Stop Memorizing Chords: Use This 2-Note Trick Instead

Master harmony with this incredibly simple trick: play just 1 third interval in the right hand and 12 bass notes in the left to unlock almost every chord you will ever need on the piano. In this lesson, Jason Zac breaks down the theory and shows you how to apply it across all styles. Ever wondered how pro pianists build those rich, jazzy voicings that sound so much more interesting than basic triads? It all comes down to one tiny interval — the third. In this lesson, Jason breaks down a powerful bottom-up harmony approach that will change how you think about chord building forever. Using just two notes (A and C for the minor third, A and C# for the major third) anchored in your right hand, you'll learn how to harmonize them with 12 different bass notes underneath. The result? Triads, slash chords, seventh shells, jazz extensions, diminished and augmented voicings — all from the same two notes on top. We cover specific voicings like F major, Am/E, Dm7, D7sus4, G11, Bbmaj9, Bb minor major 9 (the James Bond chord), F# diminished, B7b9, A7/G Lydian, Eb half-diminished and many more. You'll also learn how to make 'clashing' bass notes actually work by thickening the harmony and using arpeggios instead of block chords. This lesson is perfect for intermediate pianists who want to break out of simple triads, understand jazz harmony, and finally figure out how to voice chords like the pros. Heavy theory content, practical demonstrations, and clear explanations throughout. If you want structured 1-on-1 instruction or our full video course library, links are in the pinned comment. Cheers! 🎹 🏫 Courses, Workshops or Private lessons ➡️ https://forms.gle/fsbhFKSgJbZ5xZEr8 ============================= 📹 Our Video Courses (Everything for Life Bundle) - https://learn-music.nathanielschool.com/ 🏡 Visit our Channel for more Tutorials & Performances - https://geni.us/NathanielYouTube ============================= ▶️ Related Videos & Playlists 🎬 Piano Left Hand Harmony: 9th Chords, Walking Bass & Diatonic Thirds - https://youtu.be/YCJyoW0afP4 🎯 Piano Arpeggios over Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong - Extensions, Slash Chords & Jazz Voicings - https://youtu.be/Ule7gj-V9LI 🔑 BUILDING Chords & Progressions from the Major Scale (Easy Piano Music Theory) - https://youtu.be/7sv_vrg8XTg 💡 LEARN to Play ALL Major & Minor Piano Chords - TRIADS - https://youtu.be/PAEz0Y82P1s 📂 Jazz Lessons - Chords, Standards & Exercises - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNNL05e9FT9ZCriHyNonJasffWWSCS_E ============================= 🎓 Learn Music With Nathaniel School of Music & Jason Zac: https://nathanielschool.com 📚 All our YouTube lessons (1000+) categorised by skill level, topic & genre all in one place: https://free-music-lessons.nathanielschool.com ⏳ Chapter markers 00:00 - Performance 00:43 - 🎹 Intro — What We’re Building & Why Thirds Matter 01:06 - Major Third vs Minor Third Explained 01:31 - How Thirds Build Every Chord 🎼 01:55 - Setup: Minor Third A, C in the Right Hand 04:36 - Building F Major from A, C 05:07 - A Minor over E — Slash Chord Voicing 05:43 - Open & Thin Sounds with Minor Third 06:08 - Seventh Shells — C as the Minor 7th of D 06:50 - D Minor 7, D7, and D7sus4 Voicings 07:53 - G in the Bass — Sus Chords & 11th Extensions 08:20 - Gospel-Style G11 Dominant Sound 09:12 - Bb in the Bass — Bb Major 9th Voicing 09:35 - 🎬 Bb Minor Major 7 — The James Bond Chord 10:42 - Diminished Chords — D# and F# Diminished 11:13 - The Diminished 7th Shape Explained 11:47 - Half Diminished vs Full Diminished 12:38 - Summary: 9 of 12 Bass Notes Covered 13:13 - Clashing Sounds — Making Them Work 13:32 - B in the Bass — Building B7b9 14:12 - G# and C# — Passing Chord Tricks 15:41 - 🎵 Transition to the Major Third (A, C#) 16:25 - F# Minor & F Augmented Voicings 16:50 - A over C# Slash Chord 16:55 - Major Third Seventh Shells — D Major 7 17:44 - B Minor 9 and B Dominant 9 18:05 - G in the Bass — A7/G Lydian Sound 18:20 - Lydian vs Lydian Dominant 18:50 - Eb Minor 7b5 — Half Diminished Voicing 19:35 - Bb as a Clashing Bass — Augmented Tricks 19:57 - Bb Minor Major 7 — Cinematic Dark Sound 🎬 20:22 - Open Sounds with Major Third 20:28 - G# Bass — Phrygian Flavor 20:54 - Arpeggiating Clashing Notes 21:48 - The Big Picture — Shells & Shapes 22:05 - Cantus App Mention 📱 💰 Donate on PayPal: https://geni.us/DonatePayPal 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonzac 📞 +917760456847 (Mobile & WhatsApp) 📧 Customised & Private Classes: music@nathanielschool.com 🎧 Listen to Jason Zac Music: https://riffs.jasonzacmusic.com/ #ChordTheory #SlashChords #PianoChords