Thelonious Monk is one of jazz’s most legendary figures. His music is full of unexpected rhythms, quirky melodies, and rich harmonies that give his compositions a sound like no other. One of his most famous pieces, ‘Round Midnight, is a must-know jazz standard. In his solo piano recording of the tune, Monk’s signature style shines through with classic jazz techniques like chord shells, arpeggios, and stride piano. Let’s break down what makes his approach so special.
Chord Shells: The Foundation of Monk’s Left Hand
What Are Chord Shells? Chord shells are a simplified way of playing chords in the left hand, typically consisting of the root and another important chord tone (usually the 3rd or 7th). Instead of playing full, dense chords, chord shells strip them down to their essential parts, making them easier to move around and giving a more open, swinging feel.
Examples of Chord Shells:
- C minor 7 chord shell: C-Bb, C-Eb, C-Eb-Bb, C-G-Bb
- A simple shell could be as basic as C-G
How Does Monk Use Chord Shells in ‘Round Midnight? Monk relies heavily on chord shells in his left hand, often alternating between them and stride patterns. If you look at his transcription, you’ll notice that 4 out of 6 chords in certain measures use chord shells, creating a smooth, foundational structure.
Check out this excerpt showing the exact notes Monk is using in his left hand.
Notice the use of chord shells for 4 of the 6 chords in these measures – simple root-5th-7th, root-7th, and root-3rd-7th structures.
Arpeggios: Monk’s Secret to Melodic Embellishments
What Are Arpeggios? Arpeggios are when the notes of a chord are played one at a time, rather than all at once. Monk loves to use them in his right hand to fill space and add movement to the melody.
How Does Monk Use Arpeggios in ‘Round Midnight? Take a look at measure 4, where Monk plays two ii-V progressions separated by a half step. While his left hand sticks to chord shells, his right hand outlines the chord tones in an ascending pattern and then resolves downward when reaching the dominant 7th chord.
Example:
- On B minor 7, Monk’s right hand plays A (7th), D (3rd), F# (5th), A (7th)
- Then, on E7, he resolves it with G# (3rd) and E (root)
- He repeats this same pattern a half-step down for Bb minor 7 and Eb7
These types of arpeggio patterns are a hallmark of Monk’s style and add a flowing, expressive quality to his playing.
Stride Piano: Monk’s Old-School Groove
What Is Stride? Stride piano is a classic jazz technique where the left hand “strides” back and forth between a low bass note (usually the root) on beat 1 and a chord in the mid-register on beat 2. This creates a bouncing, swinging rhythm that was a hallmark of early jazz pianists like James P. Johnson and Fats Waller.
How Does Monk Use Stride in ‘Round Midnight? Monk showcases his stride piano chops in the bridge of the tune.
- At measure 17, his left hand plays the root on beat 1 and the chord on beat 2
- He keeps this going through the F7 and Bb7 chords in measure 18
- His stride playing is steady, yet unpredictable, with his signature quirky rhythm and timing
Monk’s Signature Dissonance: The #11 Sound
One of the things that makes Monk’s playing so unmistakable is his use of dissonance—notes that clash just enough to create tension and excitement. A great example of this is when he plays the Bb7(#11) chord in the bridge.
Instead of smoothing out the tension, Monk highlights it by placing the sharp 11 (E) right at the top of the voicing. The result? A bold, unmistakable sound that is pure Monk.
Bb7(#11) Voicing:
- Left hand plays Bb (root)
- Right hand plays Ab (7th), D (3rd), E (#11)
- The E is at the top of the voicing, making sure that tension stands out
Final Thoughts
Monk’s solo piano version of ‘Round Midnight is a masterclass in jazz piano technique. His use of chord shells, arpeggios, stride, and dissonance creates a unique sound that every jazz pianist should study.
Want to go even deeper? Check out our full lesson on ‘Round Midnight in our “Standards by the Dozen” series! You’ll get the full transcription, detailed breakdowns, and hands-on practice to help you master Monk’s incredible style. 🎶
