How To Improvise With Triads
The piano is a linear arrangement of black and white notes but the frequencies that we can generate are not linear.
In this 5 minute masterclass we will explore how we can use triads as a way to create improvised melodies.
What Is This Thing Called Love
In this lesson we will use the chord changes for "What Is This Thing Called Love" by Cole Porter. This is an interesting composition because most of the form is comprised of 251s.
We will start by walking though the harmony and explore some voicings that you could use.
Building Triads Over The Harmony
We will then explore the triads that are contained within each of the chords. Depending on the chord type, some contain more triad possibilities than others.
Finally we will demonstrate how we can use these triads to derive melodies and play a full improvised solo.
Related Lessons
We can also achieve some really interesting sounds by applying upper structure triad theory to both major and minor chords.
Upper structure triads are complex sounding altered dominant chords. They will add texture and sophistication to your playing.
The triad is the basic building block for many different types of chords. The 4 types of triads to learn are major, minor, diminished and augmented.
Practice Tips
-
Try not to always think in a linear mindset which is scalar approach to creating music.
-
Thinking in terms of scales gives you a lot of notes but not much lyrical melodic content.
-
Whilst scales can be very useful, if your playing is completely scalar in nature, then it does not leave a lingering feeling of melody because scales in their rawest form are not music, they are just a series of notes.
-
Viewing the triads of each chord will help you make music that is vertically-meaningful, as well as horizontally-meaningful.
- Check out the related lessons above for in-depth studies of upper structure triads.
