In this post, we'll take a look at an ascending, snake-like sequence that also functions as an excellent warm-up exercise.
Based on a simple, repeating 4-note cell, it winds its way chromatically in ascending, serpentine fashion.
A Snakey, Serpentine Warm-Up!
While attempting to learn and assimilate any new skill, it's almost always more effective to take in smaller bits of information at a time. A phrase or melodic line, for example, might be broken up into smaller chunks for better digestion.
In this post, we'll take a look at an ascending, snake-like sequence that also functions as an excellent warm-up exercise. Based on a simple, repeating 4-note cell, it winds its way chromatically in ascending, serpentine fashion.
0 Comments
"Airegin" - Six Short Etudes
Based on the First Eight Measures of the First Ending
Earlier this month, Sonny Rollins - the iconic tenor "Saxophone Colossus", turned 93 years old - which is a major accomplishment in and of itself. So, as a belated birthday salute, I thought we might hone in on a section of one of Sonny's well known and oft played originals - "Airegin" - the title which is, of course, the name of the West African nation Nigeria delleps sdrawkcab (spelled backwards).
Like several of his other originals - which include "St. Thomas", "Oleo", "Doxy" & "Paul's Pal" - "Airegin" has long ago made it to the list of must-know Jazz standards. It was first recorded in June of 1954 on the Prestige label as part of the 10-inch EP "Miles Davis with Sonny Rollins". In this post, we'll focus on an eight-bar section of "Airegin" - namely measures 9 thru 17 - which make up the first half of the first ending of the tune. Horace Silver's classic, "Nutville" was recorded on Oct. 22nd, 1965 and released as part of his Blue Note album, "The Cape Verdean Blues". Along with Silver on piano, the hall-of-fame lineup included Joe Henderson on tenor saxophone, Woody Shaw - trumpet, J. J. Johnson - trombone, with Bob Cranshaw and Roger Humphries - bass and drums, respectively. While the solos by Shaw and Johnson have often been the subject of study, Henderson's brief 4-chorus improvisation is the focus here. Being a tenor player myself, I guess I've always been a little nuts on the subject of Joe.
Take it to the Bridge...
Getting an Angle on "The Eternal Triangle"
Ok, folks! Are you ready to take it to the bridge? Brooklyn? GW? Golden Gate? London Bridge?
Nope. I'm talking about the "The Eternal Triangle" bridge - from the classic Dizzy Gillespie album "Sonny Side Up" - featuring both Theodore "Sonny" Rollins and Edward "Sonny" Stitt (the tune's composer). Two Samurai swordsmen battling it out on the bridge (the whole tune actually) with tenor saxophones as their musical swords of choice. And then, of course - there's Dizzy! Not to be forsaken! Despite the high winds created by the tune's rapid tempo, crossing this bridge might not be as treacherous as it might initially seem.
Bluesitudes! One Dozen 12-Bar Blues
Etudes With Attitude!
The 12-Bar Blues form is probably the most recognizable song form across all styles of popular and world music.
Its organic simplicity and malleability has made it accessible not only to musical artists of all genres, but to the listening public, as well. While the earlier Shortbook™ “Blues Deep: Fifty” focused primarily on the phraseology of the original, primal Blues, as well as the construction of the so called “Blues Scale” and it's relationship to (and result of) the natural overtone series, “Bluesitudes” attempts to demonstrate, from a harmonic point of view, just a few of the modifications to the standard 12-bar Blues form which, over the years, have come into play.
Approaches!
A Sound, Musical Approach to Approach Notes
The term "approach notes" is exactly what it claims to be: notes that are employed to approach a "goal" or "target note", most likely a chord or scale tone that completes a melodic or harmonic resolution of some sort - either temporary or final.
Approach notes can be a single note or single and double note combinations of chromatic and/ or scale tones which approach the target note from below and/ or above. They are sometimes referred to as "enclosures", since they tend to surround or enclose the intended target note. Employing the use of approach notes is an important and time tested technique for creating tension and release within an improvised melodic line, through delayed resolution as well as basic ornamentation.
Shortbook™ of the Month: "C H R O M A T I X"
A New Ear's Resolution
As the initial Shortbook™ of 2018, "Chromatix", as the title suggests, focuses on the technique and improvisational usage of chromaticism (referring, of course, to the 12 note Chromatic Scale).
