The Fix is In:
Broken Maj 9 Chords in 5ths, Major 3rds Cycle
Broken Maj 9 Chords in 5ths, Major 3rds Cycle
You've probably heard the saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
If a "working musician" is not working, he or she might be "going broke", but if we're talking about one who's dedicated - working or not - the decision may be to "go for broke" in reaching musical and professional goals.
In music terminology - which applies to the subject of this post - it ain't "broke" but "broken" in the sense of being disconnected or detached - as in a broken chord.
So if your chords are broken and you're in a fix, but you're fixin' to fix it, then fixate on the next few paragraphs, so that it might become a fixture of your daily practice routine.
If a "working musician" is not working, he or she might be "going broke", but if we're talking about one who's dedicated - working or not - the decision may be to "go for broke" in reaching musical and professional goals.
In music terminology - which applies to the subject of this post - it ain't "broke" but "broken" in the sense of being disconnected or detached - as in a broken chord.
So if your chords are broken and you're in a fix, but you're fixin' to fix it, then fixate on the next few paragraphs, so that it might become a fixture of your daily practice routine.
Check out the notation graphic below, as it depicts a trio of broken Major 9th chords, expressed in Perfect 5ths, while ascending in Major 3rds in parallel for the first 3 bars.
Notice the common tones between each chord. For example, E & B - the 3rd & 7th of C Maj 9 in bar #1 becomes the Root & 5th of E Maj 9th in bar #2, followed by G# & D#, its 3rd & 7th, as it morphs into the Root & 5th (enharmonically Ab & Eb) of Ab Maj 9 in bar #3.
The final measure descends 9th-Root-5th-3rd of E Maj 9 and C Maj 9, respectively, for 2 beats apiece.
Notice the common tones between each chord. For example, E & B - the 3rd & 7th of C Maj 9 in bar #1 becomes the Root & 5th of E Maj 9th in bar #2, followed by G# & D#, its 3rd & 7th, as it morphs into the Root & 5th (enharmonically Ab & Eb) of Ab Maj 9 in bar #3.
The final measure descends 9th-Root-5th-3rd of E Maj 9 and C Maj 9, respectively, for 2 beats apiece.
Listen
Being that his sequence is pretty straightforward, try changing the chord qualities from Major 9 to minor 9, or anything else. Maj 3rd based harmonic cadences are fun to explore, as they offer harmonic alternatives to the more common ii-Vs.
The free, downloadable pdf has the above sequence transposed to all keys.
B. Stern
The free, downloadable pdf has the above sequence transposed to all keys.
B. Stern
Related:
*** Vertical Structures - Scale the Heights! ***
*** Step Up Your Game! - The Major 3rds Cycles - Descending & Ascending ***
*** Vamp Like a Champ! - ii-V-iii-VI Arpeggiated Sequence ***
*** Vertical Structures - Scale the Heights! ***
*** Step Up Your Game! - The Major 3rds Cycles - Descending & Ascending ***
*** Vamp Like a Champ! - ii-V-iii-VI Arpeggiated Sequence ***
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