LearnJazzPiano.com archives: fast modal lines

grsbmd -- 03/12/2007, 21:22:22 -- #33748

Lately, I've been transcribing some fast modal lines, kind of like you would hear on "Now He Sings. Now He Sobs".  The only thing I've really found so far is that they are comprised mainly of pentatonics and chromatics. Basically these are the kind of lines you want to bust out with moving quartals in the left hand and they sound really impressive.  I've never really seen this kind of improvisation mentioned in any books.  Does anyone have any more information on this?

7 -- 03/12/2007, 23:22:07 -- #33748

"Jazzology" has a good section on Modal Soloing using notes outside the mode. Much of the chromatics revolve (literally) around figures that I was introduced to as "The Surrounding Note Figure", however in "Jazzology" they refer to them as "Encirclement" and I have also seen the same types of figures referred to as "Enclosure". Basically, you approach your target note from chromatics (or diatonics OR a combination of diatonics and chromatics) from above and below. Examples (target note "D"): Chromatic Eb C# D C# Eb D Diatonic E C D C E D Diatonic / Chromatic Mix E C# D C# E D C Eb D Eb C D Collapsing Figure F B E C Eb C# D Miles Davis was extremely found of using the abovementioned "Collapsing Figure" during his time with Bird and Diz.

smg -- 03/13/2007, 16:06:00 -- #33748

Here's something from a few years ago when I was actively involved over here thats' still online- http://halgalper.com/12_song/roughhouse.pdf (also check out the patterns on these solos) http://www.michaelbreckerliverecordings.com/transcriptions.html Whats' good about the Galper solo is that it's analyzed in terms of pentatonic key centers etc...........

Copyright © 2005 by Scot Ranney. All rights reserved.

Click Here for more information about performances and clinics. Click Here to sign up for Scot's music announcements.