Yep - I like that.
Really wish I had more time on my hands to develop a little repeating melody I play into something with more substance. My limited chord knowledge (and time) is preventing me from doing it.
Perhaps if I ever get round to recording it I could approach you for some thoughts.
Cheers Ian !
Yes, I would certainly be happy to share some thoughts on your Melody - and how I tend to go about hanging things on it e.t.c. Be warned, mine is not a very 'schooled' approach ( due to a
serious lack of 'school' :lol: ) . At the outset of my little project , I just had to find a way to begin experimenting - and although I might try and add more adventurous chords and ideas as I develop, it's still been the same aural 'Lego' set approach .
In straight terms ; I tend to play through a small section of the basic chord progression in it's most accessibe form , seeing where the melody notes land , or
could land / be alluded to - then have fun trying to move chord shapes and fingerings under , over , or through the melody notes - that seem to satisfy the ear. As a result , I often find that 'exotic' and technically correct substitutions get
accidentally used - or that ( surprise , surprise ! ) many of our basic chords sit there far better than using exotic for the sake of using exotic.
The crux of it is ( for me) just finding the chord that expresses the
emotion required of that melody note, and / or it's relationship to that which preceeds and follows it.
Two things 'empowered' me really :
1) Joe Pass and his philosophy of keeping things practical and ( relatively ) easy to play on the neck .
2) The two ( working ) session musicians I had met in the last few years , who believed that the ears should have the final decision. Work out the 'Maths' later if you have nothing better to do.
Whilst it's not a straight ahead tutorial video , the 'Evening With Joe Pass' DVD was my 'Road to Damascus' experience. It is basically an informal mix of Joe being interviewed , Joe at rehersal, Joe gives a short 'Masterclass' to the student audience, then a few tunes from his eventual performance. I just feel that you don't have to be a wanabee 'Jazzer' to enjoy the DVD, just interested in how the mind of a past Master 'ticks' when faced with making the elaborate - emminently more practical. What shines throughout , is the fact that it's not a set formula he uses - it's an
attitude. :)
