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Howard Roberts Chord Melody
Howard Roberts Chord Melody
My objective in writing this collection of studies is to outline some chordal techniquesthat have practical application in contemporary styles of guitar playing, value in fingerboardexploration and the development of a senseof musical coherence. I have chosen to do this through example rather than a discussion harmonic theory with a of view that a lot is to be learnedsimply by producing the soundsunder our fingersand in our ears. Many guitarists accumulatea large repertoire "guitar of chords" which, in themselves, are pleasant sounding and, perhaps, well suited to rhythm playing and variousaccompaniments. But a repertoire of "isolated" chords may remain in the players mind as disconnectedchunks of harmony, not easily applied to chord melody playing. The main academicpoint of this book is the resolution of this problem. One improves his musical and instrumental techniquesby acceptingthe challenge more and of more difficult material. Therefore,the examplesin this book have been developed, not for their simplicity, but for their direct usefulness conin temporary music thereby representing someof the facets of advancedgtritar playing. ln view of this, I believe the reader is embarking on an adventure both musicallyand personallyrewarding.
CONTEI\TS
FINGERINGS CHORDMELODYDEVICES
Example
I
,1
5
. . . , ) 6 6 l
3
A t .
6
1 t
.
8
0
CloseBlock Voicings Open Voicings . ParallelMotion ContraryMotion . CounterLines CommorrTones Block Chords Sustained Chord Background Short Chord Punctuations
-7
. . . .
8 8 9 l0 l l l l l:
CHORDMELODYSTUDIES Example
1 0 l, r , 1 2
3,l4 5 ,l 6 1 8 ,1 9 20, 2 l 22
z5
L-
l3
t 1 t a
1A
)\ )'7 to 3l
26 28 30
l5 I (', lIE l9
33
5+
,c)
3 5 ,3 6 .3 7
38
PROJECT STUDIES Example 39,40,41. Instruction 42.43.44. Proiects 45. 46. Solution 4 7 , 4 8 , 4 9 . Projects 50,51 Solutions 5 2 , 5 3 ,5 4 . Projects 5 5 ,5 6 ,5 7 , 58 5 9 ,6 0 ,6 1 , Solutions 62,63,64 65 CHORDMELODYSOLO
.+0 +l
+(r
FINGERINGS
While it is true that the same chord voicings can often be played on two or three dift'erentsets of strings,it is seldom possibleto do so without some change of the fingering. ln evaluating the feasibility of a change, first consider musical quality and mechanical efficiency : a. As a rule. the musical quality can be etrhance by choosrng fingering a sct d a or of strings in which the greater string lcrrgthis nraintained, thus permittingthe stringsto "sing" and sustain longer. b, Meclianical c-fficiency primarily a matis ter of' er,oicling unnecessary awkward or harrd or fingr.r movements. However,in developinua senseof mechanicaleffi_ clcncy. tlo not also develop a tear of radical jurltr-rsor large intcrvals on the fingerboard. for these techniques are frequcntll rcquired. For example,radical intcrval jLrrrps may supply a nice coutrastto srnoothscalc-wise move_ line ment. String numbe inciicete rs the lower note of the chord and are in circlcsunder the staff. Fingering numbers are placed to thc lcft of the notes.The thumb is frequently usccl throughout the studies and is indicated(T).
Examples I through 9 demonstratesome structural devicesbasic to contemporary stylesof chord melody playing. As you become acquaintedwith these devicesyou will observetheir practical application through the studiesforming the main body of this book. Take plenty of time working through thesestudiesas the techniques are highly concentrated.In order to better retain what you learn here, you should make a direct effort to put these'devices'to practicaluseon a daily basis.
Basicallythere are two conceptsof harmony: (1) Its vertical structure which is nothing more than the stackingof notes into chords.Naturally, theseare played simultaneously. Its horizontal movement which involvesthe way one chord progresses another. to
(2)
VERTICAL structuresare usually expressed one of two basicvoicings: in Example 1, CloseBlock Voicingsin which the notes are packedcloselytogether.
Ex. I
Thesevoicingscan also be played on the inside strings (5th, 4th, 3rd and secondstrings).
Ex.2
F m m flH HT
ffiGnal fl-HlA,"z
6n?
