two is added . The two is the note in the scale between the root and third of the chord . So , the G2 is G A D .
THE 5 CHORD , A MAJOR
Right Hand ( from top to bottom ) A D C # Left hand ( from top to bottom ) E A
Right Hand ( from top to bottom ) A E D Left hand ( from top to bottom ) F # B
Could be played as an add4 chord . This is a very distinctive chord that sounds especially good on guitar , but also translates well to pad parts or piano parts . In the add4 chord you play the root , third and fifth of the chord and add the 4 . That ’ s the note that naturally occurs in the key between the third and fifth of this chord . So , in the key of D , the 5 chord is A C # E , and the Aadd4 is A C # D E .
This chord has a beautiful bit of dissonance between the C # and D of the chord . It also presents some challenges to you as a keyboard player . If you play the notes of this chord right next to each other on your instrument , the sound can be a bit muddy . Experiment with distributing the notes between your hands so that some of this muddiness goes away .
For example , with a piano sound , a voicing that works well as follows .
THE 6 CHORD , B MINOR
Can be played as a minor 7 add 4 . Yikes . That sounds really complicated ! First of all , rather than just play the triad for the 6 chord , B D F #, you ’ ll often hear the 7 th added to the triad to create the minor 7 chord . Go to the 5 th of your chord , F #, skip the next scale tone and you ’ ll land on the 7 , A . Keep your calculator handy . Now you ’ re going to find the note between the 3 rd and 5 th of the chord . That ’ s the 4 of your Bmin7 ( add4 ). It contains B D E F # and A .
This is another chord that can sound muddy depending on where you place these notes in your hands . Here ’ s a voicing that works well .
Incorporating these colorful notes in your chords might seem overwhelming right now . Give yourself time as you learn to let these colors influence your playing . Just as Jennifer Holm instinctively adds them to her guitar chords , I hope you ’ ll spend some time getting used to making these notes part of your keyboard palette . The richness and variety they bring is fantastic .
Ed Kerr Ed Kerr 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