Tune: King of the SwingersBy 'close' block chords, we mean where the top and bottom notes of the block chord are about an octave apart. In contrast, 'big band style' block chords will tend to have left and right hands playing chords quite far apart, giving a more expansive sound. Notice in this demo how, with a fairly easy technique, you can produce a really varied sound. In the context of longer solos, a section of close block chord playing adds fantastic energy and vigour.You can practice close block chords just as you would scales; get your hands in position and play up and down scales. Then work in segments of arpeggios. Playing an arpeggio fragment in a solo, in block chords, really adds a massive rush of energy. Oscar Peterson, George Shearing, and Bill Evans were famous masters of this.Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fiveminutejazz.substack.com

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