Two-Handed Voicing Essentials for Beginner Jazz Pianists

Practical steps for introducing a beginner jazz pianist to advanced comping chords.

While a young jazz pianist can manage well in their school’s band using the standard jazz block chord shape, it is important they eventually transition to two-handed open voicings more commonly used in a typical jam session. These steps will not only supply them with a voicing formula that sounds fantastic in context, but also a method of practice that will encourage progress and speed.

1.) Introducing the left hand “shell voicing”

Students should become familiar with simplifying the left hand to just the Root and 7th. This will serve in both comping and soloing situations.

The right hand will then take the 3rd and 5th to create a nice open-sounding voicing.

Practice should include taking the full two-handed voicing and left hand “shell” voicing on its own through the circle of fifths. Afterward they should be used in reading a lead sheet or big band chart.

2.) Applying two-handed voicings to a ii-V-I progression

Perhaps the most important application these chords will have is a ii-V-I. The example below shows an excellent way to introduce guide tone voice leading within this progression using two-handed comping voicings. These voicings are comfortable for beginners because they are simply spreading out the block chord without adding additional notes.

The left hand plays a Root-5th voicing and the right hand plays 3rd-7th on the ii chord. This sets up the right hand for movement to the 7th-3rd of the V7 chord and the left hand for a Root or Root-3rd. The progression finally resolves in a Root-5th 3rd-7th voicing for the I chord. Some doubling is okay while they become familiar with this process. As they practice, the consistent movement of the fingers will help guide them to the right notes in more challenging tonal centers.

3.) Applications to big band and small combo settings

Along with taking these voicings through the circle of fifths, students should practice them in a variety of rhythms to emulate great jazz compers. Below are two sample rhythms that would sound effective in their big band or small group. Combining or altering these rhythms will also add variety to their playing.