Gm1
Closed voiced chords can be opened up as far as your reach will permit, simply by movilg one or more chordal tones up or down an octave.
HORIZONTAL movement. The melody lines formed by each of the chordal tones is the most important single factor linking one chord to another. In four part harmony, for example, one is really dealing with four separatemelody lines' It naturally follows that there would be as many Inkage possibilitiesas melodies: a study of this question in its entire scope comes under the headingsof voice leading, harmony and linear counterpoint (see Shaping Forces o.f Music, Ernest Toch). The following example demonstratessome of the primary melodic aspectsof chord connections.
Example3' PARALLEL MorIoN, a chord progression in which each tone is movingthe samenumber of scalestepsand in the samedirection.
Ex. 3
ffi eo Pu,c't
ffifl
D'?
at3
w't crg
Example4. CONTRARY MOTION is, as the word implies,a situationin which the chordal tones are movingin opposite directions. Example showsthe upperand lower linesin contrary 4 motion.
Ex. 4
TE
bffl
,rlzffi Gnn
Through experimentation with paralleland contrary motion one can invent somepassages considerable of interest to both player and listener.Such passages often quite useful as fingeringexercises for arrivine are and at a better understanding the fingerboard general. of in Example5. COUNTERLINES are usuallytreatedas a melodicaccompaniment the main body of to a tune. They are also usedas connecting lines from one chord to anotherand, on guitar,are frequentlyfound in the secondvoice from the top. When the main melody has little motion, the counterline can be more active.Example5 showsthe counterline (with stems on the 3rd string. up)
Ex. 5
:r rSrln
H+++t
ffi
I-H+H
ffi
(%A1
I
@
A counter line may be higher or lower in pitch than the main melody, or placed somewhereinside the chord as in Example5, or the bass line itself may sometimesbe treated as a counter line. Further, any choice of melodicintervalscan be used to develop a counter line.
Example A COMMON 6. TONE is a note that is relatedto, and sustainedthrough, a sequence chords of playedin succession. Example showsthe common tone on too. 6
Ex. 6
rtr^ m m +]-+t] [Lu.] l-.t4+.t-l ulJj-] ffiffi ffi.D.r ffioUo ffioh"'r ffiE/bs
!t {TTTTI
ffi
l t t r l l
ffi1-fi nffH #
l r | |
rrrrn
*^a"
Example 7. BLOCK CHORDS. Here is a rudimentary, yct eft'ectiveway of producing melody and harmotry simultaneously. This is done by placing a full chord underneath each melody note. The chordscan be either close or open voicings.You rnight experimentwith picking techniques here: For example,all dowl strokes,or alternatc down and up strokes,or plucking all stringssimultaneously with fingers. Note: The Gm7 in bar 3 is being usedas a substitute for Eb mai 9.
Ex. 7
Itr
Itr
ffi
rTln] ilaatl
ilil|
!. u-t-l-tl
L+-t-Ll-.]
l a tI t l r-t-Ffi-t
f f i f f i
u,
rtrrn t-+++.1-1 H+++{ H-t1+l ffrfl-l ffi nnn ?r{l D2* tine ri 6oa) EV^*q
lrr
?oo R,ft
The block chord eff'ect is best achievedwhen thc chordal tones are made to move when the rnelocl-v 1ro\'!'\. atrd preferably in the same direction as the melody. Often tlie melody can be fingered casily without hlripg to change the chord form, but this tends to destroy the block chord effect; therefore it is more clesirrrlrlc tir changethe voicing or inversionwith each new melody note. in order to createthe eff-ect all lirresnro\lng of at once.
Example B. SUSTAINED CHORD BACKGROUND is a modification of the block chord stylc. in rh.ir one chord is sustainedthroueh two or more melodv notes.
Ex. 8
ffi
It [rrrn
ffiTF |#
i t l ? t l ,l
ffi
$ffi
bvb
rnrn
ffrrn
, | | |
|'..{'...+ l | | l l
l.+1++l nrrn
ffi
m-n
t a t l fl
gII'
f+++il
ffi
E-r |.T55n
mx ffnn
v @
ngq
6hrn1
??w
?h"fc
NOTE
Whett a chord is sustainedthroughout a long seqLrcnce melody notes. tingr'ringrcquircnrcnt:tr.'t1.,of m a k c i t n e c e s s a r t o d r o p o n e o r m o r e o f t h c c h o r d a l t o n c s i n o r d e r t o r n a n i p u l l t et h c n r c i o c i r .I i , , . y especiallytrue in improvisingwith the alorernentioned common guitar voicingswhen thc voiec ltltl iirr : not beett fully worked ottt. Howevcr.if each chordal tone is sustaincd for as long as possiirle. , tltc li\r..n..r' r"rstrally rememberthose lrotesthat havc been droltped.
Exarnple9. SHORT CHORD PUNCTUATIONS. Becausc thc listcncr'sability to reme of mber the sorrn of harmony. it is possible to outline tlic llow of harmony by short chorci pr-rr-rctuations. Thesc can be usc without sacrilicirrg harmoniccontinuity, whcn they are playcd with atrthority ancllppropriately placecl witltir the bar. This cor-rtinuitycan be lurther rcinfbrced by choosrrrg mcloclies rvhich ernphasize chordal tones.
Ex. 9
a t t t l l nfrtl
Itr
Ea
t t I t a l Ffi-TH
rirn
It
a tt a t l
ltfrn
fffffl
It
trl=n
l i t t l l
ffi
rrrrn >
F H+ifl
rtn-n
H+t+t nrrn
iHtft rfffl-1
|'.# l t t t a l
nrffl
IA (l
Bb''-
ffi
0'
5-tTfl F+i-+-H
s0
lTn]
t t a a t l
t+++-l ++-l-+-.t
l l l l l l
Ydr
l0
Ex. l0
#-
ttalI
i l I t a l F+-t-+-Ft
s,_ ?+t#l
H-l-t+ t-fH+l
fffff1 er'n4
F{-H
ttaf tl
ffi
nwl_
g.?.I.t!J
H.H-H
[Hfl
E)ort
rnrn
*frrffil ffi
atItaa
s-
tf+N.l
fr*vs
*5
ffil
ffiT t-+-.t-.t-J-.1
fTlfFl
ftbna'l
Gm1
Ex.l1
i t ? t t l
ffirn
I
'ffi
i l ?tIl l-# l a t ? t l
s.,,
ffftfl
rfi-fi-l
i l l l t i v '
lFfrct
Ex.12
? tft | l
s_
fu-1t-l
/ I I t a l
l.Frfn l#
E^ |-|-ITr]
ffi
rrnTl
ttt?|
m]l4
rFFFN
ffnn
eV'svq HJ+H
l1
Examplc 13 illustratesclosc voicings.very effectivebrrt uot too often used,on the guitar.Thesecan bc nsccl as tcxturc contrast to the big sor.tnd open voicings.Notc: T h c G 6 i n b a r 3 is lirnctioning as u of dominant chord (Eb + 7b9).
Ex. 13
ffi
[H
r-H[ ffrTtl
Bb" q
ffirt fffifi
ovw
ffi
E,,,
'fr* rlTm
ht.b
][
Itr,
Iil
| | l t f l
Nnal
[fli W"t
Hffi ffi
6to
mx
ila
In Examplc 14. cach line is deccndirtgitr cc'rnsccrrtiveholr-'-stc1-r. n Iillf-step seqlleuces (symrnetrica diminishcdscales). One linc ntoving whole-step. halt'-stcp. rvhilc lnothcr iinc is nrgvilg lalt--step. whole-step producingthe chord changes the symbolsincliclte. as
Ex. 14
TTFFPI
t i | l t l
ffit
tu
ITTII
h^a1
i t t t a a l-Hl
gn4
f^o
f1ttfi nnF
rfl-fh
uJ-+-1..1 l t t t t ,
ffi
FFFfN
xx
ll
Example 15. This is a simple harmonization of the C (diatonic) scalewith some isolatedchromaticisnr. The Eo and Dbo chords are both functioning as 1^7b9,and are being used to provide s o m ec h r o m r t i er c l i c l from the monotony of diatonic lines. It is good ear training to improvise this sort of t h i n g i n a l l k e y s .u i t h various diatonic melodies.
