Major / minor:
A Diminished/ Blues Scale Hex-0-Tonic
A Diminished/ Blues Scale Hex-0-Tonic
"Bubble, bubble; toil and trouble!"..., Oh yeah!
Regardless of which witch stirs the pot, the makings of great solo improvisation isn't about magic - even when the results do seem magical.
The "toil and trouble" part of it comes down to the consistency of - and attitude towards - one´s own practice regimen. The "toil" ceases to be "trouble", as positive results begin to manifest.
Since there actually is a method to this magic, one spellbinding, tried and true device for your bag of tricks is the use of Triad Pairs. This involves two mutually exclusive triads (no common tones between them) and their inversions - which in turn forms a 6-note (Hexatonic) scale.
Regardless of which witch stirs the pot, the makings of great solo improvisation isn't about magic - even when the results do seem magical.
The "toil and trouble" part of it comes down to the consistency of - and attitude towards - one´s own practice regimen. The "toil" ceases to be "trouble", as positive results begin to manifest.
Since there actually is a method to this magic, one spellbinding, tried and true device for your bag of tricks is the use of Triad Pairs. This involves two mutually exclusive triads (no common tones between them) and their inversions - which in turn forms a 6-note (Hexatonic) scale.
The Triad Pair / Hexatonic conjured up here consists of a Major triad and the minor triad a min 3rd above it. Ex. 1 below, illustrates alternating G Maj and Bb min triads - ascending through their inversions, with root positions repeating up an octave in bar #4.
Ex. 1)
Ex. 1)
Root Position 1st Inversion 2nd Inversion
When both triads are laid out horizontally, the result is the hexatonic scale shown below in Ex. #2.
Ex. 2)
Ex. 2)
R #9(b3) 3 #11(b5) 5 b7
Looking at it from another angle reveals an abridged version of the G half tone/ whole tone Diminished Scale (G-G#-A#-B-C#-D-E-F). Being that the Diminished Scale is octatonic (eight notes), the two that didn't get the party invite this time are G# and E. Sorry guys!
The result is a strong G7, dominant sound with a b5 (Db/ C#) and a #9 (or b3, A#/ Bb). The presence of both of these extensions creates a decided Major/ minor Blues inflected tonality, which is the hallmark of most any Blues/ Funk related style.
Taking the enharmonic spellings into consideration, the interval breakdown consists of:
2 minor 2nds (A#-B & C#-D),
2 Major 2nds (B-C# & F-G),
4 minor 3rds (G-A#, A#-C#, B-D & D-F, which form 2 diminished triads),
3 Major 3rds (G-B, A#-D & C#-F)
2 Perfect 4ths (D-G. F-A#) & 2 tritones (G-C# & B-F).
Perfect 5ths are, of course, inverted 4ths. Maj/ min 6ths are inversions of min/ Maj 3rds & Maj/ min 7ths inversions of min/ Maj 2nds.
The result is a strong G7, dominant sound with a b5 (Db/ C#) and a #9 (or b3, A#/ Bb). The presence of both of these extensions creates a decided Major/ minor Blues inflected tonality, which is the hallmark of most any Blues/ Funk related style.
Taking the enharmonic spellings into consideration, the interval breakdown consists of:
2 minor 2nds (A#-B & C#-D),
2 Major 2nds (B-C# & F-G),
4 minor 3rds (G-A#, A#-C#, B-D & D-F, which form 2 diminished triads),
3 Major 3rds (G-B, A#-D & C#-F)
2 Perfect 4ths (D-G. F-A#) & 2 tritones (G-C# & B-F).
Perfect 5ths are, of course, inverted 4ths. Maj/ min 6ths are inversions of min/ Maj 3rds & Maj/ min 7ths inversions of min/ Maj 2nds.
Due to the effect created by the interaction of the Maj 3rd (B) with the #9/ b3 (A#/ Bb), as well as with the b5 (C#/Db), this also turns out to be a streamlined alternative to a popular version of the so-called "Blues Scale" (G-A-Bb-B-C-C#-D-E-F (Triad Pair / Hexatonic in bold)).
Below (Ex. 3) is an example of a 4-bar sequence, employing all six notes, as well as all of the above listed intervals (excluding 6ths), of the G Maj & Bb min Triad Pair / Hexatonic, intervalically over a bed of funkafried greens.
Ex. 3)
Below (Ex. 3) is an example of a 4-bar sequence, employing all six notes, as well as all of the above listed intervals (excluding 6ths), of the G Maj & Bb min Triad Pair / Hexatonic, intervalically over a bed of funkafried greens.
Ex. 3)
Listen
The Free B! downloadable pdf contains this 4-bar sequence transposed to all keys.
Work it into your own pot of "Bitches Brew", and let it marinate.
As a wise Wiz once proclaimed: "Poof! I'm out!"
B. Stern
Work it into your own pot of "Bitches Brew", and let it marinate.
As a wise Wiz once proclaimed: "Poof! I'm out!"
B. Stern
Shortbooks™ - For Serious Improvisers of All Levels! Add them to your library.
RSS Feed
