https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUBZB4jDqW0&ab_channel=RoryHoffmanMusic
In this technique we utilize mainly 3 notes chords of the 3 highest strings of the guitar in such a way that
the highest note and string is always the note of the melody, and in particular a melodic center (the other notes of the melody are played but with no underlying chord necessarily.
A CHORD AS A GROUP OF MODULATION-VARIATIONS OF MELODIC THEMES OVER THE CHORD.
The elements of the group are modulations-variations, and the generators of the group are defined by the intervals of the chord. The exact definition of the variation of a chord-fitting melodic theme is such that it holds group closure to the operation of composition of variations. E.g. idempotent a^2=1, where repeating a shift by an interval is with its complementary interval .
The most relevant layers of the melody is the 1st layer of simplicial submelody, and the 2nd layer of the arpeggios over the chord.
The part of a poetic measure corresponding to a chord, is of course a guide too.
This idea is mainly the one described in 8-bars blocks songs in previeous posts .
The first 4 bars, have 2 chords one per 2 bars, and the chords and melodic themes as well
have the pattern of the 8 bars
Chords A A B B
A A C C
Now each line of 4 bars (AABB, or AACC) may be conceive as a poetic line
e.g. of 15-sylables poetry .
As we have remarked (see posts 450 447) the melody has 3 layers
1) 1st layer The 1st simplicial submelody or chord progression
2) 2nd layer The 2nd simpicial submelody or arpeggio
3) 3rd layer The chromatic ripples.
A) The 3rd layer because it is mainly waves by intervals of 3rds is improvised best or composed on the fretboard of a string instrument (including violin) but also with the slide of a trombone. With digital instruments my favorite is the digital chromatic harp Thumbjam and of course the piano keyboard.. Harmonicas with cyclic tuning are also convenient
B) The 2nd layer, is best improvised or composed with a string instrument which plays chords (ukulele, guitar etc) and especially if it is tuned with an overtones tuning system like on Dobro guitar. For digital such string instruments my favorite is the Geoshred. But if the melody is diatonic it can be with the 2-dimensional Musix Pro.
C) The 1st layer are the bridges of the chord transitions. The most convenient instruments are again the string instruments that play chords (ukulele, guitar etc) bass instruments, but also the digital chromatic harp and of course the piano keyboard.
1) As it known the most common and most often used due to its beauty is the harmonic chord transition 5M7->1M. It is a relaxing resolution. Ii is strictly diatonic transition.
2) The 2nd best in beauty chord transition and also widely used both in classical and fol music is the melodic chord transition to the major relative chord. Thus the 1M->6M7 (or 4M->2M7, or 5M->3M7).It is not directly a diatonic transition but in the general context of chromatic diatonic transitions. It is a tired resolution.
3) The third best chord transition is the melodic chord transition to the lower minor relative chord, e.g.
1M->6m (or 4M->2m or 5M->3m) . It is a easy slip to sadness
It is directly a diatonic transition.
4) The 4th best chord transition is the chromatic chord transition e.g. 1M->2m
In previous posts we have defined an at least 2 layer structure of melodies. The 1st simplicial sub-melody where for each chord there is one note of it/ The chord relation usually are translated to intervals among the notes of the 1st simplicial sub-melody. Nevertheless if the chord sounds for many measures (bars) as e.g. in 12 bars Blues, then we may have a 3 layer structure of the melody and a 2nd simplicial sub-melody with notes inside a chord which are essentially an arpeggio of the chord To this we add the 3rd last layer of chromatic waving mainly with intervals of 2nds (tails) . This 3-layers structure of the melodies and the corresponding 3-speeds in a melody ( harmonic, melodic (arpeggios) , chromatic(tails)) is the key to understand but also to compose beautiful melodies
For example for Aegean islands (Greece) improvisational folk melodies (mandinades) condylies) with violin or Lyra, the next factors prevail.
1) "Poetic meters" over the same note sometimes notes up to 8 notes. The density of the notes is high. E.g. with 4 notes per measure-bar and a beat of 80-100 bars per minute gives a tempo of 320-400 beats-notes per minute.
2) Straight vectors ascending or descending usually of 4 or 5 notes so as to reach a new chord neighborhood.
3) Mainly waves by intervals of 2nds (chromatic) inside intervals of 3rds (melodic, either standing or ascending descending, and usually inside a chord so as to reach the neighborhood of a new chord. The simplistic sub-melody of such a waving melody is essentially an arpeggio of the underlying chord.
