Day 4 – Chords That Lift the Room (2)

Overview

Now we’re moving to the left hand — your bass notes.

At the most basic level, you only need one note in the left hand. If you’re playing a C major triad in your right hand, all you technically need underneath it is a low C. Simple works.

But to add more depth and power, you can use 5ths and octaves.

A 5th is the fifth note of the scale. In the key of C, that would be C up to G. When you play C and G together in your left hand, that’s called playing a 5th.

An octave is the same note repeated higher or lower. So C up to the next C is an octave. It’s the same note — just higher in pitch.

Great players shift between single notes, 5ths, and octaves depending on how the right hand is moving and how everything fits together musically. It’s about feel and flow.

One important note about 5ths:
Unlike octaves, 5ths can sound muddy if played too low on the piano (far to the left). Be careful not to drop them too deep. They usually sound best closer to middle C (the fourth C from the left on the keyboard).

We’ll experiment with each of these so you can hear and feel the difference for yourself.