Elegant Stride Piano Course Overview
Welcome to this course introduction lesson where we explore the beautiful jazz standard “Body and Soul”. In this tutorial, we focus on the A section of the tune, breaking down basic jazz piano 7th chords before advancing into chord extensions, chord alterations, and stride left hand techniques .
Whether you’re new to jazz or looking to refine your technique, this lesson provides valuable insights into interpreting and arranging jazz standards.
7th Chords & Spread Voicings
We begin by isolating the 7th chords in the left hand; an essential foundation for understanding lead sheet harmony. By understanding how to voice these chords and spread the notes between both hands, you’ll be able to create fuller, richer sounds in your jazz piano arrangements. We start with simple root position chords (root, 3rd, 5th, and 7th), but in jazz, we rarely use this form exclusively.
Rather than keeping all chord tones in one hand, we distribute them between both hands. This approach not only helps support the melody but also creates a more balanced sound.
Stride Left Hand Technique
One of the standout techniques in this lesson is the introduction of the stride left hand. Stride piano involves alternating between a bass note and a chord, creating a rhythmic drive that propels the music forward. This style is especially effective in slower ballads like “Body and Soul,” where the left hand can move between bass notes and full chords, while the right hand plays the melody or fills.
Chord Substitutions and Reharmonization
Towards the end of the A section, we delve into reharmonization techniques. This includes using tritone substitutions to add harmonic variety. For instance, substituting a dominant chord a tritone away from the original adds an unexpected but harmonically pleasing twist.
Lesson Downloads
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Elegant Stride Course Notation Sample File Type: pdf
Related Lessons
In our final lesson on ‘Body and Soul’ we play through the entire tune with insights on voicings, modulations, and performance techniques.
In this lesson, we shift our focus to the B section – also referred to as ‘the bridge – which introduces two significant key modulations.
In this lesson we create a beginner arrangement of the jazz piano classic “Body & Soul” using just roots, 3rds, and 7ths in our voicings.
Practice Tips
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Start Simple: Begin with root position 7th chords to familiarize yourself with the structure of the song before adding complexity.
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Visualize Voice Leading: Focus on how the 7ths resolve to the 3rds in 2-5-1 progressions to ensure smooth transitions.
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Experiment with Extensions: Once you’re comfortable with basic voicings, add chord extensions and chord alteration for more color and depth.
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Stride Piano: Alternating between bass notes and chords with your left hand to create a stride technique into your playing.
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Incorporate Reharmonizations: Use tritone substitutions to create new harmonic possibilities within the structure of the tune.
