Greetings everyone,
As back to school season starts to come I must say that I am shocked. My emailbox has been swamped and everyone has sent in some very interesting questions and let me say that I was very impressed. This month's question comes from Benedict Tetteh-Kwabla who asks about the progressions and upper structure. (I received an email two days after about progressions using tritones and ditones)
If you haven't signed up for our e-book which provides chords and practicing skills, I highly recommend it.
From: ben********ta@gmail.com
Saturday, August 18, 2011 12:41 PM
Subject: Enquiries Follow Up
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I want to know some chord progressions and what 'upper structure is'. take
care
My response:
Upper structure are triads played in the right hand which have a different root from the left-hand chord. They are usually associated with a dominant 7th chord. The upper structure can be a major or minor chord. However, it's usually major.
**If you have a dominant 7 chord you can substitute that for a tritone and a dominant 7th chord in this case is: C-E-G-Bb (The tritone would be the 3rd and the 7th which is E and Bb)
Think of this for example:
In the left hand you are playing a dominant 7th chord. In this case, C and Bb
In the right hand, you would be playing a triad chord which is E,A,C# (a A major chord 3rd inversion)
In terms of your second question about progressions using the ditone here is one that is very handy which I call the 6-7-1 progression.
We are going to be in the key of C# (Db)
The 6 is A# (Bb)
The 7 is C
The 1 is C# (Db)
Here is your 6th chord
Left Hand: A#-D
Right Hand:G#-C#-F# (Ab-Db-Gb)
Here is the 7th chord
Left Hand: C-E
Right Hand: A-D-G
Here is the 1 chord
Left Hand: C#-F
Right Hand: A#-D#-G# (Bb-Eb-Ab)
I just want to say keep up the great work and continue to excel in your playing because knowledge is power. I really have to say that I applaud you for sending this email and the eagerness to learn to improve your skills. I just had to share this with everyone in the community.
All the best,
-JM