introduces the note E to the chord. That note
using pad sounds.
that’s the best contribution you can make to a
can be played along with the usual B D# and
moment in an arrangement.
F# of the B chord. By opting for this colorful Being a poor listener. Scrutinize your favorite chord, the note E could be used on top of the worship recording. Listen closely to what Habits. They’re powerful things in our lives. It
Open Voicing you use for the B chord. Now keyboards are doing. Are pad sounds heard? can be very challenging to really notice things
you have an E sounding atop each of these Are there common tones used through chord we do without thinking. There could be great
chords. That E is called a common tone. changes? Is there a piano part? Does it play musical benefits to you AND to your team if
minimal activity or is it fairly busy? Contrast you are willing to do this. I know I’m finding
this true.
CHORD COLORFUL VOICING LEFT HAND your observations from this recording with A A E A what you do as you’re playing in a worship set. C#m7 B E C# Are you listening well to what the rest of the P.S. For a great read about the concepts I
B B D# E B team is playing? Are you playing activity that relate here, check out “The Power of Habit”
competes with a vocal line? Are you playing by Charles Duhigg. It is fascinating AND very
Make an exercise out of keeping a common activity that’s duplicating what a guitarist is applicable to our musical pursuits.
tone on top of your right hand voicing. This already playing?
may help you see that you sometimes play
chords without thinking of what they might Think about what you hear. Think about how
contribute to the arrangement if a colorful note your part is contributing to the whole. Be
or two were added. This exercise is especially willing to change your part, simplify your part,
helpful in developing your voicing for parts perhaps even leave out your part. Sometimes
Ed Kerr
Ed lives in Seattle with his family. He serves as
Worship Arts Director at First Free Methodist Church,
teaches keyboards in Paul Baloche’s leadworship
workshops, and is a clinician with Yamaha’s House
of Worship. He also manages the Yamaha Worship
Facebook group and invites you to join the group.
www.KerrTunes.com
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Songwriter and Worship Leader with Bethel Church and Bethel Music
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