The Joys of Half & Whole Steppin'!
While it could be argued that scalar motion and arpeggiation traditionally make up the bulk of melodic lines in most genres, the use of smaller intervals, such as semi & whole tones (or half & whole steps), provides a useful and interesting melodic addition and alternative.
This technique came to the forefront in the early 1960's, most recognizably in the playing of Miles Davis, as well as members of his "2nd Great Quintet" - namely saxophonist Wayne Shorter and pianist Herbie Hancock.
Even as Major and minor 2nds are inherent in any Major or minor scale, their use chromatically - with consistant directional change - is the key to this technique's effectiveness.
This technique came to the forefront in the early 1960's, most recognizably in the playing of Miles Davis, as well as members of his "2nd Great Quintet" - namely saxophonist Wayne Shorter and pianist Herbie Hancock.
Even as Major and minor 2nds are inherent in any Major or minor scale, their use chromatically - with consistant directional change - is the key to this technique's effectiveness.
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