keyboard/piano... gasp... question

[cranberrysauce]

I am a bassist first and foremost, but I've picked up a gig playing keyboards and rythm guitar for a local blues band. They want me on the keys for just a few songs. Im rather novice on the keys, but Im ok for what we are doing.

Here is my question to anyone who plays keys..

When playing an inverted major 7th chord with the right hand... what is propering fingering? Or what is the best, acceptable fingering? I know there probably isn't a rule written in stone somewhere, but you never know.

Id like to know the best fingering... for say an E chord.

I play the B with my thumb, the E with my index finger, and the C# with my ring finger. And when I add the 7th (D), I play that D and E with the same finger (index). Is there a better or more acceptable way to play those type chords.. it seems a bit hairy to me that way.

[HollowBassman]

My philosophy is "whatever is the easiest, most natural way to get it to sound right, is the right way."

Of course, I don't play keys, but I don't see any reason why it would be different.

P.S. Music related questions will get more(and better) responses in the Misc. section.

[Techmonkey]

^^^^

what he said, it really does depend on where you're coming from and where you're going to. as long as you remember to elevate your hands a bit, and look sharp, no-one will care.

[cranberrysauce]

It does feel somewhat doable when I play it the way I play it. I guess Im just trying to see if there is a more standardized way to play inverted 7ths that might make it easier for me.

I know what you guys are saying, and I apply that to my bass playing. I know alot of my fingering on the fretboard isnt textbook correct, but at least I know the textbook, standard, "correct" method.

Im way OCD when it comes to music though....

Maybe a moderator can move this to "misc"??

[stretchcat]

Originally Posted by cranberrysauce

When playing an inverted major 7th chord with the right hand... what is propering fingering? Or what is the best, acceptable fingering? I know there probably isn't a rule written in stone somewhere, but you never know.

Id like to know the best fingering... for say an E chord.

I play the B with my thumb, the E with my index finger, and the C# with my ring finger. And when I add the 7th (D), I play that D and E with the same finger (index). Is there a better or more acceptable way to play those type chords.. it seems a bit hairy to me that way.

If you are playing a D natural, the chord is E7 (dominant) and NOT E Major7. As a general rule, when I play a dominant chords on keys I usually don't put the 7 on the top and I try to avoid root notes.

So...if you are playing a "blues in E", a voicing might look like this for E7: G#, B, D, F#

(It's really an E9 chord.)

Try building your dominant chord voicings from the 3 and the flatted 7 (you can flip them) and add color tones (9's #9's, 13's etc...) to fatten up the sound.

E7= G# and D
A7= G and C#
B7= A and D#

Hope this helps.

[Lorenzini]

Don't *gasp* at keyboard talk! Keys are essential.

[Jeremy Crockett]

Learn to play like this and you've won:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kDHD4Bs_EI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khJaHNocYK0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmAQJYPAwAU