Jazz Improvisation Lesson Outline

Go to the Clinic and Lesson ordering information Chords:

y y

triads, 7ths, 9ths, 11ths, 13ths, UST, hybrids maj, min, dom, dom b5, dom#5, dim, min7b5, all possible alterations

Chord Inversions

y y y y
Scales:

all inversions triads, 7ths, 9ths, 11ths, 13ths, UST, hybrids maj, min, dom, dom b5, dom#5, dim, min7b5, all possible alterations variations on groupings; up, down, up/down, down/up, down/2 up, 2 down/1 up

y y y y y y y

blues modes of major modes of melodic minor modes of harmonic minor synthetic modes pentatonics chord scale continuum

Stepwise Patterns:

y y

groups of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 variations on groupings; up, down, up/down, down/up, down/2 up, 2 down/1 up

Displaced Stepwise Patterns

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1235 (diatonically) 124 125 126 127 134 (love supreme lick) variations on groupings; up, down, up/down, down/up, down/2 up, 2 down/1 up

Diatonic Intervals:

y y

3rds, 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, 7ths, variations on groupings; up, down, up/down, down/up, down/2 up, 2 down/1 up

Non-Diatonic (Constant Structure) Intervals

y y y y

minor 3rds 4ths 5ths variations on groupings; up, down, up/down, down/up, down/2 up, 2 down/1 up

Diatonic Harmonies:

y y y y y y

triads 7th chords 9th chords quartal harmony quintel harmony variations on groupings; up, down, up/down, down/up, down/2 up, 2 down/1 up

Approach Note Patterns:

y y y

applied to all above materials whole step above/chromatic below chromatic above, below, above/below

Coltrane Matrix

y y

applied to possible II-V situations applied to Coltrane tunes

Bi-Tonality

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2 triads linked together emphasizing a hybrid or altered tonality (in a dominant or modal situation) major triad whole step above major triad min 3rd above major triad a major 3rd below major triad a minor 3rd below major triad a tritone away

Free Playing:

y y y y

completely free free within a scale free within a rhythmic pattern free in time

Rhythmic Considerations:

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subdivisions triplets, quintuplets, septuplets repeating rhythmic patterns

Reharmonization:

y y y y

harmonic generalization substitute chords hybrids that fit chord alterations alterations on existing chords

Practice Cycles:

chromatic up/down, min 3rds, maj 3rds, 4ths, 5ths

Articulation:

y
II-V's:

basic jazz articulation and swing feel as applied to melodies, exercises, and improvised melodic lines

y y y
Licks:

standard generic licks from transcriptions from your lines

same as above

25 ways to work on a tune: Ordering Information Supplementary Materials:

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Keyboard (basics) Transcription Ordering Information Arranging Techniques See the jazz arranging outline Music Copying/Calligraphy Listening! See the recommended listening list

Tune Types/Styles:

y y y y y y y

Blues Modal Tunes Standards Be-bop Latin/Salsa Ballads Non-Standard Tunes