Upper structure triads are three-note chords played over different bass notes to create rich harmonic colors. These triads are typically built from the upper portions of extended chord structures (9th, 11th, and 13th chords) and create distinctive, complex sounds while remaining relatively simple to visualize and execute. For example, playing a C major triad over a D bass note creates a D11 sound.
Harmonic rhythm refers to the pace at which chords change in a piece of music. This aspect of music affects the energy, flow, and emotional impact of a composition just as much as the actual chord choices. Some pieces have slow harmonic rhythm with chords changing every measure or every few measures, creating a spacious, floating quality. Others feature rapid chord changes occurring multiple times per measure, creating momentum and intensity.
Modal interchange is a technique where chords from parallel modes (scales sharing the same tonic) are borrowed and used in a piece. For example, in a song in C major, a musician might borrow chords from C minor, C Dorian, or C Mixolydian modes. This creates interesting harmonic colors and emotional shifts within a piece.
Non-functional harmony refers to chord progressions that don't follow traditional tonal harmony's rules of tension and resolution. Unlike functional harmony (where chords have specific roles leading toward a tonic), non-functional harmony arranges chords based on their sound qualities, color relationships, or other non-traditional organizational principles.
Motivic development is the practice of taking a short musical idea (a motif) and transforming it through various techniques while keeping it recognizable. These techniques include changing the rhythm, altering intervals, inverting the direction, or fragmenting the motif. This creates unity and development in improvisations or compositions.
Pentatonic refers to a musical scale comprising five notes per octave, derived from a selection of notes within the full diatonic scale. Pentatonic scales are characterized by their simplicity and versatility, often used in various musical traditions around the world, including folk, blues, rock, jazz, and traditional Asian music.
In music theory, "diatonic" refers to a system of pitches or musical elements that belong to a specific key or scale. It encompasses the seven notes of a major or minor scale, along with the chords and harmonies derived from those notes within that key.
A digital pattern is a sequence of notes identified by numbers that represent scale degrees rather than specific pitches. Musicians use these number patterns to practice and transpose ideas to different keys easily. For example, the pattern 1-2-3-5 can be played in any key by using the first, second, third, and fifth notes of that key's scale.
In jazz improvisation, a substitution refers to the practice of replacing one chord or harmonic structure with another while maintaining the overall harmonic function or progression of the original composition.
Harmonic generalization is an approach where musicians simplify complex chord progressions by grouping them into broader harmonic areas. Instead of thinking about each individual chord, the player identifies the overall tonal center or harmonic function. This allows for more freedom when improvising over challenging chord changes.
If you’re like me, then there always seems to be a gap between the time you spend transcribing and your growth as an improviser.