A block chord is a chord or voicing built directly below the melody either on the strong beats or to create a four-part harmonized melody line in “locked-hands” rhythmic unison with the melody, as opposed to broken chords.
What do block chords mean?
Definition of block chords
: a succession of musical chords produced by the component voices or parts moving in the same rhythm.
How is a block chord played?
In the jazz language, block chords refers to an arranging technique in which a melody is harmonized in 5 parts. Specifically, this technique voices the melody in octaves with 3 notes in between. Usually, the right hand plays the top 4 notes while the left hand plays 1 note (see example above).
What is the difference between block chords and broken?
Block chords occur when all of the notes of a chord are played simultaneously in one solid “block”. The following shows examples of block chords. Broken chords occur when the notes of a chord are not played simultaneously.
What is block chords in piano?
A block chord is a type of voicing where each of the notes are close together, within an octave. The great George Shearing popularized the sound of block chords on piano by doubling the highest note of his voicings an octave below, reinforcing the the chord to emphasize his melodies.
What is drop 2 voicing piano?
Drop 2 chords (or drop 2 voicings) refer to taking a closed-position chord and dropping the second-highest note down an octave in order to create an open-position chord.
How do you play blocks on the piano?
Youtube quote: One two three four whenever I say one let's play AC major block chord with our right hand we'll do this four times in a row. Ready.
What is arpeggio in music?
While a chord is defined as a group of notes that are sounded together at the same time, an arpeggio, a.k.a. “broken chord,” indicates a chord in which the notes are sounded individually.
