Exploring Maiden Voyage Chords by Herbie Hancock – A Chord Progression with Limitless Opportunities!

Herbie Hancock’s “Maiden Voyage” is a classic jazz tune that many pianists adore for its simple yet sophisticated chord progression. Despite containing only four chords, this piece offers endless possibilities for improvisation and creative expression. Below, you’ll find an in-depth look at these chord shapes, along with jazz theory tips, suggested scales, and improvisation ideas that will help you bring this progression to life on your piano.

1. Overview the Maiden Voyage Chord Progression

The main chord progression in “Maiden Voyage” is comprised of minor seventh chords, each paired with a bass note a fourth up from the chord’s root. This creates the piece’s signature quartal harmony feel. Let’s list these chords in an easy-to-follow format:

Think of these as root position minor seventh chords in your right hand, with the left-hand bass note placed a perfect fourth above the chord’s root. This gives that unique, suspended, and slightly “unresolved” character.

Additionally, the harmonic progression in “Maiden Voyage” stands out because of its modal nature. Unlike traditional functional harmony, this progression feels free-floating, allowing the performer to explore tonal ambiguity and color.

2. Practicing the Basic Chords

Before diving into improvisation, spend time locking in the chord shapes. One efficient way is to practice moving between A minor 7 over D and C minor 7 over F until you feel comfortable, then work on the transitions between B♭ minor 7 over E♭ and A♭ minor 7 over D♭. Repetition and muscle memory are your best friends when mastering these.

Once you can smoothly voice the chords, experiment with arpeggiating them or adding a simple rhythmic pulse. Try the iconic rhythmic motif of “Maiden Voyage,” where the chords are played in a repetitive, meditative fashion to establish a hypnotic groove.

3. Scales and Modes for Improvisation on Maiden Voyage Chords by Herbie Hancock

There are several scale options for improvising over these minor seventh chords. Below are the most common:

• Minor Pentatonic Scale: Over A minor 7, use the A minor pentatonic (A–C–D–E–G). This approach applies similarly to each chord root (e.g., C minor pentatonic over C minor 7). Pentatonic scales are great for creating melodic lines that feel open and airy.
• Dorian Mode: For a “dreamy” jazz feel, use Dorian. Over A minor 7, A Dorian is A–B–C–D–E–F♯–G. You can apply the same principle to each chord, shifting the Dorian mode accordingly (C Dorian over C minor 7, etc.). The raised sixth in Dorian adds a subtle brightness to your lines.
• Blues Scale: While more bluesy, some pianists enjoy adding color by using the minor blues scale (A–C–D–D♯–E–G, for A minor 7). This scale brings a grittier, expressive edge to your improvisation.

A great exercise is to focus on one scale per chord and experiment with moving seamlessly between scales as the chords change. This will build your ability to adapt and flow melodically.

4. Quartal Harmony Voicings (“Shell Voicings”)

One signature sound in modern jazz is quartal harmony. Try stacking perfect fourths in your left hand to free up your right hand for melodic ideas. Here’s an example:


Left Hand (A minor 7 over D): D – G – C – (optional A on top)


This immediately creates a very open sound. Practice moving these stacked fourths for each chord in the progression:

Meanwhile, your right hand can focus on Dorian lines, pentatonic riffs, and other melodic ideas to float above these lush chord textures. For added variation, experiment with rhythmic displacement and syncopation in your left-hand voicings.

5. Advanced Improvisation Techniques for Maiden Voyage Chords by Herbie Hancock

Once you feel confident with the scales and basic voicings, try these advanced techniques:

• Chord Substitution: Replace or embellish minor 7 chords with more complex harmonies, such as minor 11 or minor 13 chords, to add richness.
• Chromatic Passing Tones: Use chromaticism to connect melodic ideas smoothly, particularly when transitioning between chords.
• Motivic Development: Create small, memorable motifs and develop them across the progression by transposing, inverting, or rhythmically altering them.

These techniques will take your improvisation to the next level, allowing you to add personal expression and originality to your interpretation of “Maiden Voyage.”

6. Watch the Full Seminar on YouTube

For an in-depth breakdown and demonstration on how to apply these concepts on the piano, check out our full seminar video:

Watch on YouTube

7. Additional Resources and Cheat Sheet

Want more tips, chord charts, and scale sheets to help you master “Maiden Voyage”? Visit the London Contemporary School of Piano at:
contemporaryschoolofpiano.com
and request our free resources kit. You’ll find detailed explanations for minor seventh chords, 7th chord inversions, jazz chord theory, and scale exercises—perfect for accelerating your jazz piano journey.

Conclusion

With just four chords, “Maiden Voyage” captures a timeless jazz vibe that’s mellow, inviting, and endlessly malleable. By focusing on solid chord voicings, well-chosen scales (like Dorian or pentatonic), and rhythmic freedom, you’ll soon discover how to infuse your own personality into this iconic progression. Now, go forth and improvise freely—you never know where these floating, unresolved harmonies might take you.