INTRODUCTION
W
elcome to R&B Keyboard. If you're interested in pla:ying classic and contemporary R&B
styles. but were never quite sure lmw. then you've corne to the right place! Whatever your
playing level, this book will hclp you sound more authentic in your R&B stylings.
After reviewing some essential chords and scales. we·11 dig into the rnicing techniques and rhythmic pat
terns that are vital for the R&B keyhoardist. We'II focus on ··comping"' (accompaniment) styles using a va
riety of keyboard instruments: acoustic piano. electric piano. organ. cl:l\ inet. and analog synthesizers. This
will help you to create your own keyboar<l part� on a variety of R&B tunes and progressions!
..
Seven complete tunes in various R&B styles are inclu<led in the "Styk File chapter at the end of the
book. Severa! of these examples also include transcrihed keyhoard solo,. Jam ,, ith the rhythm section on
these tunes using the play-along CD - this is a great way to de,·elop your kç:, board chops within these dif
fcrcnt rhythmic grooves.
Good luck wilh your R&B Key board!
CONTENTS
Page
1 What ls Rhythm & Blues? .......................................... 4
2 Scales and Chords
Nlajor Scalcs and Modes .................................................6
Pentatonic and Blues Scales ...............................................8
Triads and Suspensions .................................................. 8
Sevenlh (Four-Part) Chords and Altera1ions .................................. 9
Ninth (Five-Parl) Chords and Alteratio:1s ................................... 10
3 R&B Keyboard Harmony and Voicings
Voicing Concepts ...................................................... 11
Major and Minor Triad Inversions .........................................11
Resolutions within Triads ................................................ l 3
Triad-Over-Root Chord Voicings ..........................................13
Alternating Triad Chord Voicings..........................................16
Mixolydian Third lntervals and Triads......................................18
Left-HandOpen Triad Arpcggios ..........................................19
Pentatonic Scale Fills. and Use Over Chords.................................19
Major and I\-1inor Seventh Chord Inversions .................................20
Four-Part-Over-Root Chord Voicings .......................................22
Seven-Three Chord Voicings .............................................24
Pentatonic Patterns Using Fourth lntervals ..................................24
Double 4th/Cluster Shapes and Chord Voicings ..............................25
Descending Fills \Vith Triads and Sixth Intervals .............................27
4 R&B Keyboard Camping Styles
Rhythmic Concepts .................................................... 28
Early R&B (50s) ...................................................... 30
Motmvn Soul (60s) .................................................... 32
i\lemphis Soul (60s) ....................................................35
Philly Soul (70s) .......................................................38
Funk (70s) ........................................................... 40
Disco (70s) ...........................................................44
R&B Ballad (80s) ..................................................... 48
Dance/Pop (80s/90s) ................................................... 51
Neo-Soul (90s/00s) .....................................................55
5 Style File
Soul Cenius ...................59 lt 'If Always Be This Way ............74
\Vhenever 1'111 with You ..........63 Pump lt Up .......................78
Funk Jam .....................65 Urban Legend . .................... 81
f115ide Out ....................70
