Triadic Chromatic Approach

Principles & Supplements

About This PDF

The Music of George Garzone & the Triadic Chromatic Approach DVD fully illustrates
how to apply the Triadic Chromatic Approach as an improviser. However, this PDF
provides supplemental material to help visualize the concept.

Why are transcriptions from the DVD performances not supplied?

George Garzone believes that to fully understand and execute his concept, it is very
important to hear the sound of the Triadic Chromatic Approach internally. Therefore,
no transcriptions are supplied from the performances on the DVD. However, written
examples have been included in this PDF to ensure comprehension on how to construct
these complex harmonic lines.

Before You Start

To master the Triadic Chromatic Approach, you first need to ensure that you can
execute all the triads on your instrument. If you do not feel confident playing the triads,
please go through the preparatory exercises before beginning to play the Triadic
Chromatic Approach.

INDEX
Principles of The Random Triadic Approach..... p. 1
Principles of The Random Chromatic Approach p. 4
Triadic Chromatic Approach Exercise Examples... p. 6
Preparatory Exercises.. p. 8
Lead Sheets of Music
Standard Chord Progression I (Concert, Bb, Eb)............

p. 9

Standard Chord Progression I with George Garzone Solo*

(Concert, Bass, Bb, Eb).............................................................p. 12
*Example of the Triadic Chromatic Approach
Standard Chord Progression II (Concert, Bb, Eb)...

p. 16

Hey, Open Up (Concert, Bass, Bb, Eb) p. 19

The Mingus That I Knew (Concert, Bass, Bb, Eb)... p. 23
Modal Progression (Concert, Bb, Eb)...p. 27

-1-

Random Triadic Approach (Major/Minor/Diminished/Augmented)

Basic Principles
1. Triads MUST be connected with a half-step in between
2. The same inversion CANNOT be repeated back to back
Select any major, minor, diminished or augmented triad to begin. The C Major triad in
root position has been selected for Example 1.
Example 1

After playing C E G ascending, play either one half-step up to Ab (Ex. 1a) or one halfstep down to Gb (Ex. 1b) as starting notes of the next triad.

Example 1a

Example 1b

The next triad can be any triad except Ab Major Root Position (Ex. 2a) if Ab was chosen
as the starting note or Gb Major Root Position (Ex. 2b) if Gb was chosen as the starting
note. Please also see the next section on Displaced Permutation.
Example 2a

Example 2b

Ab Major Triad do not use

Gb Major Triad do not use

-2-

Appropriate triad choices are given in Examples 3a and 3b. It is suggested that the best
result could be achieved by using a triad that goes in a different direction then the
preceding one. Notice that Example 3a uses a Displaced Permutation of the Db Major
triad. For more on Displaced Permutation, see the next section.
Example 3a

Example 3b

Db Major Triad

Gb Major Triad

Displaced Permutation
The sound of a triad can be affected by a Displaced Permutation of that triad. This idea is
illustrated by using the C Major triad (C E G) in Examples 4a and 4b.
Example 4a

Example 4b

Examples 4a and 4b are both considered starting root positions of C Major as they both
begin with the root of the chord and contain the notes from the C Major triad. However,
the sound of the C Major triad is affected in Example 4b (C G E) as the third (E) and fifth
(G) do not sound in the traditional order that we see in Example 4a. Example 4b (C G E)
is described as a C major triad root position with displaced permutation. Once the triad
is permutated, it is treated as a different inversion in this concept. Therefore the same
inversion can be repeated back to back as long as one of the two triads uses a displaced
permutation.

-3-

The following examples illustrate the improper method of the random triadic approach
(Ex. 5a) and the proper method of the random triadic approach (Ex. 5b). Due to the
chromatic nature of this concept, please note that if an example has no time signature, all
notes are natural unless there is a sharp or flat.

Example 5a Improper Method

Example 5b Proper Method

So far, all the examples have dealt with major triads. Please know that the Random
Triadic Approach applies to minor, diminished and augmented triads as well.

-4-

Random Chromatic Approach

NOTE: Due to the chromatic nature of this approach, all notes in the
examples are natural unless there is a sharp or flat in front of it.
Basic Principles
1. The constructed melodic lines MUST stay within an interval of a
Major 3rd.
2. The same intervals CANNOT be repeated consecutively in the same
direction within the chosen Major 3rd.
The idea of the Random Chromatic Approach is to avoid repeated patterns.
Pick any note and find the major 3rd above or below it. In Example 6, the note C was
chosen as the starting point and E is the major 3rd above it.
Example 6

Within that major 3rd exists 5 notes: C C#(Db) D Eb(D#) E (enharmonic spellings may be
used). Any of these notes may serve as a starting point (Ex. 6a).
Example 6a

The note C has been chosen as the starting point. The next note can be any one of the
notes that exist within the major 3rd; D has been chosen for Example 6b.
Example 6b

-5-

Since the interval between C and D is a whole step, the next note cannot ascend using a
whole step up to the note E. In Example 6c, Eb has been chosen as the next note, and Db
after that. Notice that the intervals are not the same consecutively.
Example 6c

While it is possible for the note to descend a whole step to C, this creates the likelihood
of the melody becoming locked out of using that interval (whole step in this case) again
because a pattern has been created by going back to the original starting note; if the
choice to descend a whole step is made, then the next interval cannot be a whole step up
or else a pattern will start to emerge; Example 6d shows how with the addition of 2 more
notes of different intervals help to avoid the line becoming too pattern-like.
Example 6d

Please see Examples 6e and 6f for proper and improper methods of the Random
Chromatic Approach. For an example of combining the Random Triadic and
Chromatic Approaches (i.e. the Triadic Chromatic Approach), please see Have You
Met Miss Jones on pp. 13-16.
Example 6e Improper Method

Example 6f Proper Method

-6-

Triadic Chromatic Approach Exercise Examples

IMPORTANT NOTE:
If an example has no time signature, all notes are natural n unless there is a flat b or sharp # .

b b b

#
b
#
b
&

Major Triads in Random Inversions with a half-step in between.

# b b

b

b b

b
&
b

Continue...

Minor Triads in Random Inversions with a half-step in between.

b
b

b #
b b
& b b
&

b b b b #
#

b
#

Continue...

Random Chromatics within a Major 3rd.

& b b b # b # b # b
Continue...

& # # # b b # b # #
Continue...

-7-

Free Random Chromatic Movement Over the Octave, Not Larger Than a Major 3rd.

& # # b b b # # # b

&

b b b

b b
#

#
Continue...

Random Chromatics Over a Chord.

# b
& b b # # # # b b
CMaj7

a)

b b b # b # #
&
G+7

b)

Continue...

Continue...

Random Chromatics Over II-7 V7 IMaj7.

NOTE: These example have time signatures and barlines, therefore normal notation rules apply for accidentals.

a)

&c

D-7

b # b
#

# # n n
& c b
D-7

b)

U
b b b n w

G7

CMaj7

Continue...

# b b b n n U
w

G7

CMaj7

Continue...

-8-

Prepartory Exercises for the Triadic Chromatic Approach

IMPORTANT NOTE:
If an example has no time signature, all notes are natural n unless there is a flat b or sharp # .
Symmetrical Major Triads Ascending and Descending with half-steps in between.
a)

# b b # b b # # b #

&

Continue...

b)

& b b # b b # # # #

Continue...

# # b b # b b b # # #

b
&

Major Pentatonics (1, 2, b3, 5) Ascending and Descending with half-steps in between.

a)

Continue...

b)

&

# # # #
b

b b
b

Continue...

b
b b b # # b # b b

&

Symmetrical Minor Triads Ascending and Descending with half-steps in between.

a)

Continue...

b)

& b # # b b b b # # b

Continue...

b
# b b b # # # b # # b b
&

Minor Pentatonics (1, 2, b3, 5) Ascending and Descending with half-steps in between.
a)

Continue...

b)

&

b
# b
b

# #
b
b

Continue...

