Broken chord patterns are ‘nearly music already’. In this module, we add a left hand (bass) and some syncopation in preparation for some broken chord riff-building

This Broken Chord Patterns web page is part of Musicarta.com's Patreon subscriber content. Please dive right in and try it out, but you may you need to work through the Finding Inversions series and Broken Chords Page One first.

Adding some rhythm

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Watch this video right through, listening closely to how it develops when the MS (written music) flips over.

The riff develops as follows.

  1. The original riff, in time and with a left hand bass note every bar (of 6-8).

  2. Then the right hand top and bottom notes (which repeat) merge, so you end up playing an anticipated noted before the bar line.

  3. Next you develop the bass line with a quaver G before the 2nd and 4th left hand C's.

  4. You move the left hand G-C pair along a bar and anticipate the 2nd and 4th bass notes.

If you can't go straight to the final version, build up with diligent practice of the intermediate steps.Thoughtful practice is never wasted!

The pattern in D minor

Simply by moving both hands one key to the right, we can play the pattern in D minor.

Take the opportunity to work through the build-up steps again. You should be able to hear any version in your head and drop straight into it.

Now go on to Page Three and start building riffs using
broken chord patterns on these two chords.

Hope you're enjoying studying with Musicarta! Come back soon!