Hi Guys,
Today, a quick look at creating colourful and interesting harmonisations of the minor scale.
We will employ the A minor scale for simplicities sake and see where this leads….
EXAMPLE 1:
In this first example, we will stack fourths on top of each other and harmonise A Dorian:
Here, is the outlining chord of Am7add6. Here, we see the Dorian implication by the F# note.
A Dorian as scale:
Now, let’s harmonise the scale with Quartal Dorian Voicings:
EXERCISE 2:
We will now exploit the melodic minor scale:
Once again, we will stack 4th’s together. This creates a cool minor/major harmonic approach.
Am/Maj7 melodic minor implication. Notice the C natural [imply minor]and the F# and G# [imply Major]
A melodic minor scale:
Here, is the chordal harmonisation:
EXAMPLE 3:
In this example we will add a three note voicing to A Dorian. This will be a root with a 2nd and then a 3rd up.
BEWARE: This employs quite wide stretches.
EXERCISE 4:
In this last example, we will harmonise the A natural minor scale.
A natural minor scale:
Once again: BEWARE: There is some stretching.
Conclusion:
This was just a quick look at how to harmonise a scale and what can be done with it.
This, is a great idea for use when stuck in one minor key or on one minor chord, as, this creates colour and movement.
The quartal harmonisation work especially well for syncopated and quick chord movement over a static chord.
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