jazzimproviser – Modern Music Theory Improvisation and Application

Altered Scale Jazz Fusion Guitar/piano unison lick/Line

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Modern Music Theory and Application

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In this riff/line I employ alternate Picking but I start with an upstroke for the first phrase. After that I start the remaining phrases on a down stroke.

Jazz/Fusion altered scale chromatic guitar/piano unison riff

Although this line is D altered in terms of scalic concept it could also be thought of as shifting between D minor, D Dorian and Eb Melodic Minor.

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Fretboard Harmony: Harmonising the Dorian Mode

Posted on February 26, 2020February 27, 2020 by Modern Music Theory and Application

Harmonising the Dorian Mode video: Please watch for explanation:

In the exercises below you will see how to make the dorian mode sound “Jazzy”. We do this by harmonising the scale [Mode] in chords made of 4ths.

Not all are perfect 4ths though as you will see in the example below:

Here is the Dorian mode harmonised in 4ths. This use of 4ths creates what is known as quartal harmony.

C DORIAN MODE HARMONISED IN 4THS [QUARTAL HARMONY]

C DORIAN MODE BROKEN UP INTO 4THS

C DORIAN MODE “CHORDAL PICKING” IN 4THS

For more on the dorian mode, quartal harmony and modal jazz in general take a listen to the great Jazz pianist Mcoy Tyner.

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Which Jazz theory practice book to start with?

Posted on January 21, 2020 by Modern Music Theory and Application

When Looking for jazz improvisation literature people will walk into a sheet music department and sometimes be astounded at the prices of the theory and practice books. A concise quality book that contains all of the essential information and is well written and easy to follow can start anywhere from $30 to $150 plus for the Lydian Chromatic Concept!

So I have whittled it down to 3 books. [I am sure there are some other very well written books out there that is not on my list] but any of these three books will hold you in good stead when you are starting out.

The first 2 books are “Inexpensive” and contain a mountain of material.

BOOK 1: JAZZ SOLOS BY LES WISE. THIS BOOK IS IDEAL FOR GUITARISTS BECAUSE IT HAS TABLATURE

JAZZ SOLOS BY LES WISE

BOOK 2: JAZZOLOGY BY ROBERT RAWLINGS AND NOR EDDINE BAHHA

JAZZOLOGY BY ROBERT RAWLINGS AND NOR EDDINE BAHHA

BOOK3: A BIT MORE EXPENSIVE BUT IT IS A COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA BY MARK LEVINE CALLED “THE JAZZ THEORY BOOK”

MARK LEVINE "THE JAZZ THEORY BOOK"

As I state in the video you can get these books secondhand on Amazon [CLICK LOGO/LINK BELOW] even cheaper or you can try your local library. But, I would suggest owning a copy of one of them in order to pencil in your own thoughts, directions and favourite exercises etc.

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