Ex. 15
ffi ffi
gto
D't
ffi
Qnfl
ffi
ffnn
ga
s. rnTn
Dma
{fifil loo
rtr
Itr
||tlta ffi | | l | l r
3m?
G'8.
Dnn 0n1
!rr
fr
H-t-t+1
ffi
Example 16 illustrates(1) exaggerated chromaticismand (2) the gradualaddition of notes (in eonrrurr motion) to expand the voicingswithout opening them. Note: the spellingof the chord symbolsin Errnrfl: l6 is lessimportant than the voice leadingwhich createsthem. Accordingly,symbol identificationof the.r "sounds") chords (more properly is awkward and unnecessary, Their functional or Roman NLrnrcr.identification(i.e. ll1, Vl. etc.) depends upon analysis thc entire phrasein which the chordsoccgr. of
Ex. 16
l3
Example 17. A fingering exercisein short chord punctuations using a Cycle of 5ths with #9 chords. Ex. 17
e*q
'--:\ F?*1
dfi*q
Ab?*q
Example 18. A fingering exercisefor running diminished chords acrossthe strings.Make a specialeffort to sustaineach chord for its full time value.
Ex. 18
ffi
Example 19 is a fingering exercisefor running augmentedtriads acrossthe strings.Play this in r \3rier! of keys up and down the fingerboard.Sustain each chordal tone for as long as possible.In generll. r6i. means to keep your fingers in place until it's absolutely necessaryto move them. This will contribur... measurablyto the continuity of your chord melodl, style.
X.
Ex. 19
H#
ffi
9+
ffi
ffi
l5
Itr
ffi
mm
]E
drfi
Example 20' Short Chord pttnctltatiotrs with chords clcscenclirrg paralkl iu ntinor thirds. This typc t, passage can be very effectivc whctl playcclf'ast. Notc thc use o1'thc right hanclin ailclingthc buss1o1eut tlt. end. Ex. 20
Ot*q
eilq
,FF;. rrfiit
I t t ? | |
rrFrn
t++#
ffi l l l l l t |#-{-{-{
llftii
-+-fir
l # tt I
TIn
'
. l l l l l j l - \
Co-01/'-L--
al
@
E x a n t p l c 2 1 . A s t r e t c h i r l ge x e r c i s ew i t l i s t a t i c i n t c r i o l r o i t f i l n r l ( ) r , l t . rv o i c c s i n c o n t l l r v r n o t i o n .
E x .2 l
T'T
f ll-
$tH6'q HtH
tlt_l1_i | | l
itttt
ul-tl] L l l :r I
t t t t t !
Fl-ITn Trn-n
-F -F | rrrrr F t|
l -
IIIl i l
rTfn
$,,
|l-fffi
rrnF
nn-h
ell
t -
gYh
2 b t
F;q
wure
16
p t o c c l t a i n s t y l e s o f r h - v t h n r l a y i n g .T h i s ' t L r . . i ,t ,\
Ex.22
rmiiffiffiffi
ITITN
F .g
F ev&"
IIi,
{TTTN
X.
ft11tl
i l | l l
bb
i a
Yfi
S.nn
Itr
ffi ov Aob
I
[ItE
ffiil Frffi1
gfro
t t t a t l
3F riTm aIatl
Itr,
Frm-1
mil rffffi
r
6V" F1
61
tl
Example 23. The use of two notes to create the overall effect o t ' h a r m o n y h a s b e e n r e l a t i v c l , . unexplored in guitar playing. particularly in inrprovisation,and could, w i t h p r a c t i c e .m a k e a v a l u a b l , contribution to the versatility of one's stylc..Example23 utilizesthis devicein the basic l 2 bar blues.
8x.23
c1
itfifi
Abts G's
l8
Example 24.
"Full"
Ex.24
ffFFfl
[I-rfr]
IE
ftfff+
MT ffnFl
dq
Cm?
4
TFI-TN #H
m
fffffi
ffi
IE
t+.1+.1-.t
IItaaa
|# |# t t a l a l t a l a t l
TTITN FM ffffi
III,
Httr
etrA'7
l | | l | l
ffi-rn l#
Frffh
f-t'ftfl
l||ilr
rffil
Fnel
.Jto \f
U"?
