Hand Independence and Keyboard Awareness for complex chords?

I have a hard time memorizing chord voicings in a song if I'm reading them note-for-note off the written page. Jazz musicians tend to prefer chord symbols, which say a lot about what notes belong in a chord with little symbology. When I am asked to memorize specific voicings for a piece, I find it invaluable to know what kind of chord I'm playing. If it's a familiar voicing - one that I've practiced in other contexts - even better! That way I just have to remember something like: Bb7(#11), upper structure II, E on top instead of Bb - Ab - D - G - C - E.

That's probably not very helpful advice if you're just starting out. Luckily, the more you do it, the more voicings you'll assimilate into your vocabulary. After a while, you'll barely have to read the notes at all; you'll just see entire voicings in one glance. Memorizing them in context will be as easy as playing the same patterns you've played countless times before, albeit in different contexts. To practice toward this end, make sure you can name and describe every chord and voicing you're asked to play. This will require some music theory knowledge.

For now, though, just keep at it! I'm sure you're learning when you practice, and it'll only get easier and faster with time.

/r/piano Thread