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Strive to understand harmony on a deeper level. Listen with an open mind. Transcribe. Can you
hear the melodic/harmonic/rhythmic devices? Try to understand the why behind a great
recording and/or solo.
Level one:
Major scale: C D E F G A B C
Minor scale: A B C D E F G A
Major pentatonic scale: C D E G A C
Minor pentatonic scale: A C D E G A
Can you play major, minor, and pentatonic scales in all keys? Can you hear when the key
changes? Do you have strong rhythm? Are you listening to the drums when you improvise?
Yes? Move to the next level.
D min7 = D E F G A B C D and/or D F A C E.
G7 = G A B C D E F G and/or G B D F A
C maj7 = C D E F G A B C
Voice leading
Over a II V I progression, start on the 5th of the min 7 chord. Voice leading = 5 to b9 to 5
D min 7 I G7 I C maj7 I C maj7 I
A (5th of Dmin7) I Ab ( b9 of G7) I 5 (5th of C maj7) I I
On the G 7, the C is an avoid note because of the clash with the B (the third). On the C maj7, the
F is an avoid note because of the clash with the E (the third). Voice leading begins at this level.
Learn and apply jazz vocabulary to the changes / song you are learning. Are you playing chord
tones on strong beats? Yes? Move to the next level.
At this level, players begin to find scales / notes that capture the sound of a series of chords.
For example, Roy’s progression: Bb min7 I C min7 I Db maj7
The Ab maj7 scale will not sound great over this progression. The melody provides a lesson. F
minor pentatonic is the first scale choice. F Ab Bb C Eb F. In the melody, the Ab is played over
the Cmin7. Do you like that sound? Do you know why it works?
1. Sequences
2. C min7 is a passing chord.
Making good choices. Know this info to understand harmony for all major keys
Cmaj7 = 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9.
Dmin7 = 1, b3, 5, b7, 9, 11, and 13.
Expanding…
Dmin7 I G7 I Cmaj 7 I C maj7 I
F7 I Bb7 I F7 l F7 I
Bb7 I Bb7 I F7 I D7 I
Gmin7 I C7 I F7 D7 I Gmin7 C7 I
Level four:
Dmin7 = DmMaj7 … D E F G A B C# and/or D F A C# E
G7 = G7 (#11) … G A B C# D E F G and/or G B D F A C#
Eb maj #5 = 1, 3, #5, 7, 9 / Eb F G Ab B C D Eb
G Ab Bb B C# D E F G = Bb7 (b9)
G Ab Bb B C# D E F G = C#7 (b9)
G Ab Bb B C# D E F G = E7 (b9)
7th chord moving up in minor 3rds use the same half whole diminished scale. One scale can be
played on four chords.
Level five:
Understanding the expansion
At this level, the substitution opens the door to the b9, #9, #11, and b13. How?
Db over G = #11
Eb over G = b13
F over G = 7
Ab over G = b9
Bb over G = #9
Cb (B) over G = 3
Level six:
The related two of Db7 is Abmin7. The new progression is …
Abmin7 I Db7 I Cmaj7
Abmin7 to Db7 is a substitute for Dmin7 to G7.
When the previous levels are mastered, the improviser can explore different resolutions.
Level seven:
Chords can move in minor thirds. Look at the different ways a V7 chord is moving to I.
V7 to I, bVII7 to I, bII7 or sub V to I, III7 or V7 of vi to I.
Dmin7 I G7 I C maj7
Fmin7 I Bb7 I Cmaj7
Abmin7 I Db7 I Cmaj7
B min7 I E7 I C maj7
Imagine what happens when you begin applying vocabulary? Check out the variations on the
above chords.
Ex. 1
Coltrane Changes
D–7 I G7 I C maj7 I C maj7
D-7 Eb7 I Ab maj7 B7 I Emaj7 G7 I C maj7
G-7 C7 I C7 I F7 D7 I G-7 C7 I
Giant Steps
The song is in three keys: B maj / G maj / Eb maj
Coltrane uses V to I and II Vs to connect the keys.
B major scale = too bland. Will not capture the sound of the chord
B lydian scale = good choice B C# D# E# (F) F# G# A#
Ab natural minor = good choice. Very close to B major.
Ab minor pentatonic = better choice. Ab Cb Db Eb Gb Ab
On a major 7th chord, the improviser can play a minor pentatonic scale/phrase starting on the
7th degree.
B maj7 #11 = B D# F# A#
A# is the 7th of B maj7 #11
A# is the same note as Bb
Bb minor pentatonic captures the sound of B maj7 #11
This concept can be found in solos by Woody Shaw and Mulgrew Miller.
Check out the alternate take on the Giant Steps album. The improviser can also learn from
Coltrane’s solo on 26-2. More recent examples can be found on Kenny Garrett’s triology album.
D E G A C D = D sus
E G A C D E = E min
G A C D E G = G sus
A C D E G A = A min 7
Pentatonic scale with one alteration
C D Eb G A C = Cm 6
D Eb G A C D = D susb9
Eb G A C D Eb = Eb maj 7 #11
G A C D Eb G = G sus b13
A C D Eb G A = A7 (#9, b13)
Level ten:
It never ends…
Summary
Is this a lot to study? Guess what will help you understand each level faster?
Happy Practicing!