Four Awesome Major Chord Voicings for Piano

Four Awesome Major Chord Voicings for Piano takes as an example the C major chord and presents four different useful, mature-sounding voicings, ranging from a closed cluster major chord voicing all the way to a very open, modern sounding voicing. These let you spice up your piano playing.

This chord voicing concepts presented in the current piano lesson are tightly tied in to an older video of mine discussing similar ideas, but in the context of minor (not major) chords:

What Four Major Chord Voicings are Shown?

Form 1: C G (LH), A B D E (RH)
Form 2: C G (LH), C D E G (RH)
Form 3: C G B (LH), D E G B (RH)
Form 4: C G D (LH), E B E (RH)
Form 4B: E C (LH), G C D G (RH)

Each of these voicings basically "dresses up" each chord with additional notes to enhance its frequency content:

Form 1: This is actually a Cmaj9 add 13
Form 2: This is a C add 2
Form 3: This is a Cmaj9
Form 4: This is a Cmaj9
Form 4B: This is a C add 2

Who is this Lesson Aimed At?

This lesson is aimed at piano players interested in expanding their major chord voicing vocabulary. Although some theoretical concepts are discussed throughout the video, YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW ANY THEORY to make use of the forms presented! Just watch, listen and copy what I play, and enjoy! These chord voicings are not difficult to play and do not require any special piano technique.

Which Chord Voicing Should I Use?

The choice of voicing will be determined largely on the context: cluster (close-spaced) chords will tend to evoke a darker mood. The more open voicings might fit in with a more ambient setting. It's really up to you as a piano player to experiment with them in different settings. Many times switching between more closed / more open voicings will create an interesting musical contrast. For example: play the closed form (Form 1) C major chord voicing, and then switch to the open form (Form 4) for F major. Do not overuse any one particular form, or your listeners will get bored.

Don't forget, to use these ideas for piano you must practice, Practice, PRACTICE. Transpose each and every major chord voicing form to all possible chords. Be able to play all forms immediately, and you will be rewarded with the ability to switch between them on the fly, as well as begin to think for yourself on ways for coming up with additional ideas!

More About Chord Voicings from Wikipedia:

"In music composition and arranging, a voicing is the instrumentation and vertical spacing and ordering of the pitches in a chord (which notes are on the top or in the middle, which ones are doubled, which octave each is in, and which instruments or voices perform each). Which note is on the bottom determines the inversion. Voicing is 'the manner in which one distributes, or spaces, notes and chords among the various instruments" and spacing or "simultaneous vertical placement of notes in relation to each other.'"

Related Videos/Playlists:

My channel has many additional piano tutorial videos which I welcome you to check out. The main channel page is:

Here's an interesting video about voicing the 2-5-1 progression:

How to modulate between keys using the 2-5-1 progression:

Learn to play Bach's Prelude in C major:

My playlist of inspiring piano harmony, chord and voicing tips and tricks:
(Inside you will find additional major chord voicing ideas for piano!)

[shalomshendre]

MangoldProject I have been playing keys for a very long time, but I never had a tutor as I am a self taught keyboardist. For a very long time I have been searching for Lot of videos that can help me with my playing skills. Just want to encourage you that your way of teaching is the easiest to grasp and I am sure learning lot of things from your videos.
Don't stop posting videos. People like us who are self taught really need basics and help which is explained in the easiest form.
I really thank God for you.
God bless you my friend. You truly are a Blessing to my life.

[ocean]

just wanted to add... since I discovered this video (5 days ago) + ur channel, I've been practising everyday your voicings. Once I master all these 5 voicings I'll go to ur minor voicings video.
They're beautiful for songwriting. I love ur shit!
Thank you my brother

[MikeKarns]

I have been playing for years, but never too late to learn something new. In Levine's 'Jazz Piano' book, he emphasizes voicings. Now I know why! Thanks for the helpful lesson.

[wowerman]

Voicing on Strings sounds fantastic especially for creating atmosphere and warm vibe.Great for some Electronic dance music.

[MangoldProject]

That's true. I'm actually thinking of making a tutorial about rootless voicings, (Bill Evans style), where the root isn't featured at all. Stay tuned!

[MangoldProject]

Much obliged. Just like in the real world: ask two piano teachers to teach you the same concept and you'll get two different lessons! That's why it's nice to have all of these options here on Youtube :)

[WillsJazzLoft]

That C Major cluster could easily be the opening chord on A House Is Not A Home

[darkhadow]

i must admit that these chord are amazing to hear! sounds melancholic and hopefull at the same time.
by the way, that reminds me The legend of Zelda ! occarina of time title theme

[William_sJazzLoft]

I have a weakness for these chords as well. I love how you demonstrated the similarity between them and the minor ninth and the minor 11th. I'm still learning practical applications of the chords. Excellent video

[SvenArneRasmussen]

Most useful lessons I've come across! Loving these series. As a learned by ear player, and not able to read notes this is improving my playing alot! Thanks.

[DJmisterpeluca]

0:48 *intro of Ocarina of Time starts playing*

[poposki]

you are the best, I get along with your tutorials more than any tutorial on YouTube. Thanks a lot for sharing//

[caroserrano]

your lessons are just great, thank you so much!!!

[johnbresnik]

Very nice - I like your voicings. Here's another C major chord voicing:  LH: B-flat E A and RH: DGC

[danfossard]

Fascinating. I love the sound of those chords. I'm grade 4 but I still have so much to learn. Thanks for the tutorial. Gonna go and practise these.

[stilliving]

I love the way you bring the rationale into your lessons to make musical sense of what you're sharing.

What keyboard are you using?

[RaveenaAroraOfficial]

thank you so much for making these videos. they are helping me a lot! you're doing a great job :)

[ocean]

Old video... and awesome.
and yeah. these voicings absolutely pretty. Thank U

[LawrinMaxwellsmpc]

Brother you continue to impress! Nice voicing

[sylvandelacruz]

That was an awesome lesson. Gosh, I've been playing just over a year and I accompany myself singing using more basic voicings than this, but would really love to play rich jazz chords while I sings. I guess I just have to practice and keep learning every day right?