May 2004 Archives

During this session we concentrated on the dominant bebop scale. We discussed the scale's rational (with David Baker's "How to Play Bebop as a reference):

• Simply put - the added chromatic between b7 and 8 makes the scale "come out right".
• The chord tones line up with the beats of each measure.

and the "rules" about using it.

• Over a V7 chord, play the dominant bebop scale starting from the V7's root.
• Over a ii minor, play the dominant bebop scale starting from the V7's root related to the ii chord. e.g. D-7 would use the G7 dominant bebop scale.
• The scale is mainly played in successive 8th note phrases.
• When learning the scale, it's best to start scale on the downbeat, on a chord tone.

We then went through some cycle of 5ths exercises including:

• 1-2-1-2
• 1-2-3-1
• 1-2-3-5
• 1-3-5-3
• 1-5-3-5
• 1-7-b7-1
• 1-7-b7-9-6-5
• 1-b7-6-1
• the entire dominant bebop scales ascending and descending

Finally, we jammed on Impressions (without bass!).

A certain portion of fun was achieved.

"I like to be moved. I like to feel things. I like to feel music because that is the way I am... I want to enjoy myself. "(Elvin Jones - Downbeat, 1973)

Just learned that Artt Frank will be unable to attend our next Workshop (May 27). We're disappointed, and hope he feels better soon. Watch out, we're now left to our own devices!

Well, I think I have this site working 100% again... I lost the Hard Drive on the previous web server, and had backups of some but not all of the stuff on said Hard Drive.

Anyway, welcome back. Let's see, where were we. We've met on April 15, 29th and May 13th, since my last post. We've been hitting scale theory, and how to practice scales pretty hard. We've introduced the Bebop scales. We've also looked at using the "Circle of 5ths (4ths)" as one way to practice scales. While we were at it, we did some "Cycle exercises". We played 1-2-1-2, 1-2-3-1, 1-2-3-5, 1-2-3-#4 through the cycle.

We also talked a little bit about form, and how the "Sonata Allegro Form", with it's components (intro., exposition, development, recapitulation, and coda), is still used in many jazz compositions/performances. Check out this essay for an excellent discussion on the subject of form.

Finally, last time, we had the two groups play for each other, with comments in between. It was just like a performance, and everyone was gracious with their comments. At the end, we had a big "blues jam".

Next time, we're looking forward to having jazz bebop drummer Artt Frank, come and share his insights with us. Artt will perform with Dennis on bass, Chuck Lamb (hopefully) on piano, and Tim on trumpet. Should be fun!