How to Quickly Improvise from the Chord Using Bass Patterns: Example 1
How to improvise from the chord depends on chord construction knowledge and knowing some basic bass patterns. Building on the last weeks’ articles, here are some accompaniment patterns that are widely used. If this seems difficult, remember – you do not have to read any of these notes – just take them from the chord and use them in bass patterns!
Soooo many keys….what’s the pattern?!
Here’s a Basic Bass Pattern
You often see a pattern of I – IV – V – I chords.
This refers to the I (One Chord, i.e. the chord on the Root of the key’s scale of the song)
The IV (Four Chord, i.e. the chord built on the fourth note of the key’s scale)
The V (Five Chord, i.e. the chord built on the fifth note of the key’s scale)
The Chord Bass Pattern I-IV-V-I
For this example below, the key signature is “C”, meaning the song is written in the key of the C Major Scale.
The first note of the C Scale is C, so “I” means the C chord
The fourth note of the C Scale is F, so “IV” means the F chord
The fifth note of the C Scale is G, so “V” means the G chord.
The Chord Bass Pattern used below is C-F-G-C (chords)
Measures 1 and 2 use the C chord
Measures 3 and 4 use the F chord
Measures 5 and 6 use the G chord
Measures 7, 8, and 9 use the C chord
When you name the notes below with their position in the C Scale (meaning C is 1, D is 2, E is 3 in the scale), a bass pattern emerges:
1 – 3 – 4- 4# – 5 (literally 1 1 3 4 4# 5 4# 5 1) for the first two measures.
This pattern repeats (in the third measure) beginning on the 4th note of the scale, F –
and then (in the 5th measure) on the 5th note of the scale, G.
These are basic bass patterns for the left hand. Use these chord accompaniment patterns with different chords until you are comfortable improvising.
In the near future, we’ll add notes of the chord to the right hand, with the melody on top to carry the tune.
If this seems difficult, remember – you do not have to read any of these notes – just take them from the chord and use them in bass patterns!
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Leslie Young is the author/composer of the Revolutionary Piano Method. She co-founded a K-12th grade charter school in Texas and has been a piano teacher for about 40 years. She has had experience teaching a variety of students tackling piano for the first time or as returning student
Leslie believes that “learning to play the piano is more about diligence and perseverance” – but would add that just as critical to success is the method that is used, the encouragement of critical thinking, and the instructional principles that promote immediate success.
She states: “In teaching piano to students of varying ages, what also varies is a commitment of time and the amount of dedication. Children of certain ages may do very well with a parent as teacher; others may need someone who is not family to instruct them. Some older children and adults prefer to make progress on their own, and this method is designed to act as a meticulous guide through new material. Some adults and teens insist on professional teachers, which also encourages continuity. Because these books are self-explanatory, a new or experienced professional teacher will have no trouble using the Revolutionary Piano Method with students. It is an easy way to learn piano.”
