Jazz and Blues basics.
By Barry Vincent
Jazz Harmony is the foundation on which improvisation is built. Generally a tune has a harmonic structure. This is where the key to the door lies when approaching the ' house ' of Jazz. But the jazz musician goes deeper than that. Each harmonic 'room (chord)' has a chord-scale. Often times there are choices and the mastery of modes is a pre-requesite.
What are modes?
Modes are scales. They are based on different degrees of a given Key. Some modes are Aeolian, Phyrgian, Locrian, mixolydian, Lydian etc.
Arpeggios if used expertly are a very important tool for the jazz musician.
Are you more confused than ever now? Understandably so. This only general information; In order to understand the art of jazz improvistaion, more in depth study is neccessary. But you MUST master the basics of your instrument first. It is advisable to take lessons from a reputable teacher. Here you will learn and master the basics....for example 1.The notes. 2. Good technique. 3. Good Fingering etc. Technique depends on what instrument you are learning. Music theory can be applied to all instruments including the human voice.
My former arranging teacher and mentor the late Melba Liston, used to say 'If you want to play jazz, you have to learn the blues.'
The Blues Scale
The blues scale consists of the 1st, 2nd, minor 3rd, major 3rd, perfect 4th, perfect 5th, major 6th and flattened 7th dergees.
Looking at the solfege system that would be do, rah, me, mi, fa, sol, la, te and (lastly), do.
This is applied to any and all keys.
For instance in the key of C major, the scale notes woull be C, D, Eb, E natural, F, G, A, B, C.
In the key of Eb.....the blues scale would be Eb, F, Gb, G natural, Ab, Bb, C, Db, and lastly Eb.
Practice and learn the scale in all keys. Whether you play Guitar, Bass, piano, trumpet, saxaphone or any other instrument, you have to learn scales.
After becoming comfortable with it, now focus on creating melodies and try to hear the colors of the individual notes in the scale. This reqiures time and effort. Keep at it and you will start to reap the benefits. Music can be rewarding in many ways, but you must yearn to learn.
Come back soon for more free harmony and theory tutorials..........