4) The overtones tuning of string instruments and the way the trombone and in general brass instruments functions are perfect matches for this general melodic -chromatic structure of the melodies in improvisations. Similarly for the melodic-chromatic 2-dimensional arrangement of notes in the Music Pro.
The general rhythmic harmonic pattern of 16 bars blues denoted by 16BB is the next
Let X1 X2 X3 be an harmonic triad of chords , in other words consecutive in the wheel by 4ths. They may be major or minor chords then the general 12 bars blues rhythmic-harmonic pattern is the next
| X2 | X2 | X2 | X2 |
| X2 | X2 | X3 | X3 |
| X3 | X1 | X3 | X1 |
| X1 | X1 | X2 | X2 |
Still another pattern of 16bars Blues that is often met in New Orleans jazz songs by the group Tuba Skinny
is the next
1M 1M 1M 1M
4M 4M 1M 1M
1M 1M 1M 1M
5M7 5M7 1M 1M
The melodic themes follow the pattern of the 4 lines of the block . That is the pattern A B A C.
If the Xi X1 X23 are major denoted by M or minors then we have 8 types of such general 12 bars blues rhythmic-harmonic patterns
MMM
MMm
mMM
MmM
mmm
mmM
MmM
mMm
A usual rhythm is 120 bpm and 4 beats per bar. This gives that one such 16BB has duration about 30 seconds thus about 6-8 repetitions of this 12BB pattern will give a song a little less or more than 3 minutes duration.
Now the general concept of composing sings based on the 16BB patterns is based on the next
a) We start with a 16BB as unit block and we modulate it or transpose it about 6 times
b) We alter the 16BB pattern substituting any of the instances of each of the Xi chords i=1,2,3 with relative minor or major chords.
The difference in easiness and familiarity when composing songs based on thsi method compared to no method, is as the difference of walking by feet compared to moving by a car (the car=12BB pattern)
In the guitar such an improvisation is mostly easy if the guitar is tuned in one of the open overtones tuning. E.g. Open D tuning.
In order to create the melody we may proceed as follows.
1)We compose 2 or 3 simplicial sub-melodies one for each part of the song , with one note per chord and bar (strictly speaking the 1st simplicial submelody with one note per chord and the second simplicial submelody which is also an arpeggio, with one note per bar inside teh chord) , over the cycle of chords preferably at a chromatic sequence ascending and descending . In this way we may have more than one note of the simplicial sub-melody per chord but only one per chord and bar. This involves that we compose the orientation of the melody inside the chord, up, or down or waving.
2) We create moves or waves or cycles for each note of the simplicial sub-melody by sequencing during the chord with two types of notes a fast (usually outside the chord) and a slow of double duration on the notes of the chord again ascending or descending with smaller waves. I this way more than 50% of the time of the duration of the melody will be notes of the chord. This means that we apply a "poetic meter" in the melody, here the trochaic which is also the swing and vals. If we use keyboards (and this may also be e.g. digital harp in the tablet as in ThumbJam) , the way to create the melody is the next. For each lines in the 16 Bar Blocks which is usually a pair of chords , we layout the chords in the keyboard to see their mutual topology and overlapping. Then we compose 5-6 versions of the melody, by one up or down wave within each chord, which are usually one vector-wave for half or full the chord (123 , or 1234565 or 543 for 3-notes chords or 7654321 for chords with 7nth etc in trochaic poetic meter) . We use balancing structure e.g. if the first is up the next is down and vice verse. But two ups or two downs are for emphasis too. We may split the vector-wave to arpeggio and tail or only arpeggio. We choose the version that we like best and expresses best the emotions we want. We use not one only octave necessarily but 2 or even 3. Starting from high, in high octaves and descending down 1 or 2 octaves is a bird-like melodic approach. If we use harmonica the themes waves for each chord or pair of chords are quite more free. If we use guitar , violin , flute, it is more or less as with the keyboard but again a little more free to follow the constraints and conveniences of the instrument.
