The Kenny Barron Voicing

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In this episode of Chord of the Month, I show you how to play the minor Kenny Barron voicing. It's a big, rich, two-handed voicing which can be substituted for any standard minor chord.
It was popularized by Kenny Barron, hence the name. It works very well when used for comping, although it is versatile enough to sound great in any situation.
If you have any questions, just leave a comment below!
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[@Piano_Pig]

I hope you enjoy it! There's also a major variation of the Kenny Barron voicing, let me know if you want to see a video on that one too 😀

[@stellabellezaa]

Ohh sureeee. I would loveee to see it! 💕

[@trisolaris9794]

It's 1 5 9 3 maj7 #11

[@scari_3656]

I know why we love this 'Kenny baring- voicing' its because of fitfths. Our ears ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS love fifths, you might not hear it but your brain calculates it almost instantaneously, and when you stack a fifth on a fifth and so forth, you'll get a very rich and colourful sounding chord! like my favourite; Fm11 (F C G Ab Eb Bb, in that order)

[@Piano_Pig]

Yeah stacks of 4th and 5ths are always pleasing to the ear :)

[@abuventertainment2856]

It's interesting you say that, because my ear has always gravitated towards this sound of stacked fifths. On guitar I have always loved the E minor 11 voicing played with all 6 strings (E B F# G D A in ascending order) which happens to be this exact Kenny Baron voicing.

[@scari_3656]

@@abuventertainment2856 I'm a guitar player as well! And I know EXACTLY what chord you're talking about!

[@scari_3656]

@@abuventertainment2856 And second; That Em11 chord try to follow it up with an Amaj9(A E B C# F#)(Starting from 5th string, 0 fret). It is a beautiful Kenny baren Voicing(ish)

[@nezkeys79]

Love that sound yeah

[@BrendaBoykin-qz5dj]

Thank you,Simon⭐🌹⭐

[@brucewilson1269]

Man! I stumbled across your videos last month, but now, I am looking forward to them. Small but powerful lessons. Thank you.

[@Piano_Pig]

Thanks! Glad to hear you've been enjoying the videos!

[@lardefor]

When I play piano after your lessons, i feel like i really can play this instrument)) but truly not) but that's a great feeling)

[@TaniqueReviews]

Love you Teaching !

[@petersmichaeld59]

Pp.....beautiful sound.....thanks for sharing...very generous

[@SadieAddler]

Awesome.. Please more chords and runs in a video 🙏🙂

[@JHENDRIXROCS]

Nice demonstration! Excellent!

[@Piano_Pig]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it 😀

[@TheCesar75]

Thank you for your videos it’s really helpful!!

[@Piano_Pig]

No problem! Glad you found them useful 😀

[@op-1g.s]

That’s a good thumbs up dude 👍🏽

[@chriswilkes236]

Beautiful chords. Thanks so much.

[@Piano_Pig]

No worries, it's my pleasure!

[@theoryman2]

Thanks, you explanation was spot on. I am interested in the variation of this chord that you spoke of.

[@Piano_Pig]

If you can reach the full voicing, go for that one! If you're hands can't quite reach, then use the variation 😀

[@theoryman2]

Thanks

[@ddl508]

nice 🎉

[@jackgalloway8314]

Nice.

[@adamp.1732]

Also works for a Maj9#11 voicing! (Ex: in Cmaj, the cord would be: C G D E B F#)

[@stellabellezaa]

OMG!

[@FlorissMusic]

Hey Simon, I have a question/request. For my school exams I have to play a blues lick in a 12 bar blues scheme. Can you make a video showing a fun lick in this scheme: Part A - C minor blues scale Part A - C minor blues scale Part B - G minor blues scale Btw I love your channel!

[@Digiphex]

It reminds me of "Share the Joy" from the movie Lost Horizon.

[@crusaderrjm]

I believe Kenny taught music at Rutgers, Livingston campus, Piscataway, NJ

[@sergLEDwalls]

That was really nice!!! Thank you 🙏

[@Piano_Pig]

No worries! Glad you enjoyed it 😀

[@justinlaboy6837]

in the right hand i always play the b3, 5, b7, 9, and the 11 (1, 5, 9 in left hand too). sounds fuller

[@alanboro]

I see it as a stack of 5ths followed by another stack of fifths on semitone later

[@julianamejia9653]

Hi. Can you give me an example of a song where kenny uses this voicing please?

[@ClintAndrie]

I like to think of it as doing a Dominant 7th on the left hand (w/o the 3rd) + the major chord of the flattened 7th +4 That's how my brain thinks of it 😅

[@EdoardoElisei]

How can I master these voicings? Just practice them in 251 in all keys?

[@sammyqhojhoe6326]

Hello Simon please play a Gospel song with these chords

[@kermot6605]

Hey Simon, are you playing on a stage 2 or 3? I'm currently playing on a 5D but i'm thinking of switching to a stage model. Would you reccomend a stage 2 over a 5D?

[@Piano_Pig]

I'm using the Stage 2 HA88. It completely depends on what you're going to be using it for. The Electro D's are great as a second tier keyboard, or if you're going to be playing lots of Hammond organ or something. They have semi-weighted keys so they are not ideal if you're going to be playing lots of piano/rhodes. All in all, I would recommend the Stage 2 over a 5D 😀

[@solomony4339]

Hi bro...

[@nezkeys79]

If you have a bass player just take your root out and then you can get that sweet 11th at the top ;)

[@musicalhamsa5892]

😯 wow. Cool face👍🏻

[@gabrielgurrola7491]

It's basically minor chord on the left and a whole step major chord on right hand ex: Dm left hand and C major right hand. Just learn inversions

[@ariokubo6823]

nausicaa

[@georgechadwick8642]

Name an anime soundtrack which doesn't have this voicing in somewhere lmao

[@racingindie2168]

Dragon Ball, Naruto, One Piece... shall i continue?

[@georgechadwick8642]

@@racingindie2168 pretty certain they do have them in. I mean more than the title sequence by 'soundtrack'. The Kenny Barron voicing is often used when the narrator gives a monologue over a montage

[@racingindie2168]

@@georgechadwick8642 Yeah i was kidding bro, its over used in recent Final Fantasy games as well.

[@georgechadwick8642]

@@racingindie2168 lol my bad dude hope you're good :)

[@Enzo0383]

Check out Joe Hisaishi. He’s a Japanese pianist who composes a lot of amine soundtracks. His stuff sounds the same because basically they are sus2 chords played with the root above. Creates a very ambiguous/suspended sound. God Bless.

[@joxminer7948]

First 😃

[@ekekelanapoleon2550]

Jesus Christ loves you!!!

[@bernhardwagner2474]

Second :-)

[@Apoz]

Deep, rich but empty.