From Bebop to Doo Wop, we take a look at how to spell out a harmonic progression with single notes, the fancy technical name being "arpeggios." From the article: "One of the most elementary, but crucial skills in any genre (especially Folk/Bluegrass) is the ability to play (and improvise) in the Diatonic key, no sharps or flats. However, good music isn't just about confining yourself to notes that are within the key center, it's about capitalizing on notes that identify the harmonic structure, too. In other words, it's playing members of the chords. Yes, you can get around them by fumbling around the surrounding notes as 'passing tones,' but ultimately, you need to be making a conscious effort to stress these essential chord tones. It's what makes your improvisation sound 'intentional,' and not just melodic dribble."

Included in the article is a handy two-page drill extracted from the FFcP Studies.

Read article: Spelling out the Chords. Melodically.

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Posted by Ted at August 8, 2009 5:54 AM