Concert

-9-

[Standard Chord Progression I]

F 7

&c
A -7

&

F 7

&

13

B b 7

&

21

&
&

29

25

A -7

D7

D -7

F #o7

D 7

F 7

&

17

&
A -7

F #o7

D -7

A b-7

F #o7

C7

G b 7

G bMaj7

C -7

G -7

F 7

C7

F7

E -7

G -7

A7

C7

C7

G -7

C7

C7

G -7

D b7

G -7

D b7

G -7

A b-7

G -7

C7

- 10 -

B-Flat

[Standard Chord Progression I]

G 7

&c
B -7

&

G 7

&

B -7

&

13

C 7

&

17

E 7

G 7

29

E7

E -7

G #o7

G #o7

A -7

D7

A b 7

A bMaj7

A -7

G 7

B7

A -7

G7

F #-7

D7

D7

D7

D -7

A -7

E b7

A -7

E b7

B b-7
B b-7

A -7

E -7

25

&

&
B -7

&

21

G #o7

D7

D7

A -7

D7

- 11 -

E-Flat

[Standard Chord Progression I]

D 7

&c

F #-7

&

D 7

&

F #-7

&

13

G 7

&

17

&

21

D 7

&

25

F #-7

&

29

F -7

F -7

D #o7

B -7

B7

D #o7

B -7

B 7

D #o7

E -7

A7

E -7

B b7

E -7

B b7

E -7

A -7

E b 7

E -7

D 7

A7

E bMaj7

A7

A7

D7

C #-7

F #7

E -7

A7

A7

E -7

A7

Concert

- 12 -

[Standard Chord Progression I with George Garzone Solo]

NOTE: This Solo by George Garzone is an Example of combining the Random

Triadic and Chromatic Approaches (i.e. the Triadic Chromatic Approach)

F #o7

F 7

G -7
C7

b #
b b
b
b

c
b

b b n n

&

D -7
G -7
b b C7
b # n
b

# b # #
#

& #
b
A -7

F #o7

F 7

G -7
C7

b b b # b n
b b b # n

&

D -7
C -7
F7
b

b # # n

# #

#
#
#
&
A -7

13

B b 7

A b-7

D b7

G b 7

b b b b # n
b
&

17

D 7

&

21

# b

F 7

A b-7

D b7

G bMaj7

b #

F #o7

b b

b b b b b
#
E -7

A7

b
b # n b b n b b
G -7

C7

C7

b b # #
b n b b b b b

b
&
G -7

25

A -7

D7

G -7

C7

F 7

G -7

C7

b b n b b
n b b n b
b

&

#

29

- 13 -

Concert - Bass Clef

[Standard Chord Progression I with George Garzone Solo]

NOTE: This Solo by George Garzone is an Example of combining the Random
Triadic and Chromatic Approaches (i.e. the Triadic Chromatic Approach)

F #o7

F 7

b # b b n b b b b
b

?c

b b b n n
b b

G -7

C7

b b
b # n
b

#
?
#

#
b
A -7

D -7

G -7

F #o7

F 7

C7

? b b b # b n b b b b # n
b

G -7

C7

b
? b b b b # # # n # b # # #
A -7

D -7

13

B b 7

C -7

A b-7

D b7

G b 7

? b b b b # n b

17

D 7

? # b

21

F 7

A b-7

D b7

G bMaj7

F7

E -7

A7

G -7

C7

b b b b b
#

b b

b # b b b
b

# n b

F #o7

? b b # # b b b n n b b b b b b

G -7

25

A -7

D7

G -7

C7

F 7

C7

G -7

C7

? b n b b
n b n b

b
b

b
b
#
29
3

- 14 -

B-Flat

[Standard Chord Progression I with George Garzone Solo]

NOTE: This Solo by George Garzone is an Example of combining the Random
Triadic and Chromatic Approaches (i.e. the Triadic Chromatic Approach)

G #o7

G 7

A -7
D7

b # n

b b #

b # #

c
&

A -7
b D7
E-7b b
b

#
# # n # # #

& # #
B -7

G #o7

G 7

A -7
D7
b b b
#
# b n # # #
&

D -7
G7
b

b E-7b b #

# # #

#
#
&
B -7

13

C 7

B b-7

E 7

B b-7

E b7

A b 7

b b # n # #
&

17

&

21

G 7

&

25

B -7

E b7

A bMaj7

# n # #

G #o7

F #-7

# # b n b b
b
B7

b b
# # b # n b
A -7

D7

A -7
D7

# b n b # n b
b # # #

E7

A -7

D7

G 7

A -7

D7

n b # b
n # b #
b

#
&
#

29

- 15 -

E-Flat

[Standard Chord Progression I with George Garzone Solo]

