Improv 2
Unit 1: Pentatonics (Little Sunflower)
The Major-Six/Minor-Seven Pentatonic Scale
Pentatonic Sequencing
Joe Zawinul on “A Remark You Made”
Creating Variety
Elena Pinderhughes on “Completely”
Pentatonic Expansions
Unit 2: Pentatonics (Little Sunflower)
The Major-Six/Minor-Seven Pentatonic Scale
Pentatonic Sequencing
Joe Zawinul on “A Remark You Made”
Creating Variety
Elena Pinderhughes on “Completely”
Pentatonic Expansions
Please use the lead sheets provided for all exercises. This is the copyrighted melody and specific chord progression we'll be using for this unit.
Lead Sheets
- Part 1: Internalizing the Melody
- Play the first note of the melody on your instrument. This is your reference pitch.
- Sing the melody slowly and unaccompanied with total intervallic accuracy. It does not need to be in time. I've included lyrics on the lead sheet, but you don't necessarily have to sing them.
- Spot-check your singing as you go by checking a reference note on your instrument. Also check that you ended on the correct pitch with a final reference note.
- Here's an example (please forgive my voice, as I was sick when recording)
- Play the first note of the melody on your instrument. This is your reference pitch.
- Part 2: Internalizing the Root Progression
- Play the root of the first chord on your instrument.
- Sing the root of each chord slowly with total intervallic accuracy.
- Check your work as you go if you're uncertain. Check that you ended on the correct pitch by playing a reference note on your instrument.
- Here's an example (please forgive my voice, as I was sick when recording)
- Part 3: Half-Note Bass Line
- This exercise should be done in time with a metronome.
- Play a line of continuous half notes that target the root of each chord. The roots will occupy beats 1 and 2 of each measure. For beats 3 and 4, play an approach note to the forthcoming root. Your approach should be either from a half-step below or a scale degree above the target. Be aware of the "key of the moment" when targeting diatonically from above -- the interval may be either a m2 or a M2. Avoid repeating any notes in your bass line.
- Here's an example