We've had some fun the last two weeks creating V7 chord streams. We now want to take the same approach of using the four inversions of the V7 chord along with its "connecting" chord and apply it to a minor or Dorian mode song. We're a little ahead of ourselves labeling the different inversions. For now, just play through the following m7 chords, and all you need to know that each incarnation of the chord has a different member in the bass.

You could hypothetically just play the chords up and down the fretboard, but remember our important smooth voice leading rule. It's always best to limit chord movements to less than three fret jumps, so we want to inject some connecting chords. What we will add is the next chord up in the Dorian mode (more about our reasons next week), so the connecting chord is a 3-note inversion of the Bm7 chord (ii7).

Like we did with the V7 streams, on each successive row we're moving up the Circle of 5ths and showing you how you can start on a similar stream or cycle. Don't worry about the theory this week, we'll be looking under the hood soon. For now, just play. If you're really ambitious, dig up a lead sheet for Miles Davis' "So What" and apply them.

You'll be in comping heaven.

Here's a PDF of the above for you to download and practice:
Minor7thChordStreams.pdf

Further
Vamps. Minor modal
Static Changes: Connecting Chords
Minor Fun
Minor Blues: Fresh patterns
Connecting Chords

Posted by Ted at November 8, 2012 7:56 AM