The Easy Way to Play Melodies With Chords

www.pianosauce.com - Online Piano Lessons - Lesson Slots Available!
0:00 Intro
0:45 Why This Method
3:07 Method Walkthrough
6:42 Drill Walkthrough
9:01 Drill Practice Strategy
My very easy method makes voicing melodies with chords relatively simple. Perfect for beginners and more experienced jazz pianists who are still getting into this skill.
Resources:
Practice Chord Chart
drive.google.c...

[@IBoughtItMyself]

This is revolutionary. I'm weirdly bad at improv and have needed this for... decades, I'm embarrassed to say.

[@juliejackson7061]

This is exactly the scaffolding I needed to learn this. As a new student to jazz, it’s been a mind boggling slog figuring out voicing. Switching the 3 and 7 each time in practice helps when it comes to applying the theory to the actual music. Brilliant and thank you. Liked and subscribed.

[@annea.3404]

I like how your teaching is systematic and accessible to beginners. Thank you.

[@piano-sauce]

Thanks Anne, that's exactly what I'm shooting for :)

[@raymondjoseph2139]

This is very helpful. You are absolutely correct. Beginners get pulled in some many different directions regarding chords voicing. I think learning this simple method makes the most sense. I will get busy. And keep you posted.

[@user-ve1zf6fh4d]

Had to keep replaying this video to 'get it'. Slowly , slowly it's starting to sink in. Good system

[@craigdouglas9979]

Yes, this is profound. It is hard to image that something so simple can be so effective and offer such great results; but it does. It takes a great mind to innovate something with simplicity. Although I am very much a pedestrian piano player I am an experienced musician. I added a little something to it which made sense for me and that is after the I chord in every key I play the V7 chord of the II chord in the next key to connect the whole cycle of fifths and therefore create continuity as a larger exercise. (D-7 G7 Cmaj7 D7 G-7 C7 Fmaj7 G7 etc.)

[@piano-sauce]

Glad you liked it! Nice idea with the exercise!

[@jasonbourne488]

Your videos and teaching technique are brilliant. Make more please!!!!

[@acwatercolors]

This was my main concern when starting playing jazz chords, how to voice it....! I did more or less your technic by intuition, which is by far the easiest way to have a "full" sound. Thanks for sharing your knowledge !

[@garreth4137]

Haven't taken this new knowledge to my piano yet but I already feel like this is exactly the answer to what I was looking for last couple weeks. I thought I just had to cram in all the different voicings and inversions in order to get comfortable with accompanying. But here you are, blessing us newbies with easier methods to get our fingers jamming :)

[@deltacomatso173]

This is a great exercise. I will work on this. Ive been playing the 2-5-1 in right or left hand clockwise around the circle of fifths, this thing is different and counterclockwise, it will work, but slow to start with. Great channel, love your piano methods !

[@piano-sauce]

Thanks man really glad it was useful to you!

[@gregorylynskey5683]

Running to my piano to learn this!

[@desmckenzie9341]

This looks like a game changer for me Sam. I have been struggling to learn jazz for a long time. This looks like a great foundation to build from. Happy trails mate !

[@piano-sauce]

Ah that's awesome, glad to hear it :) Been a game changer for my teaching too!

[@marceau8258]

Thank god for this video. In the vast ocean of free online content regarding piano lesson, this is the first one I encounter which really takes the time to explain things and match perfectly what I need to take it to the next level by giving me autonomy. I can set sail now thanks to you ! Let's go !!!!

[@kcollins3451]

This is the best video I have seen on this topic.

[@piano-sauce]

Thanks man!

[@davesax11]

Yes. Excellent. Always overwhelming so we spin our wheels. Even if we start here, once the tune and basic structure is "in our hands," our instincts will let us explore modifications over time as our feeling, ears, experience, knowledge etc. grow. Thank you.

[@piano-sauce]

Yup that's the idea, glad you liked it!

[@mjbrehman]

You're an amazing piano teacher. I wonder why you're not posting videos?

