dennis sandole – Modern Music Theory Improvisation and Application

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Hi Guys,

Today, a look at the unique scale formations/superimpositions of Dennis Sandole.

Dennis Sandole

We will take three examples from a handwritten page of polytonal scales by Dennis Sandole and apply them to the guitar:

SCALE 1:

Dennis Sandole’s Handwritten Polytonal Scale:

Same scale applied to the Guitar:

dennis-sandole-polytonal-guitar-scales-blog

In this example notice how the different major scales connect via semitones creating a unique chromatic connection.

Now, let’s apply a descending version with a more pentatonic/fingering guitar format:

Again, notice the half step chromatic connections that make this run smoothly.

SCALE 2:

Dennis Sandole’s Handwritten Polytonal Scale:

Same scale applied to the Guitar:

Here, we have whole tone connections as well as half step connections creating a colourful set of sounds:

Let’s now create a descending version:

SCALE 3:

Dennis Sandole’s Handwritten Polytonal Scale:

Same scale applied to the Guitar:

In this example we have a full C major scale connecting to a full Db major scale via the halfstep of C to Db. And finally, up another half step to the note D.

Finally, let’s descend:

Arpeggio/Motifs from Polytonal Scales:

There are also many concepts that you can make out of these polytonal scales:

For instance, we can imply triads/arpeggios with dyads and create little licks, motifs and hook lines.

EXAMPLE:

Slight Var:

IN CONCLUSION

This was just a very brief look at Dennis Sandole’s concept of polytonal scales.

In terms of the guitar these are very useful for creating a mixed harmonic palette and creating seamless lines where any scale can connect to any other scale regardless of non diatonicism and ambiguity.

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Hi Guys,

In this blog we will have a brief look at scales from a different perspective.

These ideas/concepts mainly come from Dennis Sandole and his development of poly/multiple scales.

This [Guitar] scale lore as an approach is extremely useful for both composition and improvisation.

Before we start let’s get a perspective of the different [Partial] scales we can find embedded within common scales.

Below, we have the B Altered scale. Notice that half of it contains a Whole tone scale whilst the other half contains a Diminished scale: This creates its exotic beauty.

Next let’s look at the Diminished scale: Here we find two Mixolydian Tetrachords. The first with [C] as the root and the second with [F#] a tritone away.

Next, we will create a “Never ending” scale with Tetrachords and you will see how easy it is to be creative with a basic scale cell.

Dennis Sandole Polytonal scales for SCALE LORE Music Theory TETRACHORDS INTERWEAVING

From the above example notice the Lydian movement that is created in the cycle of 5ths:

SCALE LORE:

PolyScales and Bi-Tonal Scales:

Below we have an example of “Blending” scales. Notice how the scale connects with semitones [in blue circles] and the movement follows that of Sandoles student John Coltrane.