| A student wrote me an email about the lesson | | | | is a beginning section where the melody repeats. |
| "Ocean Dreams." Here it is: | | | | Then another section is added (still only using the |
| "Dear Edward, I can't believe that you're using just 3 | | | | same 3 chords) with a contrasting melody. Then back |
| chords for this piece. It sounds like it uses much | | | | to the first theme so the whole piece can be broken |
| more material. Please tell me how you did it!" | | | | down into what's commonly know as ABA form |
| Here's my answer - Dear B. First, thanks for listening | | | | (even though this piece was improvised). |
| to my free lesson. To answer your question, the | | | | Using repetition and contrast, we create music that |
| secret to getting the full sound you hear in this piece | | | | has a definable form or shape. ABA form is very, |
| is not in how many chords are used. It's in how the | | | | very common and is used in almost all genres of |
| chord is voiced! Notice in the lesson that your left | | | | music, especially New Age. This is why I always say |
| hand is very much open and covers a full octave of | | | | that you don't need a lot of material to create with. |
| the keyboard. | | | | If you understand and use time tested principles, you |
| This is what creates the full sound you hear! My right | | | | can use just 3 chords and create an entire piece of |
| hand is playing melody notes pretty close to the left. | | | | music. I hope this answers your question. Regards, |
| Also, I use the principles of repetition and contrast to | | | | Edward Weiss. |
| maintain interest. For example, you'll notice that there | | | | |