3) We may apply the pattern of 4 waves-cycles. Initial idea-variational continuation-contrasting mutation-closure. E.g. Down cycle-down cycle modulated-up cycle-wave shrinking and ending to middle note. Or vice versa Up cycle-Up cycle modulated-Down cycle-wave shrinking and ending to middle note. Usually this structure copies the the rhythmic structure of the 8, 12 ,16 or 32 bars Blues It is important to realize that such a wave or cycle need not be 100% over a chord but it can be over a pair of chords as chord-transition theme (x% over one chord y% over the next x%+y%=100%) and sometimes as themes over three chords. Thus each melodic theme of the 4 phases of it may correspond to 4 bars and the 4 melodic themes may rhythmically correspond to the 4 times the 4 bars (1 cycles of 16BB). Therefore this involves that we compose the bridging transition to the next chord.
Thus
|
4) We arrange a continuous sound instrument to play the simplicial sub-melody only and a discrete sound (guitar mandolin etc) to play the full waves melody.
We may summarize in short
1) We compose the simplicial sub-melody per bar and chord, which defines the orientation of the waves within a chord.
2) We compose the poetic measure of the melodic themes (long short notes combinations) . When creating melodic themes over the same poetic meter, to remain in the same poetic meter we may repeat a note or we may jump by a melodic or harmonic interval (3rds or 5ths and their inverses).
3) We compose the bridging transition to the next chord
4) We arrange for continuous sound (simplicial sub-melody and bass) and discrete sound instruments.
Also at the meso (=medium) and micro layer, the main 4 factors are
1) Up, Down or flat vector-waving and is meaning (including which octave)
2) Density of notes per time unit (many notes theme, very few notes theme)
3) Percentage of harmonic or melodic intervals (acceleration) to the chromatic intervals (deceleration).
4) The poetic micro-meter and poetic macro-meter in the melodic theme.
For example for Aegean islands (Greece) improvisational folk melodies (mandinades) condylies) with violin or Lyra, the next factors prevail.
1) "Poetic meters" over the same note sometimes notes up to 8 notes. The density of the notes is high. E.g. with 4 notes per measure-bar and a beat of 80-100 bars per minute gives a tempo of 320-400 beats-notes per minute.
3) Straight vectors ascending or descending usually of 4 or 5 notes so as to reach a new chord neighborhood.
2) Mainly waves by intervals of 2nds (chromatic) inside intervals of 3rds (melodic, either standing or ascending descending, and usually inside a chord so as to reach the neighborhood of a new chord. The simplistic sub-melody of such a waving melody is essentially an arpeggio of the underlying chord.
If we are capturing the diatonic mode with a pair of chords in chromatic relation (in harmonicas it would be an hexatonic harmonica) then the 12BB pattern will give if we have a theme for a single type of chord.
Ionian-Ionian
Lydian-Ionian
Mixolydian Lydian
Myxolydian-Ionian
If we want a diatonic model per pair of chords then X2 X3 is a Lydian mode and X1 X2 is an Ionian mode, thus
Ionian
Lydian
Myxolydian
Ionian
And for hexatonic harmonicas with a chromatic pair of chords it would be the chords
(3m 4M)= Lydian
(3m 4M)=Lydian
(4M, 5M)=Myxolydian
(7d 1M)=Ionian
We may as well utilize 32 bars blues. There are two patterns that I have used for this.
The 1st is the next pattern (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N95yzhLyCcg&ab_channel=DrKCostas ) of one only part 32BB.
1M 1M 1M 1M 1M 1M 1M 1M 1M 1M 1M 1M 5M7 2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 5M7 2m 2m 2m 5M7 5M7 5M7 5M7 1M 1M 1M 1M 1M
The 2nd pattern is simpler and more symmetric but of two parts of 16BB.
A part
1M 1M 1M 1M
1M 1M 5M7 5M7
5M7 5M7 5M7 5M7
5M7 5M7 1M 1M
and B part
1M 1M 1M 1M
1M 1M 4M 4M
4M 4M 4M 4M
4M 4M 1M 1M or
1M 1M 1M 1M
1M 1M 4M 4M
4M 4M 4M 4M
5M7 5M7 1M 1M
Thus here we have two parts 16BB which make 32BB.
