Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Voice leading in Jazz (Part 2)

Here's a second blog post

more about voice leading in jazz

that follows up on this one:

voice leading and Fred Hersch and Bach

Mark, good posts about voice leading. Something I am trying to incorporate into my playing now.

Of all the pianists I've listened to, Keith Jarrett is still heads above anyone regarding voice leading.
He has this technique where he'll play the top note as melody and the bass note, then "envelop" the chord on the inside a split second later.

The only adjective I can describe it is "delicious!" There's so many examples of it, especially in his solo ballad playing. I'll post a few.

Keith Jarrett- Danny Boy

Over the Rainbow

wind, thanx for posting those! ... and you're right ... the 'envelope' technique is a great way to work ... bottom of left hand for bass, top of right hand for sorano, top of left hand for tenor. bottom of right hand for alto. fred h gives a ver good description in his downbeat master class.

Hi Mark
I didn't know Nina played the piano as well ! I loved her highly original infusion of classical into Good Bait.

Thanks for this great lesson. It's very liberating to know that I can omit R and 3 from C maj 7 where the C maj 7 is a passing chord.

No worries! they are an inspiration to hear. You playing any ballads right now? I'm learning a few, I Fall in love too easily and It Never entered my mind.