What's a TUS?
#5 #9 11th 13th 9th all 12 keys audience b5 b9 bass notes captivating chord alterations chord extensions chord foundation chord progressions chord voicings color color tones devil's interval dissonant sound dominant 7th chord extended chords harmonic concept improvisation jazz chords jazz harmony jazz musician jazz piano jazz piano skills jazz theory left hand major third minor seventh perfect fifth piano piano playing piano technique practice resolution richness right hand root note semitones sophisticated harmonies tension triad combinations tritones tus upper structure triads versatile technique whole tones Mar 18, 2023Welcome to another exciting blog post from Cool Piano Teacher LLC! Today, we're diving deep into the world of jazz harmony by exploring the use of Upper Structure Triads in the right hand with Tritones in the left hand, commonly known as TUS. This technique can add a unique color and richness to your piano playing, and it's an essential skill for any serious jazz musician. So, let's jump right into this keyword-rich blog and start mastering TUS!
Understanding Upper Structure Triads
An Upper Structure Triad (UST) is a harmonic concept where a triad is played over a different root note, creating complex and colorful chord extensions. The USTs are usually played in the right hand while the left hand plays the bass notes or root of the chord. This technique can add sophisticated harmonies to your jazz piano playing by introducing extended chords (9ths, 11ths, and 13ths) and alterations (b5, #5, b9, #9).
Introducing Tritones in the Left Hand
A tritone is an interval consisting of three whole tones, or six semitones. It is also known as the "devil's interval" due to its dissonant sound. In jazz, tritones are crucial for creating tension and resolution in chord progressions. By using tritones in the left hand, we can create a solid foundation for building upper structure triads in the right hand.
The Magic of TUS: Upper Structure Triads with Tritones
When you combine upper structure triads in the right hand with tritones in the left hand, you create a powerful harmonic tool known as TUS. Here's how you can use TUS to enrich your jazz piano playing:
Choose a Dominant 7th Chord: Start with a dominant 7th chord, like C7. This chord consists of the root (C), major third (E), perfect fifth (G), and minor seventh (Bb).
Play a Tritone in the Left Hand: This would be the 3rd (E) and the 7th (Bb) forming the basis for our TUS.
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