My two cents (for what it's worth) . . .

When I first joined Synthzone over 12 years ago, I too had hoped the discussions included more about music theory (scales, chords, chord progressions, chord substitutions, chord extensions, on bass/pedal, arranger orchestration, etc), as well as arranger keyboard specific "playing" technique. When I initially brought up rootless jazz chord voicings, I was poo-poo'ed and even accused by a few members of coming off like an elitist snob, so gave up any idea of this place being anything else other than an informative, and often combative 'gear debate' forum. I suspect the reason could be the membership's extreme variance of music background, experience, and education. I also discovered early on that being a 'Pro' musician here doesn't necessarily reflect one's musicianship skill level.

I for one want to continually improve as a musician, so it will be interesting to find out how many others here are really seriously interested in becoming better arranger keyboard players, or simply content maintaining the status quo, whatever level it may currently be (from beginner to advanced).

OK, Let’s start here:
Use Roman numbers for the step of the scales so that when we refer to Roman # I we will be referring to the first step of a scale. Use the same method for all scales.

EX. Key of C Major
C=I D=II E=III F=IV G=V A=VI B=VII
Key of F major
F=I G=II A=III B=IV C=V D=VI E=VII

I can now state that the most used progression is
V to I G to C in the key of C. C to F in the key of F.

Look through your lead sheets for V to I progressions. The V7 chord is normally used instead of a V chord. In the key of C Major it would be G7 to C instead of G to C. The seventh gives a strong feeling of movement.

Like I said in my post, just one thought, and then slowly build on it. This will give people a chance to absorb and research.

John C.

One more comment to 124. Do yourself a big big favor if you're serious about learning, and buy the "Real Fake Book" the "jazz version. Google for it. Start with the simple tunes and as you progress work with the more complicated songs.

Purchase the plain simple version of BIAB. Type the chords in and play along after you get a bit familiar with a few songs in the fake book.

It would take Russ 150 years to teach you on this forum what you will learn in a month with the fake book if you know how a chord is structured. If you don't know how to build a chord, you’ll need to learn to play the scale and go up a second octave and find the 9th note the 11th note the 13th note so on and so forth. Then you’ll understand how a chord is structured and it will be easier to figure out the b9, #9, b5, #5 etc.

For example, for C9 play C, E, G and D. . . for C79 add the Bb for the dominate 7th or B natural for a CM7,9. Incidentally usually when you see C9 most of the time it will call for the dominant or the flatted 7th if that’s what you want to call it.

Forget about inversions, rootless chords etc. until you learn how to form a straight up chord. You can learn the inversions, rootless and such after you began to understand chord structure. You have to learn how to form the chords first. You can’t run until you learn to walk right?

I don't know any other simpler way to explain this. I taught a friend this theory almost 40 years ago in 8 hours in one day. The next day he is not a pianist, but he’s singing and playing the chords to “I Left My Heart In SF.” He figured it out on his own just after he understood basic chord structure. He wasn't a rocket scientist and only had a little knowledge playing a trumpet and he didn't do that very well.

I always claimed that if you can count to 13 and you’re really interested, I can teach you this at a piano in a very short time.

In western style music, ( I’m not talking country music), there are only 13 notes. So, in reality then you just start talking another octave. This is really pretty simple if you figure it out mathematically.

This system will not work if you want to be a concert pianist. If that’s the case forget what I said here and hire a great concert pianist to teach you. Warning if you do the concert pianist thing, hire a teacher and learn to read music, there’s a more than 90% chance you won’t be able to jam. Usually at a jam session there isn’t any sheet music available.

If you can't count to 13 then you're hopeless. Ha ha! (Pun intended.) I hadn't met any one lately who couldn't count to 13.

If anyone wants to, please email me. I don’t know everything neither does anyone else. I’m willing to share what I am able to share. Thanks for putting up with me again.