NOTE: This Solo by George Garzone is an Example of combining the Random
Triadic and Chromatic Approaches (i.e. the Triadic Chromatic Approach)

D 7

b
& c # b

F #-7

D #o7

# # n b n b # n
#
#
E -7

A7

b
b b

b
#

b
b b
& # n # #

B -7

E -7

D #o7

D 7

A7

b b #
&
#
# n b # # #

F #-7

E -7

A7

b # b n
b b #
#

# b
b # n b #
&

13

B -7

G 7

A -7

B b7

F -7

E b 7

b # n #

&
#

17

B 7

# #
&

21

&

25

D 7

F #-7

F -7

B b7

E bMaj7

D7

C #-7

F #7

E -7

A7

# # b n b b

b
#

# n b
b

# #

D #o7

b # # # # # # b n b # n b

B7

E -7

E -7

A7

D 7

A7

E -7

A7

& # # n n # b # n # # n # # b
29
3

Concert

- 16 -

[Standard Chord Progression II]

F -7

bb
&b b c

D b 7

G7

C -7

F -7

bb
&b b

bb
&b b

A b 7

bb
&b b

13

bb
&b b

21

A -7

bb
b
& b

17

F #-7(b 5)

A -7(b 5)

D7

D7

B7

C 7

B b7

G 7

E b 7

G 7

E 7

C +7

D b 7

D b-7

C -7

B o7

B b-7

E b7

A b6

A b 7

bbb
b
&

33

A b 7

E b7

bbb
b
&

29

E b7

B b-7

F -7

bb
&b b

25

B b-7

G -7(b 5)

C7

B-Flat

- 17 -

[Standard Chord Progression II]

G -7

b
&b c
E b 7

A7

D -7

G -7

b
&b

&b

B b 7

b
&b

13

B -7

b
b

&

17

&b

21

G #-7(b 5)

G -7

b
&b

25

E b 7

b
b
&

29

C -7

b
b
&

33

C -7

B -7(b 5)

E7

C #7

E7

F7

D 7

C7

A 7

B b 7

F 7

A 7

D +7

C -7

F7

B b 7

E b-7

D -7

F7

B b6

F # 7

C #o7

A -7(b 5)

D7

E-Flat

- 18 -

[Standard Chord Progression II]

D -7

&b c
B b 7

&b

A -7

&b

F 7

&b

13

&b

&b

17

21

F #-7

D #-7(b 5)
D -7

&b

25

B b 7

&b

&b

29

33

G -7

G -7

E7

D -7

F #-7(b 5)

B7

B7

G -7

A 7

G7

G #7

C7

E 7

C 7

C # 7

A +7

C7

F 7

F6

E 7

C7

A -7

B b-7

F 7

G #o7

E -7(b 5)

A7

- 19 -

Concert

[Hey, Open Up]

b
& c b

&

b .

b b n b .

George Garzone

n b b b n b n b .
b b b
# b n b b

#
b
b
b

&

PLAY OVER "F" BLUES

Copyright 1985, GarGull Music, ASCAP ,INC.

- 20 -

[Hey, Open Up]

Concert - Bass Clef

?c

b
b

b .

b b n b .
?

George Garzone

n b b n b n b .
b
b b b
# b n b b

? # b b b b # n # b

PLAY OVER "F" BLUES

Copyright 1985, GarGull Music, ASCAP ,INC.

- 21 -

[Hey, Open Up]

B-Flat

b #
&c
# # .
b

&

George Garzone

# b n # n n b .
b
# # b b

#
#

&
#

b

PLAY OVER "G" BLUES

Copyright 1985, GarGull Music, ASCAP ,INC.

- 22 -

[Hey, Open Up]

E-Flat

& c # b #

&

# # .

George Garzone

# n # n # .

b #
# # b

#
# # # # # b # # # # #

&

PLAY OVER "D" BLUES

Copyright 1985, GarGull Music, ASCAP ,INC.

- 23 -

Concert

[The Mingus That I Knew]

G -7(b 5)

C7(b 9)

George Garzone

D -7(b 5)

G7(b 9)

C 7

G 7

B b7

E b7

j
b b n .
b

& c b b n J J J
F -7(b 5)

&

G7(b 9)
F 7

&

13

[Double X]

F 7

[End Double X]

21

n b # # w
J J

G 7

A b 7

D -7(b 5)

F 7

A b-7

C 7(# 9)

b w

bF7 .
b.
. b.