[@piano-sauce]

Got one in the works right now! I've been busy with this stuff over the last 5 months and new stuff is coming soon :)

[@joesauvage1165]

Sam, your channel is superb! So deeply appreciate your, approach, teaching style, and great content. Best wishes and deepest thanks

[@piano-sauce]

Thanks Joe!

[@spongechameleon6940]

Been playing classical for two years and have wanted to get into jazz but never knew where to start. This lead sheet thing with a go-to left hand harmony shape is knockout. Thanks a ton man!

[@piano-sauce]

my pleasure dude glad it's helpful to you! I'm in the middle of making a paid course for people in your situation, so if you want something more structured that's coming down the line :)

[@philmoss6539]

Thanks so much,you’re a genius

[@LucBoeren]

Oh wow that feels like a great exercise!

[@magdelinechin5491]

Hi Sam, thank you. Its an eye-opener. On how to play melody with chords.

[@Debangshuification]

You're underrated

[@piano-sauce]

Thanks mate!

[@modernmusicstudio303]

This was so great! Thank you for sharing!

[@HongBXia]

Sam, I completely agree with other viewers that you are an enlightening educator. It would be very interesting if you could accept a few arrangements by the viewers and offer your feedback. Using this process, you could make your channel dynamic and interactive. Look forward to your future releases.

[@piano-sauce]

Hey Hong, that's a nice idea, maybe when I'm a bit more established I'll give that a go!

[@AH-ps9pt]

Absolutely amazing!!! You have made it so easy to play this voicing WITHOUT having to think about it. The exercise routine with the three repetitions without error will be used for all of my other exercises. Thank you so much for this!

[@piano-sauce]

Yeah I used that 3x no mistake system for a very long time, though I have since moved away from it, especially for teaching, as I find it can be a little overly harsh, so don't beat yourself up if it seems a bit brutal sometimes, it can be! The basic lesson of it though, take your time and be careful, is always a good one to keep in mind when practicing

[@AH-ps9pt]

Thanks for the advice!

[@Volidee]

This is amazing! I’ve actually been doing the 3-in-a-row method myself and it really holds me accountable.

[@teresmajor7956]

Gets extra easy with inversions as well!

[@mickcarpenter2963]

Thanks this is super helpful, now I know what to do with lead sheets!

[@peacegroove7854]

Great system! Thanks!

[@natebrown2803]

Thank you!

[@piano-sauce]

My pleasure!

[@FrancoTaddei-vh4fo]

Great! Really a beautiful video, an interesting and well-told lesson. You're a very good educator. Thanks a lot. I realize that it would be really very challenging for you but if you could do a complete piano jazz course it would be a wonderful thing for all of us. Thanks again for everything you are sharing with us. 🙏🙏🙏

[@lesliebush3095]

Wonderful lesson! Great teacher!!!

[@bobbachelor5930]

Cool ! You're using actual jazz standards (songs) to demonstrate your techniques.

[@skimanization]

Sam, I've been looking all over youtube for a lesson like this because when I check Real Book I see a lot of chord extensions that look so intimidating to me and I even end up leaving the whole thing, and now you've just opened the Pandora Box" for me. From now on I'll follow and subscribe to all your courses, well done! Thanks.

[@piano-sauce]

glad you enjoyed it man! Jazz can be very intimidating, I totally get it. I'm working on making courses right now that really break it down and make it digestible, may be the next thing I drop we'll see. If you end up getting demotivated again at some point, just keep checking in, because at some point I'll have something tailored for someone with your skills and ability that will slowly and enjoyably bring you up to a high level of competence with jazz standards.

[@pianoatthirty]

Your channel is pure gold!

[@piano-sauce]

ah thanks dude! Had a look at your channel, nice stuff man!

[@Benjaminpeee]

Best lesson ever... Thanks!

