In This Video lesson I go through the process of writing a Contrafact from scratch. There are many methods one can use to do this and I explore various approaches as I slowly work through the process to completion. In this example I use the John Coltrane chord progression to the song “Lazy Bird”
Here’s a brief outline of the process covered in the video.
1. Pick a Tune
2. Reharmonize or simplify the progression
3. Begin Playing through the progression Looking for ideas.
a. Try targeting or working with the original melody notes.
b. Try other upper structure color notes 9s b9s #9s 11s #11s13s b13s etc.
c. Explore Common Tones and Pedal Points
4. Once You Find and Idea Write It Down And Continue
In This Example The Pedal is A Restriction That Helps Limit Our Melodic Choices.
5. As You Get Melodies, Write them Down.
Use Your Ear To Continue The Phrases.
Is This Case, Within The Note Set Restriction.
6. Make a Rough Draft Chart That You Can Play With A Group.
Continue Editing And Changing, It’s Never Done.
7. After Playing The Piece, Make More Edits and Re Write the Chart.
~Enjoy!
You Can purchase my Book Of Contrafacts here:
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Matt Villinger Playing through the finished Contrafact “Wings Rest” based on John Coltrane’s tune “Lazy Bird”
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I put together a book of 52 contrafacts I’ve written over the years for anyone interested! Some tunes include: Countdown in 5/4,
Woody and You, Serenity, I Didn’t Know What Time It Was, I Hear A Rhapsody, Nuages, Satellite in 7/4, Blues, Solar, Yardbird Suite, Like Someone In Love, Lazy Bird, Recorda Me, All The Things You Are, Four, Minority in 7/4, There Will Never Be Another You, Cyclic Episode, Alone Together,
Is That So, I’ll Remember April in 3/4, All Of Me in 7/4, Well You Needn’t, Inner Urge in 7/4, What Is This Thing Called Love in 11/4, U.M.M.G., In Your Own Sweet Way, Beatrice in 6/4, Peace and more.
More resources on writing contrafacts: