Here’s a short melody I worked out using minor 3rds descending by half steps. It works well as a V7 to i minor cadence and…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 19: Maj7 #9 #11 Melody
Using unusual modes from scales can help produce some interesting melodies. This major #9 #11 melody comes from the 6th mode of harmonic minor (i.e.…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 18: Long Tones 2
This is a variation of the Long Tone Lesson 16. The 3 step procedure is basically the same: 1. Relaxed Natural in Breath (diaphragmatic breath).…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 17: Intervallic Melody
Using bigger intervals when improvising can help create an interesting contrast to your linear ideas. This is a melody comprised of a spread triad in…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 16: Long Tones
This is one way to practice long tones that I have found very helpful and have modified it slightly over the years. This can be…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 15: Drones and Pedals
Improvising over a Drone or Pedal has been something I’ve always enjoyed. Not only is it relaxing and simple, it really helps me hear scales,…
Read Full Blog PostRSI, Carpal Tunnel, Tendinitis
RSI (repetitive strain injury), carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis can be an extremely frustrating and painful thing to deal with. If you can’t play music…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 14: Diminished Melody
Here is a simple melody that will help you hear diminished as diminished, not merely as a dominant 7(b9). This is fairly easy idea that…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 13: Lydian Melody in 5ths
Playing larger intervals can help to break up more linear ideas in a creative way that still sounds melodic and outlines the harmony clearly. This…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 12: Embellished Triad
Lots of great melodies are no more than a triad with a bit of stepwise embellishment. This exercise takes a spread triad in root position…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 11: Major b9, b13
Finding new ways to construct melodies over a major chord can be challenging as Ionian, Lydian and Lydian augmented seem to dominate the harmonic landscape…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 10: Whole Tone Melody
The whole tone scale can be a bit too transparent to use frequently during improvisation. I’ve found that by conceiving of it both in augmented…
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