A type of variation of this involving the 2m instead of 4M is the next
A part
1M 1M 1M 1M
1M 1M 5M7 5M7
5M7 5M7 5M7 5M7
5M7 5M7 1M 1M
and B part
1M 1M 1M 1M
1M 1M 2m 2m
2m 2m 2m 2m
2m 2m 1M 1M
or
1M 1M 1M 1M
1M 1M 2m 2m
2m 2m 2m 2m
5M7 5M7 1M 1M
Still another pattern of 16bars Blues that si often met in New Orleans songs by the group Tuba Skiny
is the next
1M 1M 1M 1M
4M 4M 1M 1M
1M 1M 1M 1M
5M7 5M7 1M 1M
and in harmonic minor (eolian mode)
6m 6m 6m 6m
2m 2m 6m 6m
6m 6m 6m 6m
3M7 3M7 6m 6m
also in Phrygian mode
3m 3m 3m 3m
6m 6m 3m 3m
3m 3m 3m 3m
7M7 7M7 3m 3m
The melodic themes follow the pattern of the 4 lines of the block . That is the pattern A B A C.
WHAT THE LISTENER NOTICES MAINLY WHEN LISTENING TO MUSIC
A listener notices mainly the next factors with the following order due to simplicity of perception
1) The rhythm if it is slow or fast
2) The timbre of the instrument or voice that sounds the melody
3) The emotional meaning of the melody (sad, happy, resolving to serenity or escalating to tension etc)
4) The structure of the arrangement (few or many instruments etc)
5) The emotional meaning of the harmony behind the melody
THE 6 BASIC FACTORS IN THE PERCEPTION AND COMPOSITION OF MELODIC SENTENCE (THEME)
The 6 basic factors are
1) The macroscopic parts morphology of the melody (macro layer) .
E.g.
A1= 1ST IDEA MELODIC THEME OR SENTENCE (INNOVATION) , SYLLABLES 1-4
A2=1ST IDEA AGAIN REPEAT OR VARIATE -ESCALATE (MIMIC), SYLLABLES 4-8
A3=MUTATION-CONTINUATION (ASSIMILATION 2ND INOVATION) SYLLABLES 9-12
A4 =CLOSURE WITH ASCENZA OR CADENZA
(COMPLETION INTEGRATION ) SYLLABLES 13-15
We may permute the 4 parts to
A1= 1ST IDEA MELODIC THEME OR SENTENCE (INNOVATION) , SYLLABLES 1-4
A3=MUTATION-CONTINUATION -CONTRAST IDEA (ASSIMILATION 2ND INOVATION) SYLLABLES 4-8
A2=1ST IDEA AGAIN REPEAT OR VARIATE (MIMIC), SYLLABLES 9-12
A4 =CLOSURE WITH ASCENZA OR CADENZA (COMPLETION INTEGRATION ) SYLLABLES 13-15
2) The Quality: Chromatic, melodic , harmonic character of the melodic theme (micro layer) . Analogy of intervals of 2nds (chromatic) 3rds or 6th (melodic) and 4th or 5th (harmonic ) It is the arpeggio-tail aspect of the melodic theme
3) Chord harmony of the melodic theme (micro layer). Order of appearance of intervals of 3rds minor or major and where, which is essentially the harmony of the underlying chord(s). The 3 notes of the chord symbolize also the 3 types of waves up-ending wave, middle-ending wave , down-ending wave.
4) Cycles dynamics of the melodic theme (middle layer). Wave-up, Wave-down dynamics or topology of the melody (structure of "Dolphin words" as termed elsewhere in this book). This includes cadenzas and ascents. Besides the trinity wave-up, wave-down and wave horizontal, we have also mainly a trinity again of further waving. Thus a wave up is very often through 3 sub-waves a) long wave up, b) short wave down, c) long wave up. While a wave down is very often through 3 sub-waves a) long wave down, b) short wave up, c) long wave down. And a flat horizontal wave is most often through 3 sub-waves a) short wave up or down , b) short wave down or up c) short wave up or down.
5) Power of 2 micro-rhythmic expansion of the melodic theme (nano layer, quantitative poetic micro-meter and syllabic poetic macro-meter) . The use of orders of rhythmic speed as powers of 2 (whole, notes, half, quarters, eighths etc). The poetic macro-meter is the constant number of syllables in the lines of a poem (e.g. 15-syllables poetry). This is usually translated in the melody that the melodic-themes bridges of pairs of chords are always of the same duration or number of notes as in the poetry
Usually we may impose a poetic measure or meter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S13Tg3RAUW4&ab_channel=OSUSchoolofWriting%2CLiteratureandFilm) as combination or pattern of long-short notes where the long has double duration compared to the short
E.g. alternation of long-short, is the trochaic poetic measure. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBTKb5a1gSA&ab_channel=LocalGemsPoetryPress)The long note is in the chord, the short may be outside the chord. In this way we know that the melody fits the underlying chord. The trochaic poetic meter is identical with the swing rhythm of dancing. The word also trochaic in ancient Greek has the same root with the
wheel= trochos and it means "of the type of wheel". Other poetic measure can be applied as long as they are divided in to two parts of long-shorts, so that one part has longer duration and must be from notes mainly inside the underlying chord, while the shorter part possibly from notes mainly outside the chord.
