Playing 4 note chords (sevenths)

Hi,

I have a question I'd like to ask of the more accomplished musicians here about playing 4 note chords like dominant 7ths. My question deals with hand positioning ....hopefully I'll know from responses to this thread if I'm getting into any bad habits or not. Which I'd like to of course avoid since it'll inhibit my playing later. Currently at this point in my own lessons, I've moved on from playing triads to the four note chords.

Here is what I'm referring to, and I'll try to explain as well as I can:

I've been playing chords like C7 or F7 in their root positions (I'm playing these with the left hand at the moment) , and when I play the notes which make up these seventh chords, I've been centering my hand while playing them. By that I mean, I usually center the hand postion when the first chords called for in the songs are the aforementioned 7th's.

To better explain my problem above, what I find myself doing while playing these (if they are the first chords called for in music I'm playing) is that all my fingers are high in the region of the black keys. And, for example, in the case of the left hand playing these chords like C7 in root position, my pinkie finger and all the other fingers will be in the region on the black keys...between them or up in that area. In other words, the hand is centered with no angle. Is there anything wrong with that, or am I getting into a bad habit already? Am I making things more difficult to facilitate movement to other chords or notes?? Let me explain a little further:

Now if I were playing the C major chord, and then added a seventh, I would add the extra note and the closest fingers to that extra note would get a 'lift'...and the hand wouldn't be exactly centered or all the fingers up in the region of the black keys in that situation, but I'm just referring to cases where the very first chord(s) I end up playing are C7 or F7.

Thanks, and I look forward to your responses.

If you're playing a dominant seventh by itself, usually the most comfortable position is the best. Don't be afraid to 'play deep'. The best way to play a C7 is 1-2-3-5 with 2 and 3 playing deep.

Now, having said that, in reality you must think about what chord/note is coming NEXT. This is what piano technique is all about. There is an approach position for a chord when coming from the previous position, then the hand usually repositions itself in anticipation of moving to the next chord or moving an individual finger along in a melody. How you position your hand depends on where you're coming from and where you're going. It also depends on how much of the chord is moving. In other words, are you moving from chord to chord, playing arpeggiated chords, moving to a different chord on the same root note, or playing a melody within the chord, etc.

Just try to think a move ahead. What is the easiest way to get to the next position AND where do I go from there? Considering hand position in this way will usually let you arrive at a self-explanatory position. Think smooth, comfortable and quick.

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Stop! I know it's boring and painstaking, but you need to start playing your chords in all inversions. It'll take months, if not a year, to get proficient, but you need to be able to reach for, and play, any major or minor chord in any inversion without thinking about it.

Spend at least an hour a day for the next few months playing chords around the circle of 5ths (forward and backward) in each inversion. Play 6th, 7th, and Maj7 chords, too.

For example, play around the circle of 5ths/4ths (both hands), with each chord in the first inversion. Then do it in root position, then in 2nd inversion (and 3rd for 4-note chords, etc.).

Also play arps and scales in every key, major and minor. Practice arps starting on any note in the chord, too.

Now, for voicing chords, typically you play the chord in the left hand so that your thumb falls between middle 'C' and 'E'. Any lower, and the chords sound muddy, especially on a short grand or upright. You'll also find that often the root is omitted on 7th chords in many 'pop' styles. (So you should practice rootless 7th chords in all inversions, too.)

Always keep your hand in the most comfortable posisition. The key is to move your hand quickly and without thinking t deletia ]

[ deletia ]

Stop! I know it's boring and painstaking, but you need to start playing your chords in all inversions. It'll take months, if not a year, to get proficient, but you need to be able to reach for, and play, any major or minor chord in any inversion without thinking about it.

Spend at least an hour a day for the next few months playing chords around the circle of 5ths (forward and backward) in each inversion. Play 6th, 7th, and Maj7 chords, too.

For example, play around the circle of 5ths/4ths (both hands), with each chord in the first inversion. Then do it in root position, then in 2nd inversion (and 3rd for 4-note chords, etc.).

Also play arps and scales in every key, major and minor. Practice arps starting on any note in the chord, too.

Now, for voicing chords, typically you play the chord in the left hand so that your thumb falls between middle 'C' and 'E'. Any lower, and the chords sound muddy, especially on a short grand or upright. You'll also find that often the root is omitted on 7th chords in many 'pop' styles. (So you should practice rootless 7th chords in all inversions, too.)

Always keep your hand in the most comfortable posisition. The key is to move your hand quickly and without thinking to the correct

what is a more accomplished musician? Is it how they play or hiw they make their living?