Mastering Polychords: Simplifying Complex Chord Progressions
In the world of music, exploration and innovation are key to creating fresh, captivating sounds. One such technique that has gained traction among guitar and piano players is the use of polychords. Polychords offer a unique opportunity to combine two different chords played simultaneously, resulting in richer, thicker harmonic textures that elevate composition, improvisation, and reharmonization.
Polychords can be visualized and practiced as combined arpeggios or chord shapes, forcing a fresh approach to fingerings and chord voicings that expand the instrument’s harmonic vocabulary. For pianists, polychords empower them to layer distinct chords in the left and right hands, enriching jazz, classical, and contemporary music with sophisticated sounds, often used in reharmonization and advanced jazz progressions.
The circle of fifths is a valuable tool when navigating polychords. By choosing a base chord that'll live in the lower voice and using the rest of the circle of fifths for the upper voices, musicians can create intricate harmonies. For instance, a polychord containing a D7 chord with the notes D, F#, A, and C paired with an E major triad with the notes E, G#, and B has tonalities of G major and E major at the same time.
As you move further away from the home key when using the circle of fifths, the sound becomes darker and more complex. This journey into unknown territory can help in noticing patterns that connect to modes, scales, and extensions, offering new possibilities for fresh harmonic ideas beyond traditional single-chord voicings.
Some polychords can exhibit polytonality when different chord qualities such as diminished and augmented are used, creating a unique tension and release effect. Polychords function similarly to slash chords, with a whole triad or seventh chord in the bass voice instead of one note.
When notating polychords, the chord played in the upper voices will be found on top, with the other chord in the lower voices at the bottom. In notation, a horizontal line splits up the chords in polychords, instead of a slash.
Understanding polychords gives another tool to create harmonic interest in chords and progressions. This technique is especially useful in jazz, modern classical, and experimental music contexts, giving guitar and piano players fresh material and a way to signature their harmonic language.
Anthony Albanese, a music producer and educator, leads the way in teaching and exploring polychords. As the founder of jazz pop duo Elluisoir and the composer and producer at RVRSPlay, Albanese has made significant contributions to the music industry. He heads the website's YouTube channel and Premium Courses education platform, providing valuable resources for musicians seeking to master this intriguing technique.
An example of a polychord is the F major chord and the G major chord, which can be combined to form an F major 9 #11 13 chord or simply written as G over F. With polychords, the possibilities for harmonic exploration are endless, inviting musicians to push the boundaries of traditional music theory and create their unique sound palette.
[1] Albanese, A. (2022). Polychords: A Comprehensive Guide. RVRSPlay. [3] Albanese, A. (2023). Polychords for Guitar and Piano: Techniques and Applications. RVRSPlay.
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