Velvet jazz
Two soft notes on each beat: the cozy colour of old jazz ballads. One of the left-hand chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need E (little finger, 5), B (index finger, 2) and C (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count 1, 2, 3, 4. Play E and B together on 1, then E and C together on 2, then E and B together on 3, then E and C together on 4.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: B, F♯ and G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Velvet jazz on piano?
Two soft notes on each beat: the cozy colour of old jazz ballads. Left-hand chords or power fifths in rhythm. Musicians call it lh shell voicings (1-7 / 1-3).
Is Velvet jazz hard to play?
It is a beginner pattern. Play it with your left hand alone at 60% speed until it feels steady, then add the other hand.
Which songs use Velvet jazz?
Can't Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley, From Me To You by The Beatles and Somewhere In My Memory by John Williams use Velvet jazz. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.