6) Instrument's or voice's timbre (super nano layer) . The timbre and nature of the playing instrument (continue sound, string or wind etc)
When improvising or composing the most important are the nano, micro middle layer and finally the macro layer)
IF WE WANT TO SIMPLIFY IT TO 3 ONLE FACTORS THEN THESE ARE
A) 1) The macroscopic parts morphology of the melody (macro layer)
B) 4) Cycles dynamics of the melodic theme (middle layer). Wave-up, Wave-down dynamics or topology of the melody (structure of "Dolphin words" as termed elsewhere in this book). This includes cadenzas and ascents. This may include the nano-rhythms in the theme (notes duration divided by powers of 2 or nano-layer)
C) 3) Chord harmony of the melodic theme (micro layer). Order of appearance of intervals of 3rds minor or major and where, which is essentially the harmony of the underlying chord(s). This may include percentage of intervals of 3rds or higher (arpeggio parts) and intervals of 2nd (tail parts).
Also at the meso (=medium) and micro layer, the main 4 factors are
1) Up, Down or flat vector-waving and is meaning (including which octave)
2) Density of notes per time unit (many notes theme, very few notes theme)
3) Percentage of harmonic or melodic intervals (acceleration) to the chromatic intervals (deceleration).
4) The poetic micro-meter and macro-metter in the melodic theme.
WHAT THE LISTENER NOTICES MAINLY WHEN LISTENING TO MUSIC
A listener notices mainly the next factors with the following order due to simplicity of perception
1) The rhythm if it is slow or fast
2) The timbre of the instrument or voice that sounds the melody (is continuous like violin or flute , or discrete like mandolin or guitar etc)
3) The emotional meaning of the melody (sad, happy, resolving to serenity or escalating to tension etc)
4) The structure of the arrangement (few or many instruments etc)
5) The emotional meaning of the harmony behind the melody
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcSLudnKFPA&list=PLDD865B862A06C1BD&ab_channel=DancingCatProduction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysewhGEybnI&list=PLDD865B862A06C1BD&index=13&ab_channel=DancingCatProduction
See also posts 363, 359, 332
We add here a simple technique to improvise over such 8BB chords patterns too with the tenor trombone which emphasizes the glissando ability of the trombone..
We must notice that from any note we are in the diatonic scale during a chord there is always a note of the chord at most an interval of 3rd away!
1) So the method is tho start with an arbitrary note and correct it with the slide by at most an interval of 3rd to a note that fits the chord.
2) When we want a much higher or lower note during the chord or because the chord changed we just blow harder or softer for a higher or lower overtone (partial) at the same position and then we correct it if necessary with the slide!
3) The whole process becomes easier if we are on the 3rd octave of overtones where the overtones form the major tonal chord (with a 7nth) . And for this the best idea is to utilize a french-horn mouthpiece for the tenor trombone!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U0bQipcsg0&ab_channel=T%C3%A9l%C3%A9Confinement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gPttpNcn_g&ab_channel=WorldStreetMusic
A1= 1ST IDEA MELODIC THEME OR SENTENCE (INNOVATION) , SYLLABLES 1-4
A2=1ST IDEA AGAIN REPEAT OR VARIATE -ESCALATE (MIMIC), SYLLABLES 4-8
A3=MUTATION-CONTRASTING-CONTINUATION (ASSIMILATION 2ND INOVATION) SYLLABLES 9-12
A4 =CLOSURE WITH ASCENZA OR CADENZA
(COMPLETION INTEGRATION ) SYLLABLES 13-15
We may permute the 4 parts to
A1= 1ST IDEA MELODIC THEME OR SENTENCE (INNOVATION) , SYLLABLES 1-4
A3=MUTATION-CONTINUATION -CONTRAST IDEA (ASSIMILATION 2ND INOVATION) SYLLABLES 4-8
A2=1ST IDEA AGAIN REPEAT OR VARIATE (MIMIC), SYLLABLES 9-12
A4 =CLOSURE WITH ASCENZA OR CADENZA (COMPLETION INTEGRATION ) SYLLABLES 13-15
THE rest 5 BASIC FACTORS IN THE PERCEPTION AND COMPOSITION OF MELODIC SENTENCE (THEME)
The rest 5 basic factors are
2) Chromatic, melodic , harmonic character. Analogy of intervals of 2nds (chromatic) 3rds or 6th (melodic) and 4th or 5th (harmonic ) It is the arpeggio-tail aspect of the melodic theme
3) Chord harmony. Order of appearance of intervals of 3rds which is essentially the harmony of the underlying chord(s)
4) Cycles dynamics. Wave-up, Wave-down dynamics or topology of the melody (structure of "Dolphin words" as termed elsewhere in this book). This includes cadenzas and ascents.
