Probably because they are chord tones. Monk did not just hit notes at random
(although the effect seems like it). He tended to pick what he thought were
the most important tones of a given chord and just played them, not a whole
voicing.
>
>2)What kind of chord voicings did he use? Sometimes what I transcribe
>for his right hand sounds good, but doesn't really make sense (to me). Is
>he
>using a chord voicing that makes the dissonance in the right hand sound
>"right"?
>
> I've been working off of the "Misterioso" album and in particular
>on "All the things you are" and "Well, You Needn't". Getting his
>chord voicings has been tough since 1) I'm not very good at this, and 2)
>I'm a guitarist and am only a mediocre pianist and don't really know the
>stock voicings to start from.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Karl Helmer
I am a guitar player myself, and I think Monk is great to transcribe and
attempt to translate over to guitar. His minimalistic perspective on chord
voicings may lead to some interesting comping ideas.