Harmonic Generalization

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. Miles Davis and his modal jazz approach often employed harmonic generalization, particularly in albums like "Kind of Blue." Pianist McCoy Tyner also used harmonic generalization extensively, grouping chords into modal centers and using pentatonic scales over these broader areas.