5) Power of 2 rhythmic expansion. The use of orders of rhythmic speed as powers of 2
6) Instrument or voice timbre. The timbre and nature of the playing instrument (continue sound, string or wind etc)
The general rhythmic harmonic pattern of 12 bars blues denoted by 12BB CONTAINS THE NEXT 8-BARS BLUES PATTERN
They are in improvisational monotonicity and simplicity between the 1-chord improvisation for meditation and the 12 bars blues improvisations.
Let X1 X2 X3 be an harmonic triad of chords , in other words consecutive in the wheel by 4ths. They may be major or minor chords then the general 12 bars blues rhythmic-harmonic pattern is the next
| X2 | X2 | X2 | X2 |
| X3 | X3 | X2 | X2 |
| X1 | X1 | X2 | X2 |
THE 8-BARS BLUES PATTERN IS ONLY THE NEXT WITH 2 CHORD OR 3 CHORDS
| X2 | X2 | X2 | X2 |
| X1 | X1 | X2 | X2 |
| X2 | X2 | X3 | X3 |
| X1 | X1 | X2 | X2 |
In the general scheme we might allow for any arrangement of X1 ,X2 X3 on he above squares
If the Xi X1 X2, X3 AS 3 CHORDS are major denoted by M or minors then we have 8 types of such general 12 bars blues rhythmic-harmonic patterns
MMM
MMm
mMM
MmM
mmm
mmM
MmM
mMm
If the Xi , X1 X2 AS TWO ONLY CHORDS are major denoted by M or minors denoted by m then we have 4 types of such general 8 bars blues rhythmic-harmonic patterns.
MM
Mm
mM
mm
Here we do not restrict that X2 has to be in harmonic relation with X1, but it can be also in melodic relation or chromatic relation.
A usual rhythm is 120 bpm and 2,3, or 4 beats per bar.
This gives that one such 8BB has duration at most about 8 seconds thus about 6-8 repetitions of this 8BB pattern will give a song a little less or more than 3 minutes duration.
Now the general concept of composing sings based on the 12bB patterns is based on the next
a) We start with a 8BB as unit block and we modulate it or transpose it about 6-9 times
b) We alter the 8BB pattern substituting any of the instances of each of the Xi chords i=1,2 with relative minor or major chords if the X1 X2 is an harmonic pair. And in general with any other diatonic chord if not.
In the guitar such an improvisation is mostly easy if the guitar is tuned in one of the open overtones tuning. E.g. Open D tuning.
Also at the meso (=medium) and micro layer, the main 4 factors are
1) Up, Down or flat vector-waving and is meaning (including which octave)
2) Density of notes per time unit (many notes theme, very few notes theme)
3) Percentage of harmonic or melodic intervals (acceleration) to the chromatic intervals (deceleration).
4) The poetic micro-meter and poetic macro-meter in the melodic theme.
In order to create the melody we may proceed as follows.
1)We compose 2 or 3 simplicial sub-melodies one for each part of the song , with one note per chord and bar , over the cycle of chords preferably at a chromatic sequence ascending and descending . In this way we may have more than one note of the simplicial sub-melody per chord but only one per chord and bar.
