Left Hand Technique for the B Section

So now let's look at the left hand of the B section. We will use the left hand as if we're comping in the Duke Ellington orchestra.

F6 Chord

• Your left hand will become like the guitar of your piano orchestra.
• F6 chord:
  • Triad: F, A, C
  • Sixth: D (added with the thumb)

So we have:

• 1 (F), 2 (A), 3 (C), 4 (D) - which makes it an F6.

Going forward, we'll change chords.

F# Diminished Seventh Chord

Now, we move to an F# diminished seventh. It may sound fancy, but it's quite simple from where we are:

• Move your thumb up a semitone to Eb.
• Move your little finger up a semitone to F#.

This gives us:

• F#: little finger on F#, third finger on A, second finger on C, thumb on Eb.

So, we have the chord:

• F# A C Eb (F# diminished seventh).

Chord Progression

First Three Bars

The first three bars are as follows:

1. F6: "My darling I guess my mind's more at ease."
2. F# diminished seventh chord.
3. C Inversion:
   • Little finger on G, second finger on C, thumb on E.

Adding C7

Then, we add our third finger on Bb to create a C7 chord.

Recap of Chords

To recap:

• F6: F, A, C, D.
• F# diminished seventh: F#, A, C, Eb.
• C Inversion: G, C, E.
• C7: Add Bb.

Now let's sing the melody while playing the left hand.

Singing and Playing

1. 1, A, 2, A.
2. 1, 2, 3: "My darling I guess my mind's more at ease."

Next, we return to the F6 but keep the same chord, and this part changes slightly.

E Minor 7 Chord

We'll add a chromatic move here:

• E minor 7: little finger on E, third finger on G, second finger on B, thumb on D.

Chromatic Scale

Now, we move down chromatically:

• D becomes C#, B becomes Bb, G becomes F#, E becomes Eb.

This leads to:

• Eb minor 7 down to D minor 7:
  • Notes for D minor 7: D, F, A, C.

Singing and Playing Tempo

I'll sing the melody slowly, so you can watch the left hand.

1. Ready? 1, 2, 3, 4:
   • "Darling, I guess my mind's more at ease" back to F6, but nonetheless E minor 7: "Why stir up memories?"

Conclusion of Left Hand

That is the left hand of the B section complete.

Adding a Turnaround

At the end, I would like to add a G for a nice turnaround that sets us back into the C chord of the A section.

Full Playthrough

Once again, let's go:

• "Darling, I guess my mind's more at ease" back to F6 but nonetheless E minor 7: while going through semitones, G, D.

I'll play it nice and slow without singing, then you can see what happens in the B section.

1. Ready?

Then we're back to A.

Practice Together

Let's take it in turns:

• I'll play the left hand, you play the right hand starting on D:
  • "Darling, I guess."

Repeat Practice

1. 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4: "Darling, I guess."

Now let's swap roles:

• Ready?
• I'll play the right hand, you play the left hand.

Final Playthrough Together

Now, both hands together should sound something like this:

• 2, 2, 3.

Now, when you feel confident, add a bit of rhythm to your left hand.

Rhythmic Touch

Instead of a static chord on "Darling, I guess," add a little rhythm:

• 1, A, 2, 3, 4: Just a little nuance.

You can experiment and have fun with it. Enjoy playing the left hand because that is the rhythm section of your very own orchestra!