4-Note Chords
4-Note Chords
Definition
4-Note chords are simply triads with 1 note added. The 4-note chord Cmaj7 would be played C, E, G and B from bottom to top.
Importance
By the addition of just 1 more note to the triad we get much more color. There are basically seven types of 4-note chords. Like the triads we can build 4-note chords on any of the 12 different keys on the piano. Thus there are eighty four 4-note chords ( 7 x 12 ). 4-Note chords are either 6th or 7th chords. For example the following chords are 4-note: C6, Cm6, Cmaj7, C7 etc..
Application
When playing a 4-note chord in the left hand the total span of the chord will always be smaller than an octave. This enables even students with a small hand to be able to reach 4-note chords. Below is Misty arranged with 4-note chords in the left hand.