Playing the 3rd or 5th on the bottom

Music Lesson: Song for Sally

In the tune Song for Sally, you'll be able to put into practice a lot of these open voicings.

Chord Progression Overview

• Opening Bar: We're in F after the intro; the main tune starts with:
  • First Chord: F
  • Second Chord: C with E bass (slash chord); meaning C triad with E bass.
  • Third Chord: Ordinary D minor in root position.
  • Fourth Chord: B flat with D bass (first inversion shape).

Note: The C chord and the B flat chord have identical voicings. However, the B flat with the D bass is only one note different from the D minor.

Open Voicings

There are also other types of open voicing in this tune:

• Two-Handed Open Voicings:
  • Open Triad:
    • F major (two notes in each hand).
    • Move to B flat without changing position. This creates a "gospel" sound.

Example Chord Pairs

1. F to B flat
2. B flat minor (adjust left hand)
   • Very moody, this is the four minor.
3. F minor to B flat major
   • Very minor and even darker if we make the four chord minor as well.

Reminder: Those chords are the ones we used in the Natural Minor Workout, where both I and IV are minor.

Add Two Chords

Later on, I introduced some add two chords:

• B flat major add two: Can be played by not needing the B flat in the right hand if it's in the left hand.

  • This appears in the piece with an inverted open triad in the left.

• G flat add two: A simple voicing apart from the second.

Final Chord

• Finish back on F with a nice chord that doesn't have a seventh in it; it's a triad with an added second.

Note: These chords are often written with "add 2" in the chord symbol.

Intro to the Tune

Now, let's revisit the intro of the tune:

• Start with B flat minor in the left hand.
• Move to E flat in the same left hand.
  • Use your third finger in the middle, going to the second finger.
  • Don't forget to use some sustained pedal as well.

As we did in the open triad workout, you could integrate:

• This approach has been lifted from the open triad workout and included in both the intro and the solo.

Interesting Point: This section is not in the same key as the rest of the piece. The main piece is in F, but the solo and the intro start on B flat minor, directly from the open triad workout, then transition into the same minor pentatonics. This produces a beautiful contrast, creating a surprise shift from B flat minor to F (the four minor to the one).