I posted this in the organ room but I didn't want to slight the piano players you can use this also
Ok,
this is for those of you that want to learn some alternate chords to play in the traditional congregational songs.
Or maby even in other music selections.
these are alternate chords based on the actual chord you would be playing at any given point.
you only need to learn one voicing this is important don't change the voicing to here the melody
on the top note the melody note will be in the chords or very close by when using this method
you need to establish the melody first and make sure it's solid because these chords will add an abstract
harmony to the melody with a jazz type of feel by adding the dominant 7th and a 6th to the chord.
Here we go let's start with C, in the key of C the three main chord are C F and G.
all these chords played in the root position are spelled
C,E,G
F,A,C
G,B,D
They are made up of the 1st the 3rd and the 5th of the major scale.
they are played with the root note in the left hand.
Now to substitute for each of those chords they will be played in this voicing
LH / RH
C/ CEG will become
C G / Bb E A
The left hand will play the 1st and the 5th of the scale for that chord
The right hand will play the dominant 7th the third and the sixth of the scale for that chord.
NOW THIS FORMULA DOES NOT CHANGE.
ALL THE CHORDS ARE FORMED LIKE THIS FOR THE MAJOR CHORDS!!!!
F/FAC will become
F C/ Eb A D
G/ GBD will become
G D/ F B E
Now try playing the chords in that position to get use to the sound of it holding each chord for (4) beats/counts
you see it has a very jazzy / blues type of sound.
Now all you have to do is move up or down in half step intervals from C to C until you get use to the fingering for each
that will be 12 chords played in the exact same voicing.
Next we need a substitute for *m7 chords the voicing will be exactly the same for the right hand
The left hand will move down 6 simitones from where it is to form a new chord if you're playing a C chord your move of 6
simi tones will put you at Gb and Db the right hand still would play Bb E A this would substitute for a Gb7 or a Gbm7 chord
the same theory is true for moving the right hand UP 6 simitones and leaveing the left hand the same
with C G in the left hand move the Bb E A up to E Bb Eb this will sub for the Cm7 chord.
this will be used to pass from the C sub to the F sub
So far we have 24 new chords Lets add some more
Just to add some flavor and pick up those missing melody notes we can always slide
from the chord one half step below or above the chord
we are on as an accent.
now we've just added two more chords to the same notes in the left hand. so now we have a total of 48 chords
now remember there is no changeing of inversions on each chord the voicings stay the same. keep it simple
I now you'll be listening for the melody take a moment and you'll see it's there You can only do this if you have
a strong melody leader.
here's a sample of what you can do with these chord substitutions on a simple song like I'm so glad Jesus lifted me
listen to the audio file
first you'll hear drums, organ, bass and piano then it goes to just drums and organ with the bass and piano
faded in so you can hear what the chords sound like on the organ while you sing the melody.
the bass is just a standard bass line for congregational songs while the piano adds the melody for the vocals to follow.
http://www.greaterwhiterock.org/Music/chrdsubs.mp3format= basic chord name, lyric, (sub spelling)
Ab I'm so glad (sub)Ab Eb/ Gb C F
Eb Jesus lifted me (sub)Eb Bb/ Db G C
Eb I'm so glad (sub)Eb Bb/ Db G C
Ab Jesus lifted me (sub)Ab Eb/ Gb C F
Ab I'm so glad (sub)Ab Eb/ Gb C F
Gb *passing chord* Gb Db/ E Bb Eb
F7 Jesus lifted me (sub) F C/ A Eb Ab
Bbm7 glory hallelujha (sub) Bb F/ D Ab Db
Eb Jesus (sub) Eb Bb/ Db G C
Ebm7 lifted (sub) Eb Bb/ G Db Gb
Ab me!!! (sub)Ab Eb/ Gb C F
That's it for now real simple but it can make your playing sound more advanced
add more flavor and wow the other musicians at your church (I know that's what you really want to do)
***CAUTION IF YOU PLAY FOR A VERY TRADITIONAL CHURCH DON'T TRY THIS
THE RESULTS CAN BE EXTREMLY DANGEROUS AND MAY CAUSE A SPONTAINEOUS PRAISE!!***
let me know if this helps
be blessed
