggerfireon5760]

The best lesson on chords I’ve seen

[@matthewprestifilippo7673]

This was better than all the books and lessons I had on this topic. Thanks

[@MrSkalgar]

Adam is such a good teacher

[@jonnyroxx7172]

Now that was really helpful to me. I’m primarily a guitarist, but as a solo artist (or accompanist in a duo) I’m always looking for ways to make my arrangements more pianistic. Thank you!

[@jeffsmith7396]

The Vince Guaraldi version of Green Dolphin Street is worth a listen, thanks for the lesson!

[@1flat1sharp47]

Incredible playing and explanation (while playing!)!

[@dougshankle7946]

You are without a doubt one one of the best teachers Ive ever seen on YT and I am a guitar player.

[@jojobeanz2981]

Guitar player here too 🥰

[@jimkangas4176]

@@jojobeanz2981 me too

[@jarbasgoulartdecastro9104]

Ok,let´s do it in Eb.On guitar,I do in C . All the best,Adam!!!! Thanks a lot! I love you all!!!

[@guitargod6997]

Great playing, content, and presentation! Thanks so much!

[@diannesutton7399]

This whole drop 2 thing has always been as clear as mud. NOW I understand. It sounds simple when you explain it.

[@itz2komplikayted207]

0:11 reminds me of the end theme from "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood" - Lovely, calming, reflective! ❤❤❤

[@blehoo1]

Mate - your explanation is brilliant. I'd love to have all those choices at my fingertips and then be intuitive enough to be able to use them on the hoof. Wonderful.

[@thomasmartinscott]

Subscribed! Great Teaching Method! As Arnie said, I'll be beck! I don't read music. I've tried numerous times, but as soon as I'd hear where it's going, I'd leave the sheet behind, and it just never worked for me. But I understand what you're saying, and how to do it. Been playing since 1958, and like you said, there is ALWAYS something to explore and learn. Making Music is definitely a gift from God! Thank You.

[@ricardofranciszayas]

You are such an amazing teacher.

[@markhenderson4001]

music professors- the most beautiful people in the world. angels, no wings necessary.

[@rumpelRAINS]

Another great video. I love these Barry Harris inspired techniques!

[@thedukewestern]

This is the video I have wanted to see for 30 years

[@richard9480]

This chap is terrific. Thanks from England.

[@romera-audiomentoria6390]

Thanks Adam...Again and again...Thanks.!!Come to Brazil, and give us some master classes, please!

[@ric8248]

Welcome me to your channel because this video made me subscribe instantly. I particularly liked how Drop2 and Drop3 automatically create bass lines for the piece. This is a very powerful tool you taught us.

[@LivingGuy484]

0:22 Gosh, that background music is so good

[@emilianopetronilli]

now THAT'S some well structured teaching! Thanks

[@rdettwyler]

Fan-damn-tastic! Thank you so much. NB: drop three -- last note in measure two left hand, one time through, you play Ab (notation repeats F#). I like the Ab :-)

[@BlikeNave]

5:28 so simple to say "6th, diminished, 6th, diminished...." but it took me a LOT of studying to finally understand the BHarris idea. Very elegant and simple, once it locks in. As simple as '6th, diminished..."

[@jairusdixon1758]

Honestly, I didn’t know that I already knew the scale because I learned it as “Whole-half diminished scale”. Way easier formula.

[@musical_lolu4811]

@@jairusdixon1758 it actually corresponds to a major (or minor) bebop scale, not to either of the diminished scales.

[@jairusdixon1758]

I believe ya, that’s just how I received the information, lol.

[@alvarorojas225]

your pedagogy is amzing, thank so much!

[@Orlando-wn4uc]

Easily one of the best channels on KZbin.

[@lukeweston1234]

Super helpful. I'd love to see a video of some altered vocabulary with the 6th diminished in different voicing systems.

[@luisfloresgonzalez2337]

In the closed voicing notation it's a natural missing for that D in the 3rd quarter of the Bb7

[@ph_musiclab]

I paused the video to read it and it sounded really off with that Db. Hopefully they pin this.

[@pnoman316]

Wow I love your work! This has been so helpful to me. I've been doing intense voicing for years but this technique gives a structure that is so beautiful!

[@novaxFLY]

Polish composer Kaper was creative and made lots of nice pieces for Polish films.

[@StephenAntKneeBk5]

Another really great segment. I was wondering of you've considered having a Jazz guitarist to cover voicings like these but for guitar? I think it would bring in lots of viewers.

[@piggyfly00]

Things I learned from Barry Harris

[@justust4872]

There is a man named Robbie form the Uk who dropped a great Barry dim 6 guitar video and it’s over an hour

[@StephenAntKneeBk5]

@@justust4872 Yes, he's great. Perhaps he could get together with Open Studios for a project.

[@noggie42]

Seems like that would be a big shift for the channel

[@snakey8095]

We have enough guitar channels already. Most guitar players are musically illiterate pentatonic boxers anyway, why not keep the good content to those who are willing to study music and transfer the knowledge to their own instruments. Disclaimer: I am a guitarist

[@381delirius]

I love the sound of the major 3rd sounding harmonic of bass

[@lucianphipps5430]

Thanks.. really useful stuff! Haven't yet tried the drop 3, only drop 2 & mixing them all up very interesting. Have to try this out!