#^, 4
?rn'l
II t-ft-fR
rrrml
MH
ffi
mm
ffitr
7 . 9
Fnl
Itr fi-t-iTt
$^n
||tttl
g. t-T-ITti
H+1+l rrrrn
rrrrn
ffffn
ff,
dq Aq A,e 2
ffiffi |#
ffi
U]J]J
l+tfil
l l l l l l
ffi
:E II-TTN
l-l]-l-+..1
P^n
H+i# ffffn
| | l l t l
l t t a a l l..#
I I taaI l-+-FtiH
[TI-N
Itr
t-t-t-ff1
Itr.
rffffi
lmT
flTTR
}#
rrrfn
t-l-{-l+ l t t t l
rlll?l
nrn-l
19
Example 25 offers exercises three areas:Contrary motion, parallelmotion in and expandedvoicinss. 8x.25
ffiffiffiffi
ffi
ffiH
I
'*w
Hff, Hltr
wrf
Itr
rt[.
Httll Hffi
F+
r l l L
t-ftrfl
H++ll
e+tl
) ^
g$V5 4
s?gfi-: t / l
Example 26 is a study in parallel motion with the melody doubled on the bottom. This entire phrase could also be played over a G minor chord.
Ex.26 II qTl-fr
ffi rnfi
|.l.#t laf| | |
ffi
TI
ffiffi u-j-.t+
[tffi
H+H ffiff1
Dt
[m fffi
It
i.]=# I t a r aI
m-rn rrffn
IIII,
t-t-l-{-+-.] l i l | t
rfl-ffl
rlilll
) =qz G^
de' A"0b
1\
.Yft'\
e bV Ar,
20
Example 27. Another version of the band type block chord style.
Ex.27
ffiffiffi
ffiffiffi
t++++] t-fffH
ffffH
t t a t a l }++\ar+]
-*-
rffrF1
^1-bbo
lE lrl-fn
|'.#
l t a t t t
fft-tt1
l]Im gj+fl
ffilt Fnff:
rrffF
II
t a t , a l
F1
Htt
enq
m1
]II
:E
ffiil
ffifl
[ffi ffit|l
ffi
IE
FI+H ffrtn
Hfifl G6
t-ft-ffi
fFm
ffi
FFFTN
t+ljt-l
t+Jl-u
rrrrn
l#
eblh t l l
Htt
ITP111
fiIf,
trFFF rrrFr
i l aatl
rrnn
d,
Example 28. Very close (tight) voicings in parallel motion. Note: the 9th of the chord voiced on tht bottom next to the 3rd. This voicing can also be played nicely on the inside strings. Ex. 28
ffiH H-t-Ht
Cn?
1\O
vfi'
ffi
ffnn V*q
21
Example 29. Counter line accompaniment, The chords occllr aft 'r the initial melody note. Slrstainthe first note of each bar as long as possible.
Ex.29
gtr
t-l-IT| rrHfl hffiff1
][t
ffi
t-fT]T]
l l l l i l
ffHtl
H+1+l
ffi-ffi
#
H+l]
I|ITN
l i l t i l
Y;
F?bq
2
4 ,t tJ1!
;!*
&'w
ml-lTl--
Example 30 has the same melody as E,xample7 ancl r l t t t t o r . t s t t L : l r t o t l t e r . n \\'av to approachthe final chord via chords voiccd in Fourths ascending chrontaticallr,.
Ex. 30
I'
|?rrl I
Tr.
l?..la
g
rrrlTl
TtiTn
v]]T
nm
l | i l t ffi t t t t t l
Poco R r r
') -)
The following three pieces,Examples31, 32 and 33, are structurallyand harmonicallyfairly sintplci.ut dentonstrate some ways to gcneratecolor and variety without destroyingthe basic simplicity of th.'ttrnr open and closedvoicings. Look for short chord punctuations,
Ex.3l
--E-l il tar
ffiH
l-+++.1-.1
rfrrn
ffiA"
7
I
9^Q-
9r9
: : oTrt-17
+ =:;Fir-.2ry
A.9
7 I
T4
7 I
+\ - - l
I
T.
