Accompanying a melody

Lesson 47 of 72 · The melody on the right, the chords on the left

In this lesson, you will:

Choose the chord that goes with a melody
Accompany the right hand with a bass line, then with chords
Play a whole melody with its chords, with both hands

1. Learn: Which chord goes with the melody?

To accompany a melody, look for the chord that contains its important notes: the ones on strong beats and the long notes. A melody that circles around C, E and G calls for the C chord; around G, B, D and F, the G7 chord.

Listen to the start of Au clair de la lune with the right chords, then with wrong ones: your ear hears the difference right away.

Tip: When a melody note “clashes”, look for the chord that contains it: it’s often the right one.

2. Quiz: Which chord?

The melody plays C – E – G – E. Which chord fits it best?
It plays G – F – D – B. Which chord?
It plays F – A – C – A. Which chord?
Listen: does the accompaniment go with the melody?
And this one?
The same measure twice, with two different chords. Which one sounds right?

3. Learn: Left-hand chords

In the left hand, three shapes are enough for dozens of songs in C, with your hand barely moving:

C: C – E – G, fingers 5-3-1.
G7, short version: B – F – G, fingers 5-2-1. The D is left out: B and F are enough to make G7’s tension heard.
F, inverted: C – F – A, fingers 5-2-1. Your pinky stays on C.

G7, short version: from C – E – G, finger 5 moves down a half step, E becomes F, and your thumb stays on G.

Why this way: Hands separately first, then together: each hand learns its motion on its own, and your brain only has to put them together. Before each two-handed piece, play the left hand alone at least once.

4. Practice: C, G7 and F on the left

The left-hand shapes: place your fingers, then press down in one motion.

5. Piece: Au clair de la lune with both hands

First with a simple bass: C (5) and G (1) in the left hand, under the melody. The left hand changes in the middle of some measures: C (5), then G (1).

6. Guided play: Au clair de la lune, with chords

Now real chords in the left hand: C and the short G7. Both hands play together on the beats where the chord changes.

7. Piece: Ode to Joy, with chords

Ode to Joy, accompanied like a real pianist: the melody on the right, C and G7 on the left. Right hand: the melody. Left hand: C (5-3-1) or the short G7 (5-2-1), one whole note per measure.

To practice

Both hands together: Melody on the right, bass on the left
Both hands on the move: Jingle Bells with its bass
Bass + chords: Accompanying a song with both hands
When the Saints Go Marching In: Starting after a rest

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