Broken Chords
Sometimes when you play a chord, instead of playing all three notes together, you play the lowest note of the chord shape (chord fingering), followed by the other two notes of the chord. The following example demonstrates broken chords in ^ time using the chords C, F and G7.
Know Your Keyboards…
MIDI
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a method of allowing communication between electronic musical instruments, such as keyboard synthesizers and computers. The way that MIDI differs from connecting a "line out" from an instrument such as a guitar to an amplifier, or a microphone to a PA, is that no audio signal is transmitted. Instead, a series of computer data is sent through a MIDI cable to compatible hardware or software, where it is then converted into sound.
Here is a new version of the song you learned in example 16, this time using broken chords in the left hand part. Practice the left hand separately at first if necessary.
Morning Has Broken uses all the chords you have learned so far and once again uses broken chords in the left hand part. It also introduces the note A below middle C in bar 17. If you have trouble co-ordinating both hands, practice each hand separately until you are confident playing each part and then combine them.
Broken Chords in * Time
Broken chords work equally well in ^ time and * time. Here are some examples of broken chords in the key of C in * time. Once you are comfortable playing them, try applying broken chord accompaniments to some of the other songs you have learned.
This traditional folk song is played with a broken chord accompaniment. Take care with the chord change from C to G7 on the third beat of bars 7 and 15.
Know Your Keyboards…
Minimoog
The Minimoog is an iconic analog synthesizer produced by the Moog company, which became popular with electronic musicians in the early 70s and 80s. The classic sound of the Minimoog (which is able to produce a variety of sounds from a rich bass line to a soaring lead solo) can be heard on many famous recordings by artists such as Pink Floyd and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