7
I
l+-l-ffl nftt1
l#
TrrrSl
l.l-.{-.B t a aI | |
!L
*"q
t a a | |l
f
1 a
rr
Ex.3l (cont'dl
TTTTFI l\]fr1
llt
bJs,x+
ffi g
? t i l t i
ffi
TFITN |#
t-ffi l-t-+-+-l-.]
l | | t i t
ffl-t-H
I | | I aa
Gb+t*q epkq
H.i1+1 rrn-l
rl"r-ftl f+f1{
|.]-{-#
]E
f , l t al
frTlt1
[TI-N
$t
ffi-rh
[Hl
Yf,e:r*'!'l{+=
>r a "
tittfl rrrm
t ?I ? t I t-Ft-FFt
ffiil 4++u
x.
.+!
lL
vTrr
@
0^'l
@rc
hn'?
o-r- ---=
+ |
-]r J
rrm ?I
?/ --:t-...-__...=g , oW\__
:A
1/ --1
illftI
fr rrrrn m+ tffffl
eV
ataat I
H+111 nnn
**
+Hil
-.s-
s zYrl'Y--T'
@r
H4i+t tt |?| |
H+++i
ftf1t1
MT
ev
Ab? EV
3 -t-\-'
1zzTTt=
t./ L_l
hV
f,c
Ab1
q|.ffi7
@V L-J
QItftl
,^A
q -
Ab,t
tu*
b t
H-1]+ LLLLIJ
ffirFn r-FF+fl
r r ft.f-_-Ta?--?
r
-:-'--t---t---q-t-
l-s
W e, b't
W1
qzg4TT
( LrJ
qzWT(
r H
-'Tr+?"nT
( r-
TP
Ab1
ar. O,s. eom
T (zf.___._,f -
D1
6/?
vfl
r f @
@tV6?
V"
4
0brg
w9o-^G
zoC
wt,
F'3
Ex. 33 (cont'd)
ffi! t+lu]
FFFffi
ffi
ll.t+f.l
Ab13
gbg4 A"p
, f--
Abr
i -r---
_ 6$l
i-tt+u
m"
, 7
I
FTFffi
|#
FFFFF
|.lJ-l-JJ
Dts
Examples 34 and 35 have, in contrast to Examples 31,32 and 33, relatively rich harmonies.This i: d1.' to the addition of extensions. i.e. +5, +9, etc. You will also observethat notes other than the roor rr: frequently used to form the bass line. Thesehelp to produce harmonic textures presentin some of the mor: recent jazz forms. In this example, make a specialeffort to sustainas many of the chordal tones as possib,le
Ex. 34
fr
tat?ll
Llt-fil
,*ar7rI
As,
-f\.
l l
ffiu"
f11+t1
ffirfi
ffi
ffftt1 rfffh
Ff
ffiD'oo(e)
sffil
1#+N
Itt?? rrrrnl
F+-t-+iF{
fi,,
,T[,,
wtrF
29
HM
mx
stl
t-+-{-.I-+-l
Ex. 34 (cont'd)
fRTT
t-t-l+lt Fffrfi
%ffi
ffi
ffi [ffi
RTM
t+..|+.1
H{$+l
ffiFfJ A \ O ( s t -
IJJ+#f) ,
trFFF
|.#
HH
t+{Jll
*,o4D
Ir r,-,.-,
@
Example 35 shows the primary progressionconsistingof G6, Am7, Bm7, Cmaj 7 (one chorcl l.rcrl..,rr being connectedby the passing chordsG#m7+5, A m 7 + 5 . e t c . Ex. 35
trrm
ffi
a l t t a l
[ffi ffrffl
G6
uJ]+
FFFfN
,tfatl
rrTTI
fftlfi
_l
ffiff1
FFFFFT f-t-tffl
f | | i a l
ffi I taa I
-w'
l-ftfH
rTFff1
ffi
Aoa
t-fft-ti
ifttti
ffffh t-FFt-t-j
rrrm
6^c*
Af",*S
bJ+s et"1Vr
4
(nn'7
Example 36 is the same chord progression being connected by passingtones (forming .r ir.rl1 c o u n t e rl i n e ) a n d a l t e r i n g the chord symbols as indicated Gmaj7, 4*(maj 7), etc.
