Slash Chords on Piano - What Are They and How Do We Play Them?

[@DesertRat332]

Excellent explanation. I like how you go through the different kinds of slash cords. I'm saving this for future reference. Thank-you.

[@GailiSchoen-r3c]

I’m so glad you’re finding it helpful!! Thanks for your kind comment - Gaili 😊

[@sharglickman8214]

Figured out the C/E chord. While a bit daunting, Slow practice Will help. I am still practicing the regular chord anyway. Thanks for explaining.

[@UpperHandsPiano]

Yes, very true. You would need a good understanding of the triads in root position before inverting them (to slash chords), but you're so right, slow practice is the way to learn!! Thanks for your comment Shar 💙

[@karenconnell3290]

Priceless information! I thought I understood about slash chords but it turns out, I didn't! Thank you so much.

[@GailiSchoen-r3c]

You’re so welcome! Yes the notation is so confusing. I’m glad I could clarify it for you!

[@teedtad2534]

Naming each keynote or chords by LETTERS 🔤🔠🔤🔠 is very helpful in every lesson,!! Counting is important too!!

[@UpperHandsPiano]

Agreed! Thanks for your comment

[@Robertdowneyjrs273]

Very beautifully explained. Excellent.

[@GailiSchoen-r3c]

Thanks so much!!

[@prematureoptimism7125]

Very informative. I've seen a lot of this type of "slash chord" notation in fake books and always wondered about the theory behind it. Thx 🙏🏽

[@UpperHandsPiano]

Yes it's everywhere. I'm so glad I provided some clarity for you!

[@sarojinidavid5500]

Very infomative.Thank you.

[@GailiSchoen-r3c]

I’m so glad you found it helpful!! 😊

[@2011watchman]

Very instructive and helpful. Thank you! You explained slash chords clearly & thoroughly for a relatively new(but old) piano self-learner.

[@UpperHandsPiano]

Thanks so much! I'm so glad you found this helpful!

[@artisans8521]

A very thorough explanation of something that shouldn't need explanation. Especially first chord in the second row. My software denotes them either as slash cords or 7th chords, depending on the software I use. Same chord different notation = gatekeeping. The more I learn about music theory, the less I understand it.

[@GailiSchoen-r3c]

Haha well that’s why I strive to explain as clearly as possible

[@christoperbazen5912]

Great lesson. Perhaps you can create a class explaining 7ths vs 9ths

[@UpperHandsPiano]

Yes I will try to do that next!

[@UpperHandsPiano]

Done! Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o37ImGpvnKl8opY

[@lklpalka]

@@UpperHandsPiano How great! thanks so much

[@greenbriar49]

Thank you. Demo clarifies it more

[@UpperHandsPiano]

I'm so glad! That's what I'm aiming for

[@miquevandijk7463]

I did know about slash chords...but the second part of your video is making voicing more clear ...

[@UpperHandsPiano]

I'm so glad! Yeah slash chords, also known as inversions are very common, so important to understand.

[@birky4138]

Thank You. I have been playing slash chords for a few years, however sometimes I see a more complex chord and go into panic mode , it is then that I take it very slow

[@UpperHandsPiano]

Yes, if the letter to the right of the slash is not in the chord, it gets very confusing. You just have to think of it as an added note below the triad.

[@evelynwehbe]

Great ! Thnxxx👍👍👍

[@UpperHandsPiano]

You're so welcome!

[@warwicks2780]

Great video, but the suggestions at the end - get that left hand doing more than just playing octaves! It’s gotta pay rent too :)

[@basfludi]

Thanks

[@GailiSchoen-r3c]

You’re so welcome!

[@karenconnell3290]

Does this mean that "slash chord" means to use a particular inversion of the chord?

[@GailiSchoen-r3c]

Usually but not always. If the note at the bottom is in the chord then yes. But as I showed in the 2nd row, sometimes the note to the right of the slash is not in the chord. In that case, you just add it to the bottom of the chord.

[@SusanRichardsDay]

I always thought the slash chord was just to be played in the bass . Interesting .

[@GailiSchoen-r3c]

You can just play the bottom note - which is to the right of the slash - in the left hand. However if you are playing a melody in the right hand, the left hand has to play the whole chord. If you’re just playing accompaniment the chord can be spread to two hands.

[@dd7579]

I thought that slash chords had a different meaning. The letter to the left signifies the chord regardless of the inversion and the right letter signifies the bass note.

[@UpperHandsPiano]

Yes that is the meaning - the letter to the left of the slash does signify the chord, and the letter to the right of the slash is the bottom note of the chord.

[@sharglickman8214]

Figurer out the c/E chord and leasing it at that for now. A bit daunting but practice and slog tales it. Interessant Way though. Thanks.

[@prematureoptimism7125]

Well now I'm confused because someone else with a KZbin channel explained the definition of slash chords differently. He said the note to the right is what u play with ur left hand as a bass note. Somebody is right and somebody is left. . . I mean wrong 🤔

[@GailiSchoen-r3c]

If you’re playing just an accompaniment you can play the chord in your right hand and the bass notes in your left. But if you’re playing a melody in your right hand, you play the whole chord in your left hand making sure that the note to the right of the slash is at the bottom of the chord.

[@prematureoptimism7125]

@GailiSchoen-r3c Oh, I see. 😁🙏🏽

[@flojomax7933]

Why are you using your left hand?

[@GailiSchoen-r3c]

Generally beginners play melodies in the right hand and chords in the left hand. More advanced pianists spread the chords between the two hands.

[@Keeferz4Keeperz]

Typically these type of chords are used in a lot of contemporary styles...in that case youre playing the chord in right hand (choose any inversion youd like)..but put the note to right of slash line in your left hand bass...its a bit more confusing when video presents chord in left hand ..which isnt how contemporary styles are played

[@UpperHandsPiano]

For piano beginner/early intermediate piano players who want to play solo pieces using slash chords, the full chord is played by the left, and the melody is playing in the right. More advance players might split the chor between the two hands beneath the melody.

[@Gazman67]

Thought it meant the guns and roses guy

[@GailiSchoen-r3c]

😂😂😂

[@schragdenker5425]

I think it's confusing for beginners. Better stick to the quint circle and harmony nomenclature...

[@UpperHandsPiano]

Yes I agree, this would be very confusing for beginners. But I think once you know all your triads - major, minor, augmented and diminished - you might want to learn 7th chords, so that you can play songs in the Easy Fake Book series. You can find the Easy Fake Books here: www.upperhandspiano.com/resources

[@fabiancosster2992]

Your videos are too short

[@UpperHandsPiano]

Haha I try to make them brief but this one is almost 14 minutes, which seems long to me! There will be a PART 2 to this one btw