.
b b nw
J
J
D b7

B b7

D -7(b 5)

F -7

G7(b 9)

b b .

b. b .
J
&
F -7

25

G7(b 9)

E b 7

b n n b b b b w

E b 7

&

G b7

b b

&

17

E b-7

b b b

&

B b7(b 9)

B b7

B b7

.
J

.
J

G -7(b 5) C7(b 9)

b.
b

J
J

b
J

C -7

G -7(b 5)

. b J .
J

C7(b 9)

B7
E 7

b b
w
b J J b J

&
J
F -7

29

G -7

C7

F -7

Copyright 1996 GarGull Music, ASCAP, INC.

- 24 -

Concert - Bass Clef

[The Mingus That I Knew]

G -7(b 5)

?c

C7(b 9)

G7(b 9)
F 7

? .

13

G7(b 9)

C 7

B b7(b 9)

E b-7

G 7

B b7

E b7

G b7

F 7

b b

G 7

A b-7

A b 7

D -7(b 5)

F 7

17

b. b nw
J
D b7

E b 7

D -7(b 5)

G7(b 9)

? b b .

[End Double X]

21

F -7

? b . b J .

25

B b7

B b7

.
J

.
J

G7(b 9)

F-7

b n n b b

[Double X]

C 7(# 9)

b w

bF7 .
b.
. b.
B b7

E b 7

b b w
3

G -7(b 5) C7(b 9)

b b.

J
J
C -7

G -7(b 5)

. b .
J
J

C7(b 9)

j
b

B b7

E b 7

? b b J b b b b w
J J
J
F -7

29

b b b
n b j # # w
J

D -7(b 5)

j j b b b n .
j
b

J
b

F -7(b 5)

George Garzone

G -7

C7

F -7

Copyright 1996 GarGull Music, ASCAP, INC. 3

- 25 -

B-Flat

[The Mingus That I Knew]

A -7(b 5)

D7(b 9)

George Garzone

E -7(b 5)

A7(b 9)

A 7

C7

D 7

# # n b # .

& c b J
J J J
G -7(b 5)

C7(b 9)

b b
#
&

A7(b 9)
G 7

&

13

[Double X]

&

17

[End Double X]

F 7

&

21

&

25

B b 7

b.
J

G 7

A 7

B b-7

F7

# w
J # # #
J

b .
#

&

A b7

F -7

E -7(b 5)

A7(b 9)

G 7

G7

nw
J
E b7

D 7(# 9)

. .
. .
F 7

# # b n # n w

#
3
E -7(b 5)

G -7

A7(b 9)

b .

. b .
J

G -7

.
J
C7

.
J

A -7(b 5) D7(b 9)

D -7

.
J

A -7(b 5)

.
J

C7

b.

J .

D7(b 9)

G-7
C7
F 7

w
J J

J
&
J
G -7

29

C7

A -7

D7

Copyright 1996 GarGull Music, ASCAP, INC.

- 26 -

E-Flat

[The Mingus That I Knew]

E -7(b 5)

A7(b 9)

George Garzone

B -7(b 5)

E7(b 9)

E 7

G7

A 7

# .
j j
j

& c # J # # n
D -7(b 5)

G7(b 9)

E b7

b
b # j # b n # # w
&
J

E7(b 9)

&

D 7

&

13

D 7

C -7

E 7

F 7

B -7(b 5)

D 7

E7(b 9)

C7

A 7(# 9)

# .
. #
. .

D7

#w
J
b

B7
D-7
G7
C 7

#
# n w
# #

&
3

[Double X]

17

F -7

B -7(b 5)

C 7

E7(b 9)

&

[End Double X]

21

&

D -7

25

.
J

G7

.
J

.
J

A -7

.
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b.

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C 7

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29

G7

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Copyright 1996 GarGull Music, ASCAP, INC. 3

G7

- 27 -

Concert

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D -7

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D -7

E b-7

- 28 -

B-flat

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E -7

F -7

- 29 -

E-flat

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B -7

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B -7

C -7