Ex. 36
FFM
ffi
? I I I ' I
rFFTI ffffr
|rrtn Gb
f+11-i.t
Gna1
At'f
Ar(t^E
Qne')
?'V
,&
2,7
t+ @
Example 37 shows further developmentof a counter line resultingfrom the extensignol rftc 1..i..1... tones into a more melodic pattern.
Ex. 37
ob
A^1
$.'z
Cnfi
J I
E,xample38 is a chord melody solo embodyingthe structuraldevices outlined up to this point. Look f'or vertical textures,contrary motion. parallelmotion, connter lincs, block chords,sustained chord backgrounds and short chord punctuations. Ex. 38
F+<l-+-H
fffr" rrrrH
I
ffi
Ittt | |
ffi d'rqus
mnTl
ffiffi --b_.-dtq'
rlt+flH#N
; l t t t t , l t l t t |# Lt*-l-*.I
iT-ffi
rrrr-n
l l l l
to t{dttl
l l
nnn
F + - t - + - F l I ll lll
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-a
ffii b2
mm
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t-ft-t-fi
l-{-.H
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7
nnn Ab'r
nffru
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@
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Ex. 38 (cont'd)
,ffi
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4l rr--:.
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fftttl Ffft-
ff++il
ftfifl
FFFF
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tllilt rft+1.1.1
rrm tuJu
t t t t fl
ffi
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mm
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fi1-rfi
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Ex. 38 (cont'd)
ffin ffiffi
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st
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With few exceptiorrs,it is possible to find a common. garden variety chord voicing for the guitar (of the type found in many chord eucyclopedias) that can be fingered to include all possible notes that may appearin the melody. It is obvious that if the melody note is placedtoo low ou thc staff, you will not have enough strings left to form a satisfactory chord beneath it. Therefore. you will often find it both helpful and to r-leccssilry transposethe melody up an octave (this is callcd "jumping octaves") severaltimes throughout the courseof a solo. With experic'nce and finesse. this carl be done without losir,g nreloclie continlrity. lt is possiblchoweverto play a lon rcgisterscaleor melody (as low as the 4th string blrt no lower) with some fragment of the chorclbtncath. Erarnples39, 40 and 41 show a rnelodyline u'rittcn high enough to play full chord voicings bencath. and briefly explore the problem of fincling chord fingerings that will accommodate various melodic possibilities. These examples 'G' shou, a diatonic scaleharmonizedwith the II, V lnd I chords, the three basic chord types fotrnd in diatonic harmony. Note: the addition of M etc., only tirc c\t!'nsions aj.Jth,6th,9th, affcct the color and texture of the chord and do not charrge its scale ftrnction or its role in the
prOgrr-SSloll.
36
ffiffi
Ex. 40
t-H+tl nrfl-l 4+
tsr
4
ffi
rTNfi *-6-
'ffi..,
ililil
--s-
--E-. l-uJl
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Ex. 41
ffir ffiffi
ffi
ft
Example 42. Using the indicated chord, find a suitable fingering with which to harmonize the melodr Refer to Examples 3 9 , 4 0 a n d 4 1 .
8x.42
Example 43. Now, as in Example 42 above.harmonize the melody to fit the chord symbolsindicated. 'A' in bar l br.rtdo not changethe melody. transpositionto the key of making the necessary
Ex. 43
gr{
Hfn
n n
Dq
Example 44. Any chromatic note within finger nlnge eln llrvays be harmonized with a given chord form, although it mav occasionallvbe dissonant.
Ex.44
Fnal
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H+1+t f-fl-ffl
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Example 45. Experiment finding chord voicings of Gm7 that can be chromatic tones.
Ex. 45
i
r l
lbL1-
Ex.46
ffirF
F{-}-f*{
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a t a l l l
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ffffn ffffn
l l l l l l
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39
Examples 47, 48 and 49 consist of the same melody with major, dominant and minor chordsdescenciin chromatically. ln each case the melody and the harmony have their own force and are independentof cu.l, See other. Note the interestine extensionsthat occur as a result of this independence. A maj. 7 in bar 3. ct.
F.x.47
Dmn?Sme?
Qnn't Brea
Gbne't
Ex. 48
$},3 Ara
hbtr Gt7
Ghts ? t ?
