(101) 17 Simple, Stylish Accompaniment Patterns for Composing on the Piano! (Part 1)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J619Ibzh5wIntroduction

Introduction

• Demonstration of accompaniment patterns using four chords: A, F, C, and D.

Basic Chord Structure

• Each chord is played in root position: first, third, and fifth notes of the scale.

• Concept of open spacing introduced by rearranging notes.

Accompaniment Patterns

Pattern 1: Broken Chords with Open Spacing

• C chord example: play root position (C, E, G).

• Variations for each chord:

  • A minor: Skip C and place it an octave higher.

  • F: Skip A and place it an octave higher.

  • C: Skip E and place it an octave higher.

  • E minor: Skip G (middle) and place F an octave higher.

Pattern 2: Alternating Octaves

• Start in octave position and alternate between the fifth and first/third an octave higher.

Pattern 3: Stepwise Movement

• Start in octave position.

• Play up and down using the sequence: 1, 2, 3, 2, 1 repeated.

Pattern 4: Stepwise Reach Above

• Begin in octave position.

• Reaches one whole step above the octave, alternating five with two, three, and one.

Pattern 5: Alternating with Three First

• Switch the sequence to reach up to three first before alternating five with two and one.

Pattern 6: Crossover in Octave Position

• Begin in octave position and crossover stepwise: 1, 2, 3.

• Move to ripcord position, laying one and five in two.

Pattern 7: Open Spacing Arpeggio

• Start with open spacing, skip third and play octave up, then return to root position (one, five, three) and descend arpeggios.

Pattern 8: Block Chords Introduction

• Play root note, then jump to second inversion (five in bottom).

• Alternate with five and reach to four stepwise.

Pattern 9: Back to Octave Position

• Follow the usual octave position, skipping the third, then descending back to five and up to three on top.

• Final stepwise descent: three, two, one, seven.

Pattern 10: Block Chords and Inversions

• Start with root in the bass, jump to root position chord.

• Move top note down an octave, returning to root position chord but reaching six on top instead of five.

Pattern 11: Three-Octave Arpeggio

• Arpeggio performed up and down while skipping the third initially.

• Variation includes playing each chord’s seven on top for D chord.

Importance of Finger Technique

• Good fingering is crucial for smooth and fast arpeggios.

• Use consistent finger positions as demonstrated.

Patterns in Different Time Signatures

Simple Patterns in 3/4 or 6/8 Time

• Start simple: root chord, followed by third an octave higher, then back down to five.

• Variations include alternating five with one and two.

Pattern 14: Simple Crossover Pattern

• Skip third and return downward with open pattern.

Patterns 15 & 16: Block Chord Patterns

• Block chord pattern starting with root in the bass then using second inversion.

• Repeat with root position chord followed by second inversion arrangement.

Final Pattern in 4/4 Time

• Technical pattern starting with root in the bass.

• Move to second inversion, play the notes from top to bottom in stepwise motion (to four, then fifteen, three).