[@anandgodane8022]

Thank you so much sir ❤️🙏🙏🙏

[@julianho4774]

Genius............. thanks Sir

[@geraldjackson1782]

Is this not simply a spread voicing for a 7th chord which always fits the melody and harmony? Also the musical ear really loves this it just works! Nicely done.

[@piano-sauce]

yup that's all it is! What makes it special is that it can be pushed extremely low without sounding really bad, meaning you can use the same shape in almost every situation

[@fabiogarofalo6685]

Interestingly, 1-5-7-3 inversion is guitar voicing for the C-shaped chord and G-shaped chord with both with barré on 3-rd fret. Also D-shaped (open strings) features a 1-5-7-3 inversion Example Cmaj7 Tab Degree(Note) --X-- --5-- 3(E) --4-- 7(B) --5-- 5(G) --3-- 1(C) --X--

[@piano-sauce]

yeah it is also a nice shape, it's very stable sounding

[@skyhr]

Absolutely fantastic mate.

[@joemechwar4338]

Thank you for your time and efforts! 😀

[@bartbraverman5979]

This is a brilliant exercise, especially forr semi-advanced beginners. If you spoke just a little slower I would be way happier. Still, mastering this exercise will be a huge step forward. Thanks.

[@piano-sauce]

Such a tricky balance on YT the speaking speed thing, gotta keep the audience engaged by not being too ponderous, but also make it easy to understand, I haven't figured that one out yet haha. Glad you like the exercise, thanks for the comment :)

[@pegschwabel9039]

Really helpful!! Thank you so much.

[@mobetterx1110]

Hey! Thanks. I needed that in my practice.

[@XCPRTP]

Thank you for this. Very helpful!!!!

[@BlessedOne686]

This is dope. Have never heard or seen this b4.

[@piano-sauce]

Thanks man! My own invention, hope it's helpful

[@donghodeotay]

❤❤❤❤❤ new sub. And of course you will have many more to come. Excellent tutorial. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@JUANCHOHOUxNEHUEN]

Increíble recién lo conocí hoy miles de gracias 😊

[@Nestico87]

Amazing -- thank you!!

[@pds002]

Thank you. Excellent lesson

[@diegoalejandromendezdelcas1956]

Amazing , thanks bro

[@zitherzon2121]

A nice simple method for beginners to start including 7th notes in their playing. Thanks.

[@piano-sauce]

That's the idea, Glad you liked it :)

[@fredrickbimponghayford8401]

Spicy,just hit the subscription button

[@richarpadilla1891]

Great video ! I'll be following you ! I'm a classical trained pianist, you will help me a lot ! Great channel !

[@piano-sauce]

Awesome, you're in a great spot then, glad my stuff is helpful to you :)

[@TheJohnMak]

Brilliant Sam

[@damarisfuenteslorenzo]

Thanks! Very practical, even though you go really fast with the explanation. Knowing the notes of every chord is still hard for me. Btw, playing the melody on top is difficult with my little hands, i scarcely reach that note.

[@danielho6998]

can you share next steps after mastery of this video?

[@raymondjoseph8040]

Looking forward to trying it. Excellent video. Where can I get my Rocky action figure?😂😂

[@clairebedard4872]

Great !!! 🤗🤗🤗 Will you be making other vidr9s ? I hope...

[@piano-sauce]

Yes I am haha I know it's been a while, I'm working on making a course, there will be more stuff when it's ready :)

[@coloaten6682]

Great method, really simplifies the whole process. Once this is under my fingers is there a next step that can be added? Perhaps adding extensions and/or different voicings for dominant chords?

[@piano-sauce]

Yes 100% A good rule when learning new stuff is to only do 1 thing at a time. If you have enough knowledge to add a little complexity to this, pick one thing, and start incorporating it. I would recommend 9ths :)

[@Grat-kubwimana]

Keep them coming you got my sub❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lunairepierrot5420]

Thx Hopefully you can talk about reharmonization .

[@arthurseya9195]

Impressive content 🤌

[@alekseyalikin3012]

Thanks 😮

[@joanb7180]

Great information. How would I voice extended or an altered chord?