It provides a window into the myriad combinations of lines and sequences that can be constructed with the close intervals of a minor and Major 2nd, as well as min. & Maj 3rds. As a result, "Chromatix" is first and foremost, a collection of 50 technical exercises, designed to get into the "cracks and crevices" of your fingering technique - regardless of your chosen instrument. Chromaticism (from the Greek word chrōmatikos - meaning "multicolored"), has been a part of the improviser's palette since Louis Armstrong introduced it in his early recorded solos from the 1920's. |
Featured Post
From the Archives
Bobby on Brancher Saxophones
"SUPER! Slick Licks That Stick!" Both "Slick Licks" Vols. 1 & 2 in one 556 page PDF eBook. Take a Peek! Attention
Basses & 'Bones "Slick Licks That Stick!, Vol. 1" Bass Clef Version Available a 177 page, interactive pdf eBook compilation of technique building, non-cliche musical exercises, patterns and licks, is available for Immediate Download! See More. More from
Bobby Stern . . . Most Recent Posts
11/23/2024 - Yet Another Case for ACE - A Melodic Minor ii-V7
___________________ 10/25/2024 - A Perfect Line in Fourths - 4 You!___________________ 09/27/2024 - Augmentation Station: An Augmented Scale Sequence ___________________ 08/29/2024 - The Fix is In - Broken Maj 9 Chords in 5ths, Major 3rds Cycle ___________________ 07/30/2024 - A Snakey, Serpentine Warm-Up! ___________________ 06/29/2024 - Messiaen Around With Mode 3 (Super Augmented) ___________________ 05/23/2024 - Running Into Ideas - "Stablemates" the Last 4-Bars of the "B-Section" ___________________ 04/19/2024 - Four'll Get You Twenty 24 - A Few Half-Diminished Permutations ___________________ 03/22/2024 - Whispering Familiar - An 027 Trichord Transformed ___________________ 02/24/2024 - The Joys of Half & Whole Steppin'! ___________________ 01/26/2024 - Directions & Connections - Alternating Triads in a Pair ___________________ 12/15/2023 - Stocking Stuffer...and a ii-V in a Pair 3! ___________________ 11/23/2023 - A Friendly Little I-VI-ii-V Sequence ___________________ 10/26/2023 - Monkin' Around with the "Evidence" - A Self-Transcription ___________________ 09/22/2023 - "Airegin" - Six Short Etudes - First Eight of the First Ending ___________________ 08/25/2023 - Tailor Made - A Simple Melodic Minor V7-I Resolution ___________________ 07/27/2023 - Plus Factor - An Augmented Scale Sequence ___________________ 06/23/2023 - Major/ minor: A Diminished/ Blues Scale Hex-0-Tonic ___________________ 05/25/2023 - Return of the SUPER 4 - A minor ii-V7 Sequence ___________________ 04/27/2023 - Pairing Off! Fresh Twist, Familiar Combo ___________________ 03/23/2023 - Flip 4 Real! - Using Mordents in a ii-V7 Melodic Line ___________________ 02/24/2023 - Straight Ahead - Elements of an 027 Line ___________________ 01/13/2023 - A Whole Lotta Sole - Giant Steps 027, sus2, sus4, 125 ___________________ 12/17/2022 - 'Tis the Season - A Sleigh Ride at 250 BPM ___________________ 11/27/2022 - NIDIAN & Her Sisters - Maj7sus4 Chords & Tetratonic Modes ___________________ 10/28/2022 - On the Menu...Tasty Lines over a Neo-Soul Vamp! ___________________ 09/28/2022 - "Coming on the Hudson" - A Johnny Griffin Tenor Saxophone Solo Transcription ___________________ 08/27/2022 - "More SUPER 4" ___________________ 07/27/2022 - NEW Shortbook™ - "The SUPER 4" - A 4-Note Swiss Army Knife for Improvisers ___________________ 06/25/2022 - "Nutville" - Joe Henderson's Tenor Solo Transcribed ___________________ 05/26/2022 - Vamp Like a Champ! - ii-V-iii-VI Arpeggiated Sequence ___________________ 04/23/2022 - Check Your Connections! - A Multi- Pentatonic Sequence in Minor 3rds ___________________ 03/26/2022 - The Daily BoopaDoop - "LuLu's Back in Town" ___________________ 02/24/2022 - Getting an Angle - "The Eternal Triangle" Bridge ___________________ 01/19/2022 - Some Fresh Air for Your Practice Routine! ___________________ 12/17/2021 - Stuff This One in Your Stocking! ___________________ 11/25/2021 - Joe Henderson - Tenor Solo Transcription - "You Know I Care" ___________________ 10/21/2021 - Hey! You've Got an ACE up Your Sleeve! ___________________ 09/24/2021 - Playin' the Numbers - A Pentatonic Shape in 12/8 ___________________ 08/19/2021 - "Come Rain or Come Shine" - An All-Weather Etude ___________________ 07/20/2021 - A Jug Full of Ammons - Gene Ammons' Tenor Solo Transcription on "Exactly Like You" _______________________ 06/18/2021 - The Andalusian Cadence, Triad Pairs & "Song for my Father" _______________________ 05/19/2021 - 'Tranein' with Triads - "Coltrane Changes" Alternating Major & Minor Triads _______________________ 04/21/2021 - Kalimbaphone? - Try These Pentatonic Scale Spreads! _______________________ 03/26/2021 - 'Ning's the Thing! Monk's "Rhythm-a-Ning" - Self Transcription _______________________ 02/25/2021 - Monk's Time Again - "Bye-Ya" - A Self-Transcription _______________________ 01/26/2021 - Thelonious Monk's "Bemsha Swing" - A Self-Transcription _______________________ 12/18/2020 - Step Up Your Game! - The Major 3rds Cycles - Descending & Ascending ________________________ 11/25/2020 - The Last 8 - "Night and Day" - JoHen Style _______________________ 10/29/2020 - Components: Triad Pairs, Melodic Minor ii-V7--I with a iii-VI Turnaround _______________________ 09/25/2020 - Go Ye 4th: Fourtitude + Lines in 4ths _______________________ 08/28/2020 - An Etude for a Brighter Day - John Coltrane's "Mr. Day" _______________________ 07/31/2020 - Trichord 027 - A Fresh, New Old Piece of Musical Language _______________________ 06/27/2020 - The Lines Are Open! - An open 027 Trichord line _______________________ 05/31/2020 - Changin' Trane's / Retrosteps - The Ultimate Book on Coltrane Changes _______________________ 04/28/2020 - Oh 2 Slick Blues - A 12-Bar Blues for the Socially Distanced _______________________ 03/28/2020 - Oh-2-Slick! More Fun & Games With the 026 Trichord _______________________ 02/27/2020 - Oh-Two-Six - An Improviser's Guide to the 026 Trichord _______________________ 01/29/2020 - Jazzitudes 3 - Ten More Solo-Styled Jazz Etudes With Attitude! _______________________ 12/28/2019 - Super Augmented II - Further Explorations _______________________ 11/29/2019 - 013 Trichord... Super Auugmented! _______________________ 10/29/2019 - Beboppin' the 6th / Diminished Scale - An Essential Element _______________________ 09/24/2019 - Vertical Structures - Scale the Heights! _______________________ 08/28/2019 - Bluesitudes! One Dozen 12-Bar Blues Etudes With Attitude! _______________________ 07/26/2019 - We Got Rhythm Changes! ________________________ 06/25/2019 - The Harmonic Minor Primer _______________________ 05/29/2019 - Your Daily Bread - 100% Whole Tone _______________________ 04/23/2019 - Hexatonic Triad Pairs II - Mixed Pairs _______________________ 03/21/2019 - Hexatonic Triad Pairs: Vol 1 - Major Scale Pairs _______________________ 02/12/2019 - Pentalogy - A Multi Pentatonic Scale Practical Practice Guide ____________________________ 01/23/2019 - Triadicisms II - Minor, Augmented & Diminished Triad Workout ____________________________ 12/23/2018 - Triadicisms - Vol. 1: Major Triad Workout ____________________________ 11/22/2018 - Fourtitude - Fourtification for Improvisation ____________________________ 10/23/2018 - Approaches! - A Sound, Musical Approach to Approach Notes ____________________________ 09/21/2018 - Double Harmonic Major - An Ancient Futuristic Melodic Source ____________________________ 08/21/2018 - Shortbook™ of the Month - "Blues Deep: Fifty" ____________________________ 07/18/218 - Permutation Station II - Next Station: Inversions ____________________________ 06/21/2018 - "Jazzitudes 2" - The Baker's Dozen ____________________________ 05/23/2018 - Permutation Station 1 2 3 5 - Twenty-four roads to Rome ____________________________ 04/24/2018 - Shortbook™ of the Month: "Jazzitudes" - One Dozen Solo Etudes with Attitude ____________________________ 03/16/2018 - There Ain't No Cure for the "FUNKADOSIS!" ____________________________ 02/21/2018 - Shortbook™ of the Month: ...and they called it "Kalindaja" ____________________________ 02/09/2018 - RetroSpective: "Ten to 2" - 25th Anniversary Reissue - A collection of original music feat. the first Akai EWI ____________________________ 01/20/2018 - Shortbook™ of the Month: CHROMATIX - A New Ear's Resolution ________________________ 12/27/2017 - Shortbook™ of the Month: The Book of Altered II - Extensions & Dimensions ________________________ 11/26/2017 - Shortbook™ of the Month: The Book of Altered ________________________ 10/28/2017 - Shortbook™ of the Month: The Cycle - 101 ________________________ 09/19/2017 - "26-2" and "226 Retrosteps" - An Addendum ________________________ 08/22/2017 - Shortbook™ of the Month: RETROSTEPS - The Cycle of ASCENDING Maj 3rds ________________________ 07/26/2017 - Shortbook™ of the Month: Augmented Scale Reality ________________________ 06/20/2017 - Yellin on Henderson: A Candid Interview with Saxophonist Pete Yellin ________________________ 05/23/2017 - Shortbook™ of the Month: Changing 'Trane's - The Cycle of Descending Major 3rds ________________________ See Index to All Posts™ Categories
All
Archives
November 2024
|