[@WillsJazzLoft]

I've been reharmonizing, What A Friend ( We Have In Jesus ) with some degree of success. The drop voicings just might be the key to totally pulling it off. I'll be sure to download the pdf. Thanks again

[@eddiejazzman100]

Thank you so very much. You break it down to such simplicity. This means so much to me and so many others im sure. Bless you brother

[@EP-ki2zu]

Thanks - watching this makes me feel so happy 🎶🥰🎶

[@beatsbykabuki]

Thank you Adam! Just downloaded the PDF to study the examples in detail

[@loungepiano]

Nice episode! And fantastic robot motivational speech in the end. It's all fine 😉👍

[@emilschneider9974]

Stunning! I really enjoyed your chord comentry.

[@JerzyRugby]

Wow, thank you very much! Now I begin to understand George Shearing :)

[@joshuap312]

If you play inversions you will notice that just roots in the bass can sound plain, although some notes in bass don’t sound good either. Many things sounds good with a root and 5th or with octaves in the bass. It almost becomes second nature to atleast play the octaves or try some other notes in the bass. Learning songs and playing around you will notice counter Melodies that as musician you hear in your head and notice how they play out on the keyboard going opposite directions, stuff you’ve heard but you realize now what you were thinking why the melodies can overlap going different directions on keys and that what’s what was you were hearing in your head. That’s why inversions are so boring sometimes but good to play through. But you broke it down quite well. I already knew this information but you explained it well and not unnecessarily verbose or obtuse. Surprised how many people hadn’t heard of this in the comments.

[@demonblade3018]

The real question is, who taught him cause he's good.

[@DavitMinasyan-rn3fv]

thank you for the lesson !!

[@sk8luv33films]

great video breakdown 🔥🔥🔥

[@TheBlissMagnets]

Best jazz piano tutorials on KZbin

[@gregcurtis3441]

Brutal drop edits

[@michael.lentsman]

Great, just great! Thanks, man!

[@maestro2033]

Love Open Studio ❤Great Job

[@TheoryCrafterGaming]

I've been looking for a more advanced music advice page that's still useful. Subbed. thank you

[@tylerhellard4478]

You are awesome at this

[@slaneyaudio1948]

Can't help it. You now have me locked into the George Shearing mode of block chords. HELP I'm drowning in syrup !!!

[@joshuasmith1461]

This was so interesting. It made me feel like I wanted to just fall asleep. Thank u so much for making this video!

[@chrislee633]

As a beginner to this stage of playing I’m regularly having to precariously rewind to understand your comments.Your speech is fast ,not a criticism but fact, and a lot is assumed.I get it eventually.A minus 10 or plus 10 seconds button would be useful.Is it something I can do myself or does it happen from your end? otherwise, I’m loving this lesson. Thanks

[@jfmax2000]

Man.. This is Priceless.. Your a Bad Dude Bruh No Doubt.. And Thanx a Million for This Upload ☺☺😎👊💯

[@Dizzyfingers2]

Just discovered you tonight. Why do you only have 161K subscribers? You should have 1.61M

[@ChipTheMusicMan]

Not a jazz pianist...NEEDS PDF NOW! 🤩🤩🤩

[@nezkeys79]

I play so many sugar chords my piano has rotten teeth and overweight

[@nithinthomaskannanmannil5678]

😂

[@jpg6296]

Mf needa play some bitter chords

[@metalpuppet5798]

Me reading this: hmm. Matthias Krantz should get on this case (teeth piano) 😂. If you dont know him look him up. He does all kinds of things to unsuspecting pianos xD

[@erichkusterer6339]

You have a lucky piano😂

[@shsu7426]

Hahaha

[@davidblanc458]

dang that was a useful video and I been playing 10 years (mainly ragtime, then early jazz) and I was like Erroll Garner omg that's impossible. Now I get it.

[@joshsblee]

I'm a guitarist but I feel that videos like this make me a better musician.

[@benjamintesta927]

Considering the only two music classes I have taken were music theory and a history of jazz, this video is right up my alley 😁

[@musespresso]

well done beautiful. if i have to choose just one, it's the drop 2 🙃

[@augustusbrule4061]

Bill Even's solo at 6:40, - On Green Dolphin St - Kind of Blue by Miles Davis

[@MencaroniAndrea]

Adam it’s a pleasure to play with you.

[@bradsmith7311]

Thank you that was brilliant.what a cool nerd.just beatiful.thank you

[@dylanhostetter9591]

The pedagogy is on point, thanks for this! One note from a dictation geek, we need D naturals in the second half of the second bar, just saying.

[@anthonypocetti]

I think this might be the most concise and game changing of your videos so far. Keep it up!

[@natetirey]

this was extremely insightful thank you sir 🔥🔥

[@alexluthiger731]

Hearing Steely Dan is the proof for having a good hearing and taste in the field of harmonical music. As a layman in the science of music I am glad to be proven right by studied musicians who are able to teach music in simple and understandable words. A present from heaven for free. 🌌

[@francisrichard5282]

Thank you again Adam! This is honey sugar babe! So inspiring!

[@TorahofAwakening]

Wonderful thank you!!

[@solitone]

now I understand how Bill Evans managed to get that sound!

[@brainbrain542]

Very cool. Been working on drop 2 - it’s intense stuff. MISTAKE in your DROP 3 chart on 2nd half of the 2nd bar (Bb7) - the Db is supposed to D natural. But excellent video. High level stuff. Not for beginners.

[@RandomCommentHandle]

You made that easy to understand. Cheers, subscribed.