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Messiaen, Fripp, Mclaughlin, Schoenberg, 21st century harmonic concepts

In this blog we will look at improvising over one chord. This will be D minor [D Dorian].

The key is to use chromaticism, tertian harmony, superimposition and outside harmonic content in order to create interesting improvised lines and move away from the cliches of scales and modes to create originality.

For example:

The key for smoothness is to be aware of where the 1/2 steps [Semitones]are in the “Connections”.

If we look below we can see where the 1/2 steps connect and how to play off of the tonic note with this. In this case we play off of the tonic D note resolving straight into the Eb note for Eb melodic minor. We can then resolve down a half step to C#m and back down into D Dorian

Fripp ,Brecker, Mclaughlin chromatic Improvising method for jazz fusion improvisation

Chromatic jazz improvisation Brecker, Mclaughlin and creative Fripp improvising concepts

So as you can see it is easy to weave in and out of the harmony and get back to D Dorian via the 1/2 step.

Below is a line that beautifully weaves in and out of D minor

In this next example we will use tertian harmony and exploit superimposition. We will employ D melodic minor and and keep extending via C melodic minor.

Now we will extend the whole line:

As another idea, there are still useful concepts like “Target Tones”. These can be manipulated without resorting to cliches.

Lastly we will exploit the use flat 5 concepts. In this case there is an Abmaj7/D and a Cmaj7/F# with which we can be creative.

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Michael Brecker Outside Playing Chromatic Jazz Breakdown Lesson/Example

Breaking down Michael Brecker!

When looking at musical notation it can seem like random notes. But if we break down each group into 4 note groupings called “Tetrachords” or “CELLS” we can break down the music theory and play each group on our instrument.

We can then remember the “Sound and Shape” of each cell and then join them together. In turn we can then apply these cells to our own instrumental playing/improvisations.

[For the advanced improviser you could break this into “Hexachords”, but for this lesson we will apply 4 note cells].

FULL SOLO LINE/PHRASE

Jazz improvisation Michael Brecker Lesson — Michael Brecker Outside Playing Chromatic Jazz Breakdown Lesson/Example

1st Grouping of 4 notes [Tetrachord]=E flat Pentatonic shapE [F Mixolydian]

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jazz, cells, tetrachords, Lesson — Michael Brecker Outside Playing Chromatic Jazz Breakdown Lesson/Example

2nd Tetrachord=A flat Minor triad and 4th interval [or #11 #9 and #5] THE

3rd Tetrachord=Minor scale fragment with #11 added

4th Tetrachord=Changing cell. [From flat 9 to C melodic minor]

5th Tetrachord=C Lydian [Major].

6th Tetrachord =D major Pentatonic shape [ C LYDIAN leaning AGAIN]

7th Tetrachord=C minor arpeggio and 4th TO F TONIC NOTE

8th Tetrachord=F MAJOR SCALE FRAGMENT

9th Tetrachord=F LYDIAN [FLAT 7]

10th Tetrachord = VERY OUTSIDE. F SHARP 9

Lastly= Flat 6 for C minor

Michael Brecker Outside Jazz Line Brecker “Outside” Lick pdf Download

CONCLUSION:

In terms of fingering and musical application on our instruments learning shapes and “Connections” and breaking phrases down into 4 note cells [Tetrachords] is really useful because complex lines can be understood and learnt quickly.

In turn this gives us lots of patterns for improvisation and theoretical knowledge to improvise with as opposed to just playing scales and arpeggios.

If you found this easy then try and break this solo down into“Hexatonic” scale application. You might find it really interesting!

MICHAEL BRECKER #2

CHROMATICS AND CELL [TETRACHORD] REPLICATION

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Played 8va

To begin with we have a bit of standard Be Bop chromaticism

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BUT!

If we look further we can see that we have an exact replicated cell that descends in minor 3rds weaving in and out of the harmony.

4 note cell

2 four note cells descending in minor 3rds replicated

We can now look at the whole line and see and hear where the descending replicated cells in minor 3rds start and how they serve their purpose.

Brecker Replicated Cells “Outside” Lick Brecker “REPLICATED CELLS DPF Download

Tag: chromatic jazz modern improv guitar