A Simple Major Melody: Exploring Diatonic Enclosures and Descending 6ths I’ve been working on a little melodic exercise that I think you’ll find really useful.…
Read Full Blog PostComposition using the 7 diatonic chords from the major scale.
This is an original composition of mine using a common writing tool. all the chords and melody to this piece come from one major scale.
Read Full Blog PostLesson 165: Harmonic Major Modes Over 2-5-1 in Minor
Harmonic Major modes over 2-5-1 in Minor. I’ve been working on using the 7 modes of Harmonic Major over various chords as alternate scale choices.…
Read Full Blog Post7 Note Diminished Scale
Steve Cardenas, one of my favorite guitar players, taught me how to create a 7 note diminished scale. These scales work over Dominant b9 (half/whole)…
Read Full Blog PostComposition “Cuba Reborn”
This a short tune I wrote at the piano for my father Bruce’s birthday. The melody with the bass note creates triad inversions. That was…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 150: Blues Etude – 4 note cell
Here’s a blues etude that uses some different 4 note cells (tetrads) and various scales. By writing an etude you can learn to hear melody…
Read Full Blog PostComposition “Basheer”
I always enjoy writing contra-facts over chord progressions I like to improvise on. This is an easy one that is based on the Gigi Gryce’s…
Read Full Blog PostRing – CD release!
The CD is pressed – here are all the tracks on one post. You can also listen to the whole album for free or buy…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 149: What is This Thing Called Love.
Using only the 1,3,#11,7 Tetrad (or 4 note set) I’ve been using this 1, 3, #11, 7 Tetrad (4 note set) for years in both…
Read Full Blog Post4th mode of Harmonic Major (triad pairs)
Using “triad pairs” has become a popular method to help generate melodic material. I first heard Oliver Nelson use triad pairs in his 1961 solo…
Read Full Blog PostComposition “Maker’s Curse”
I find that composing is a great way to spend time alone and to work out ideas that you may also use when you improvise.…
Read Full Blog PostHot House
I’ve been looking at using Modes of harmonic Major and harmonic minor over the chord progression “What is This Thing Called Love”. The first two…
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