Tips & Tricks for Neo-Soul Chords
- Grace Notes
- Clusters
- Minor 9 Chords
Grace Notes
We all have heard the term "Grace Notes" however in the contaxt of music this just refers to the note right next to the note. For example: In the key of Eb
In the key of Eb, the above example is an Eb major triad with the added 2nd which is F. The grace note would be the F because it is right next to the G.
Clusters
Clusters are just a group of notes that are clump together. Clusters will work when you are playing a major/minor chord. For example: In the key of Db
This is a great cluster chord in the key of Db because this utilizes all the notes in the scale. This combines all the notes for the 4 chord which is Gb (F#)
Minor 9 Chords
Essentially, we are going to be combining a minor chord with all the other tools we have learned so far.
We are going to be in the key of F minor (relative key is Ab)
This is combining a Ab Major 7 chord with an Eb major triad in the 3rd inversion. When you combine these two chords you have powerful minor chord that gives you a bright sound and the best part is that you can invert the Eb chord. This will give you a different sound each time you invert the Eb chord.
The trick to forming the minor chord is take major 7th chord in which every key your in and invert that to the 3rd inversion. Take the first note of the inversion and use that as your chord that you will play in your right hand. This will always be a major chord. Just remember that the major 7th chord will always be played on the 6th note of the scale which will always be a minor.
I hope this post helps you get started in the world of Neo Soul.
For more cool tricks and movements like this, I recommend Gospel Musicians “Fundamentals of Neo-Soul Keyboard” by gospel musician and producer, Jamal Hartwell. Click here for more information.
