The Easy Way to Play Bossa Nova (Helio Alves) 

Martin Rufer this piece is timeless

hi Rachel, referring to Helio's initial demonstration, you could just change a few of his left hand voicings - suggestions: bar 1+2: D-F#-C (bottom to top), bar 3+4: Db-F-B, bar 5: C-F-Bb, bar 6: C-E-Bb, bars 7 thru 15 should be fine, bar 16: D-F-B, bar 17: like bar 1. best Andy

Thanks jazzy outfit, I'll try this.

@Rachel Thomas... my understanding is that it is the rhythm that is key here. Not the need to play the same voices as Helio. My hand cant stretch a 10th either but you will see he sometimes plays 'shell voicings' ie without the root - and I tried this out afterwards - and was able reproduce quite easily a version of the bossa groove he is presenting. The genius of this tip is that it is an authentic piece of brazilian jazz language but utterly simple... the kind of thing everyone could learn easily like say a clave rhythm. And it is really really a great tip that Helio presents, because it is totally from a 'source' player of brazilian music, a real authority, but it is the kind of groove that many more modest players could play. ( ie one needs to adapt the Left hand to voicings that are comfortable for one's own hand and then just play the rhythm). I found the main challenge was to be able to keep the rhythm going in the left hand while playing independently in the right hand ( whether playing the melody or soloing) .. but it is just a great great piece of instructional material.. it is gold dust.. and Helio's whole vibe.. it made me tearful just to come across this and I only recently just discovered his name because on Rosa Passos instagram he is accompanying her on the beautiful composition 'Verao' ... check it out, this beautiful soul vibe coming from such an afflicted modern Brazil.. these musicians are part of the future long term healing and salvation of mankind.. whatever loco happens to be running the country XXX

@@jazzyoutfit6670 Those are incorrect changes though. The first chord is A-6 and the second is Ab°7.

@@agrichmusic Bossa Nova. Try it.

This is the thing that improved my playing x100 and no ones talks about. I wonder if it's overlooked because might be too obvious for them 😜. Bossa Nova is based on guitar, so the less sustain the closer you get to the real thing