[@peterpenner5076]

Great tutorial. Which app do you use to visualize the artificial keyboard?

[@ebc531]

This is really a great method to play jazz standards. Is there a following video from you, you can recommend afterwards?

[@ozboomer_au]

Again, a mighty useful video.. A question/thought tho.. When you illustrate the "stack" of notes, say with the Dm7... You show "R 5 3 7". This would assume that, as it's a "minor" chord, you'd use the "minor" scale to determine the "3" (F).. rather than looking at the Major scale (which is often the "reference standard" for determining degrees).. and thus come to "F#"... and so should be notated in your stack as "b3". Which do you think is going to be "simpler" for beginners? It's not a criticism.. but more of a question about how your audience will perceive what you're saying, given a "minor scale" may be a bit foreign to some, hence the "3" in the stack (rather than "b3") might be confusing...

[@scooper72]

While there’s a minor third, it uses only diatonic (in-key) notes of the major scale, and sothe chord is written without accidentals. Accidentals are used to indicate non-diatonic notes.

[@guriguri6563]

Would you be Open to doing beginners for basics like really basic tutorials? Cuz i love your explaining and your great your just going too fast for me 😔

[@piano-sauce]

Definitely will be doing stuff like that in the future, watch this space :)

[@tilakapash]

A question , isn't it easier to play left hand the chords (with 2nd inversions when needed as you explained on other videos) and just the melody alone on the right hand ? Thaks for great videos

[@piano-sauce]

Yeah for sure that's easier, though you're not voicing the melody with the chord in that situation, you're playing it seperately.

[@TheJohnMak]

May I ask what is that unusual looking piano? Lovely sound. Thank you for your system. I’ve been struggling with the RealBook. I will work on this,

[@piano-sauce]

It's a nord grand, and I love it, glad you found the system helpful!

[@jackwilloughby239]

Thanks, Excellent Lesson! I'm interested in how to expand this idea for playing as an Accompanist, where you don't want to double the Melody. I can see that you could just leave out the melody note or bury it in a middle voice, or play a 4th voicing in the RH over the 5th in the LH. Any ideas? There's really more work for me as an Accompanist than say a Piano Trio.

[@piano-sauce]

Yeah absolutely the basic structure will work for accompaniment. Another very effective shape would be LH-R7, RH-35

[@bartbraverman5979]

Call me crazy but I think I have a simple way to sort out the chords in a 2-5-1 progression, no matter what the key. Play the #2 chord with your left hand; in the key of C that's Dm7 or D F A C. Now, move the thumb down a semitone to B and the index finger down a whole tone to G. You've just played the #5 chord, G7. Now repeat the process, using the bottom two fingers: middle finger goes down a semitone to E and the pinky (the ring finger is unused) goes down a whole tone to C. You've just played the #1 chord, CM7. AmI wrong? Could it be this simple?

[@piano-sauce]

Yes it is that simple! Though that only works if you play all the II V I's in sequence, ultimately you have to learn the rules for the chords and shapes independently of one another, so you might as well get on with that right away. Sometimes little hacks like the one you mention can be inticing cos they things seem easier, but they often prevent you from drilling information and skills that are extremely valuable. But still well done for spotting that pattern :)

[@patriciamcclure5090]

This is brilliant. Are the left hand 5 1 interchangeable? So 1 5 or 5 1. It seems so easy as they can be closer depending on finger placing. Thanks great help.

[@patriciamcclure5090]

I've watched again and you say always root on the bottom.

[@beat2009]

The note graphic is very beautiful. May I ask what software you use to write note?

