LearnJazzPiano.com archives: scales or chords when making solo melodies?

petew83 -- 03/09/2007, 12:14:57 -- #33658

When you solo are you thinking scales or chords?  There seems to be a consensus that the older style is chords and the newer method is scales but i'm not an expert on this.  Maybe you do both?

jazzwee -- 03/09/2007, 13:28:43 -- #33658

You have to do both -- or to put it in an alternative lingo, you think of the chord and their extensions (which in effect equals the scale). In Bebop you think of the main chord tones on the dowbeats. So there's where the chord reference comes in. I think whether you think of old way or new way, you always have to be aware of the all of the above. But maybe your question is referring to horizontal improvisation vs. vertical improvisation which is a different approach (although you have the same pool of scale notes).

Jazz+ -- 03/09/2007, 13:31:48 -- #33658

Both! Consider scales as adding the "passing tones" between the "chord tones." Melodicly outline the chords (skips), add some passing tones (scale steps), and even some "chromatic" passing tones.

Jazz+ -- 03/09/2007, 13:35:44 -- #33658

It's not a matter of the old way or new way. It's not a case of out with the old and in with the new. Boths ways of thinking are very useful. If I had to choses only one way, I would think chords. There is nothing more boring than pure scale playing.

Jazz+ -- 03/21/2007, 00:36:20 -- #33658

Anybody?

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