[Garbo]

Have a great new private teacher who is emphasizing right hand harmony for lead sheets using a very strict formula which sounds lovely but has been hard to master, very slow. I play a certain formula under each melody note with a certain formula in the left hand. Basically it is:
The root in the melody, 5 and 3 below that with root and 7th in the bass.
Third in the melody, 7 and 3 under that, with root and 5 in the bass
Five in the melody, 3 and 7 under that, with root and 5 in the bass
Seven in the melody, 3 and 7 under that, with root and 5 in the bass.
If 4th, 6th, or altered notes in the melody we adapt the formula to whatever is close.
I don't see anything like this in Wille's lessons yet. I think this is worthwhile but sooooooo slow going. Any words of encouragement? Any body else with experience with this approach to lead sheets?

Garbo

[wmyette]

Hey Garbo, thanks for your post. This is similar to my approach in the My Romance lesson and step-by-step standards. There are many approaches to harmonizing a lead sheet. As you said it, it is slow going. As a teacher, I normally want to give the student a "carrot" earlier on. What I mean:

If it takes a student weeks to master a concept, they might get bored or tired and never finish. Therefore, I usually opt to only introduce a few concepts like this and then build upon them as you continue.

You'll notice many of the same techniques that you mentioned in the lessons here. Basically, you are using shells under the melody.

Remember, everything is achievable if you:

1) break a larger concept into smaller ones
2) practice slow, steady and consistently

Good luck and let me know how it goes!

[Garbo]

Thanks for responding so quickly and giving me useful feedback. I was already feeling the monthly fee was fair considering the volumes of content you supply, but a prompt and useful reply in this internet age is impressive! Thanks for the encouragement and the reference to a lesson to help me. When I can't practice I can always feel connected to the piano through your lessons. Love your enthusiasm and generosity!

Camille

[wmyette]

Hey Camille, sure no problem. I would love to know, are you or anyone out there interested in Audio Coaching Lessons with me? By this I mean lessons that you could listen to in the car or ipod, etc?

[rodshaker]

Yes please - it would be very helpful to be able to listen to lessons/concepts whilst on the train/plane/in the car/out for for a walk etc.

Perhaps you could incorporate some form of ear training as well.

Ben

[wmyette]

Originally Posted by rodshaker

Yes please - it would be very helpful to be able to listen to lessons/concepts whilst on the train/plane/in the car/out for for a walk etc.

Perhaps you could incorporate some form of ear training as well.

Ben

Cool, I will put that on our list. I think I might be able to have something on this by this summer.