[@piano-sauce]

That's just a simple animation I made, nothing too crazy, just did it in after effects, it's nothing too crazy

[@musicncmx5303]

Video starts at 3:34

[@bryanbinnema1902]

This is interesting, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea to teach beginners to jump from 5th voicing to 5th voicing without smooth voice leading. Wouldn’t they be better served learning R 3rd/R 7th shell voicings and filling out the rest of the notes with the right hand? I don’t think it’s more difficult than this system

[@piano-sauce]

I would have to sit down and have a think about your proposed system to give a proper response to this, but with that said I like this system because it's the same every time, and it doesn't get much easier than that. I actually have a new favourite way of doing this now which is even easier, and again it rests upon being the same every time. In my experience voice leading is pretty complicated for most students, and is normally a later addition for me.

[@craigdouglas9979]

I agree, other than the fact the original is about as simple as it can get so to facilitate beginners. Once you master the consecutive fifths what you suggest is just the next step. That additional complexity at the beginning may just stop some students from ever mastering the concept.

[@chuckster623]

I really appreciate your videos and am learning things I didn’t know. However, I have two questions. Why did you choose chord notes 1 and 5 for the left hand and 3 and 7 plus the melody note in the right hand? Why is this better than 1 and 7 in the left hand and 3 and 5 plus the melody note in the right hand?

[@piano-sauce]

Hey Chuck, mostly because it can be pushed really low and still works, the one you suggested gets muddier quicker because 7ths are more dissonant than 5ths. Were it not for that I may have gone for the one you suggested!

[@davesax11]

@@piano-sauce Muddier because notes are closer together. As suggested is more "open."

[@headbangerministries]

3rds, 5ths, 7ths, what on earth is this man talking about!

[@CuzCutz]

😂 it will come to you

[@komponents7977]

Programing parallel 5ths in the left hand is not only bad harmonically, but pianistically clunky. Left hand should be 1,3 & 7 or 1,7,3. That way your tritone substitutions are very simple. A 5th in the left hand should be an intentional choice not an internalized shape.

[@pc2nite]

The video title implies this method is easier than the one used in the preceding lead sheet videos. Some who spent time working through those videos might feel annoyed that you didn’t post this one first or at least explain why this one was done later.

[@piano-sauce]

Hey dude, these are two different methods for two different things, playing chords in the left hand is easier than incorporating the melody into the chords, so starting with the play any lead sheet course is still the best place to start if getting into jazz standards.

[@pc2nite]

@@piano-sauce Yes and it would have been better to say this in the lesson.

[@MyVantasticLifeVoyage]

@@pc2nitecome on guy, cut some slack on the back with your flack! You’re getting these gold nuggets for free! Just enjoy and learn. We want him to keep sharing his knowledge with us and not having the trolls drive him away.

[@AndranikClarinet]

It has come to my attention that the utilization of parallel fifths in the left hand is considered an undesirable practice in the realm of music composition. To my ears, it lacks the harmonious quality that is sought after in musical pieces.

[@piano-sauce]

Yes definitely something to be said for that! This is a beginner technique, and a great way in to voicing melodies with chords, but eventually you would outgrow this shape in most situations, but it still has it's place :) Good luck with it!

[@williamhedley2222]

You should try slowing down. You talk like a machine

[@craigdouglas9979]

no, you listen like an idiot.

[@tioliak]

You should use youtube playback feature

[@henniedevilliers7570]

The piano used in this "lesson" is grossly out of tune; and the tutor fools himself, all the arms flapping is not going to make him fly. I followed the instructions, now I also know how to destroy music.

[@lshwadchuck5643]

It's a Nord electronic piano. The sounds are all samples of recorded pianos.

[@craigdouglas9979]

In modern western music one semitone to another is separated by a ratio equal to the 12th root of 2. All pianos are out of tune. If anyone was undecided about you being an idiot your comment above removed any doubt.

[@tioliak]

You play/teach better than he does? Show us!

[@henniedevilliers7570]

Jazz is not music, it is anti-music and noise. The definition of noise is sound that one does not want to hear, such as Jazz. It means if I randomly play any combination of any notes; it will be jazz. No wonder the loo is also called the Jazz. Now, JC Bach; that is music.

[@tioliak]

@@henniedevilliers7570 lol 😂