Translate

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

257. MAINLY (1/2 OF THE TIME) MELODIC (ALTERNATING MAJOR-MINOR 3RDS) IMPROVISATION "WALKING" WITH CHROMATIC DECORATIONS (OSCILLATIONS BY 2NDS) IN DIATONIC SCALES

MAINLY (1/2 OF THE TIME) MELODIC (ALTERNATING MAJOR-MINOR 3RDS) IMPROVISATION "WALKING" WITH CHROMATIC DECORATIONS (OSCILLATIONS BY 2NDS) IN DIATONIC SCALES


There is a type of improvisation where the  main and most often (at least 1/2 of the time) size of steps in the Improvisational "walking" is the intervals of 3rds in other words "meloding walking" , and in particular alternating major and minor 3rds. Then about 1/3 of the time we move with chromatic steps of intervals of 2nds, and particular when going up or down we oscillate around a note with an interval of 2nd (chromatic embellishments) and less often (less than 1/3 of the time) with harmonic intervals in other words  intervals of 4ths, 5ths or larger than 8ths.

This type of improvisation works well in diatonic scales where there is maximum number of triad chords made from alternating intervals of major-minor 3rds. On the other had in chromatic minor scale (harmonic minor, double harmonic minor, melodic minor , parachromatic etc) the "walking" with intervals of 2nds is more convenient as there not many triad major or minor chords .

Such type of improvisation is quite often in folk Irish music or early New Orleans jazz. This is the cae also with Andes improvisational folk music with Zampona pan-flutes.

Such improvisation are to be contrasted with the usual "improvisational walking" e.g. of Stephane Grappelli which is mainly with steps by intervals of 2nds.

Similarly improvisational counter-melodies in Greek folk Bouzouki music which are mainly with steps by intervals of 2nds.

The keys to a nice flow of improvisation as expressed in many cultures folk music are 

Simplicity in the harmony (triads of harmonic pairs of chords) 
Simplicity in melodic themes 
Simplicity in rhythmic variations of the melodic themes and repetitions