Piano Tutorial: Chords You Can't Play with One Hand
Playing chords on the piano often involves using one hand, but some chords are simply too complex or span too wide a range to be played with a single hand. These chords require the use of both hands to properly execute. This tutorial will guide you through some of these chords, how to play them, and why they need both hands.
#### Introduction to Extended Chords
Extended chords are chords that go beyond the basic triads (three-note chords) and seventh chords. They include additional notes such as the ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth. These chords often require both hands to play all the necessary notes effectively.
#### Common Chords Requiring Both Hands
1. **Thirteenth Chord (C13)**
- **Notes**: C, E, G, Bb, D, F, A
- **Playing**:
- Left Hand: C (root), E (major third), G (perfect fifth), Bb (minor seventh)
- Right Hand: D (ninth), F (eleventh), A (thirteenth)
- **How to Play**:
- Position your left hand to play C, E, G, and Bb. These form the foundation of the chord.
- Use your right hand to play D, F, and A to complete the thirteenth chord.
2. **Eleventh Chord (G11)**
- **Notes**: G, B, D, F, A, C
- **Playing**:
- Left Hand: G (root), B (major third), D (perfect fifth), F (minor seventh)
- Right Hand: A (ninth), C (eleventh)
- **How to Play**:
- With your left hand, play G, B, D, and F.
- Use your right hand to add A and C.
3. **Ninth Chord (D9)**
- **Notes**: D, F#, A, C, E
- **Playing**:
- Left Hand: D (root), F# (major third), A (perfect fifth), C (minor seventh)
- Right Hand: E (ninth)
- **How to Play**:
- Use your left hand to play D, F#, A, and C.
- Add E with your right hand to complete the ninth chord.
4. **Augmented Eleventh Chord (F#7#11)**
- **Notes**: F#, A#, C#, E, B, G
- **Playing**:
- Left Hand: F# (root), A# (major third), C# (perfect fifth), E (minor seventh)
- Right Hand: B (ninth), G (augmented eleventh)
- **How to Play**:
- With your left hand, play F#, A#, C#, and E.
- Use your right hand to add B and G.
#### Practice Tips
1. **Hands Separately**: Start by practicing each hand separately. Ensure you can play all the notes in each hand smoothly before combining them.
2. **Slow Tempo**: Begin playing these chords slowly. Speed up only when you feel comfortable with the positioning and movement.
3. **Finger Positioning**: Pay close attention to finger positioning to ensure you can reach all the notes comfortably.
4. **Smooth Transitions**: Practice transitioning between these complex chords to develop fluidity in your playing.
5. **Chord Inversions**: Learn and practice different inversions of these chords to help with hand positioning and movement.
#### Example Progression
To put these chords into context, here’s a chord progression using some of the chords we’ve covered:
- C13 → G11 → D9 → F#7#11
**How to Play the Progression**:
1. **C13**: Left hand plays C, E, G, Bb. Right hand plays D, F, A.
2. **G11**: Left hand plays G, B, D, F. Right hand plays A, C.
3. **D9**: Left hand plays D, F#, A, C. Right hand plays E.
4. **F#7#11**: Left hand plays F#, A#, C#, E. Right hand plays B, G.
By practicing these extended chords and the example progression, you will develop the ability to handle complex chords that require the use of both hands.
**Remember, practice makes perfect! Are there any specific extended chords or progressions you’d like to explore further?**
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