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f.]
F;x.49
hrt
hb,q
6*
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G^1
ds^q
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Example 50 consistsof the same melody as in Examples47, 48 and 49 and demonstrates one set of voicingsof ntajor 7 chords ascending chormatically.
Ex. 50
il lfal
NTFfi ffttf1 l#
,,s,,
tl
Itiltlr l l l !
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t a t t l a
f f ii f f fi if ff fii r f ff if i f f f
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Ex.51
il ttal
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mm
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-$= ffi *ff" -r- fr uJ-t-ll H++N t+++t-l t+++11H++{] ffiil IHT H++H rffil +Hfl H+1fl t{++fl ul-lJ.l I-Fi-FH i-H+fl ffi-rl TFFN ffffn
ffi
rft
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4l
Examples 52,53,54, 55, 56,57 and 58 are short fragmentsconstructed simulatestandardpop tunes. to Here the examples are presentedin lead sheet form showing only the melody and chord symbols. Using the devices previously explored in this book, develop chord melody solos for each of these examples,keeping them as simple as possible.Concentrate mainly on finding chord voicings that sound good to you and still permit the melody to be played. You may then compare your choice of voicings to those found, respectively i n E x a m p l e s 9 , 6 0 , 6 7 , 6 2 , 6 3 , 6 4 a n d 6 5 . S e eP a g e 6 . 5 4
Ex.52
flbq
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Ex. 53
tn
6v7
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42
Ex. 54
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6*{? g
tx. 55
Ex. 56
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Ex. 57
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Ex. 58
evcw
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eq G'b lbra)
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Abmrz
Ab,^7
l
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a n d 6 5 o f f e r s o m e o f t h e p o s s i b i l i t i efs r h a r m o n i z i l gE x a m p l e s5 2 o
Ex. 59
ffiffi
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t r I I t r E L g
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Ex. 60
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il?atl ff-rr-
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rfit rrFn
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Ex.61
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ffi
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t l a | l |#
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ffiil
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ffil
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g [5[fn rFilTI ffffi ffffH
ffi
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ffi
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f t t a t l
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l+
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t-l++4-l
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8x.64
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II
eq
Ex. 64 (cont'd)
ffi
b'l
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il ilft
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rrffn
[ffi rfttfl
fftffl
s,
ffi
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Ex. 65
F{+H
ffi ffiil
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t l a a t l
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ffi
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drbq
ffi
ffifi H++H
Abn*1
ffrffr C1.g
f1-l-l-tl
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r
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f f i f f i ''
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ffiil rrrrn
ftffi F,,'.'l
it+t+t
fu ffiffi H+tf
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t r f f r l lil l l
ryT
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ffTtn
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llllll
tffi" ilffi
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ffiffi Ab^.
il-]+il tttt-l-l
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ffin
O C 3 + O
Example 66 is a chord melody solo basedon a standardcliord progression and includesthe structural devicespresentedthroughout this book. Continne to explore other possibilities the material presented of here, in applicationto other tunes. The more of this you do, the more proficient you will becomeand you will then begin to acquire an instinct for finding the right chord voicings.jr.rmpingoctaves,etc.. thus bringing you within reachof extemporaneous improvising a chord melody style of your own. in
Ex. 66
|-#+.1 l ?| t t I
ffi irfff
|-|FFN
t t a l t l
H#
fu"1
ffi
Gtl
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nt
ffftfl
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ffit-nD*th
trrrF
t--t-'t--f-+{
Frrrn rfl-rn
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rnn
Abq
52
Ex. 66 (cont'd)
tu u++fl
H#
ab*'Z-nA*uGA't
tttf|
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++-++.t
iltttl t-t-.1+.1-l
l l l l l l l l l l a l
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ttttil
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It
rrrrn
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l #
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Ex. 66 (cont'd)
rE,
l-{-'t-{-{-{
T*1fi^,
nnn
u-t-lltl t t t t t
rrrtrn rrn-n
A'7*1
t t ? t a l
ffi
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ffi
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Ex. 66 (c
(x)
ITTII]
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i l t t l l ffi Iilill
en't
ffi
l-tiFt+i
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4.
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Ex. 66 (cont'd)
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