If we use keyboards (and this may also be e.g. digital harp in the tablet as in ThumbJam) , the way to create the melody is the next. For each lines in the 16 Bar Blocks which is usually a pair of chords , we layout the chords in the keyboard to see their mutual topology and overlapping. Then we compose 5-6 versions of the melody, by one up or down wave within each chord, which are usually one vector-wave for half or full the chord (123 , or 1234565 or 543 for 3-notes chords or 7654321 for chords with 7nth etc in trochaic poetic meter) . We use balancing structure e.g. if the first is up the next is down and vice verse. But two ups or two downs are for emphasis too. We may split the vector-wave to arpeggio and tail or only arpeggio. We choose the version that we like best and expresses best the emotions we want. We use not one only octave necessarily but 2 or even 3. Starting from high, in high octaves and descending down 1 or 2 octaves is a bird-like melodic approach. If we use harmonica the themes waves for each chord or pair of chords are quite more free. If we use guitar , violin , flute, it is more or less as with the keyboard but again a little more free to follow the constraints and conveniences of the instrument.
2) We create moves or waves or cycles for each note of the simplicial sub-melody by sequencing during the chord with two types of notes a fast (usually outside the chord) and a slow of double duration on the notes of the chord again ascending or descending with smaller waves. I this way more than 50% of the time of the duration of the melody will be notes of the chord. We may apply the pattern of 4 waves-cycles. Initial idea- variational continuation-contrasting mutation-closure. E.g. Down cycle-down cycle modulated-up cycle-wave shrinking and ending to middle note. Or vice versa Up cycle-Up cycle modulated-Down cycle-wave shrinking and ending to middle note. It is important to realize that such a wave or cycle need not be 100% over a chord but it can be over a pair of chords as chord-transition theme (x% over one chord y% over the next x%+y%=100%) and sometimes as themes over three chords. Thus each melodic theme of the 4 phases of it may correspond to 4 bars and the 4 melodic themes may rhythmically correspond to the 4 times the 4 bars (2 cycles of 8BB)
3) We arrange a continuous sound instrument to play the simplicial sub-melody only and a discrete sound (guitar mandolin etc) to play the full waves melody.
Thus
| X2 | X2 | X2 | X2 |
=1st theme
| X3 | X3 | X2 | X2 |
| X1 | X1 | X2 | X2 |
We may summarize in short
1) We compose the simplicial sub-melody per bar and chord, which defines the orientation of the waves within a chord.
2) We compose the poetic measure of the melodic themes (long short notes combinations)
3) We compose the bridging transition to the next chord
4) We arrange for continuous sound (simplicial sub-melody and bass) and discrete sound instruments.
For example for Aegean islands (Greece) improvisational folk melodies (mandinades) condylies) with violin or Lyra, the next factors prevail.
1) "Poetic meters" over the same note sometimes notes up to 8 notes. The density of the notes is high. E.g. with 4 notes per measure-bar and a beat of 80-100 bars per minute gives a tempo of 320-400 beats-notes per minute.
3) Straight vectors ascending or descending usually of 4 or 5 notes so as to reach a new chord neighborhood.
2) Mainly waves by intervals of 2nds (chromatic) inside intervals of 3rds (melodic, either standing or ascending descending, and usually inside a chord so as to reach the neighborhood of a new chord. The simplistic sub-melody of such a waving melody is essentially an arpeggio of the underlying chord.
An example of such a way of composition is the song of Edith Piaf , la vie en rose.
Examples is music by the trombonist Cesar B
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U0bQipcsg0&ab_channel=T%C3%A9l%C3%A9Confinement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gPttpNcn_g&ab_channel=WorldStreetMusic
The difference in easiness and familiarity when composing songs based on this method compared to no method, is as the difference of walking by feet compared to moving by a car (the car=8BB pattern)
We add here a simple technique to improvise over such 8BB chords patterns too with the tenor trombone which emphasizes the glissando ability of the trombone..
We must notice that from any note we are in the diatonic scale during a chord there is always a note of the chord at most an interval of 3rd away!
1) So the method is tho start with an arbitrary note and correct it with the slide by at moist an interval of 3rd to a note that fits the chord
2) When we want to a much higher or lower note during the chord or because the chord changed we just blow harder or softer for a higher or lower overtone (partia) at the same position and then we correct it if necessary with the slide!
3) The whole process becomes easier if we are on the 3rd octave of overtones where the overtones form the major tonal chord (with a 7nth) . And for thsi the best idea is to utilize a french-horn mouthpiece for the tenor trombone!
If we are capturing the diatonic mode with a pair of chords in chromatic relation (in harmonicas it would be an hexatonic harmonica) then the 8BB pattern will give if we have a theme for a single type of chord.
Ionian-Ionian
Myxolydian-Ionian
or
Ionian-Lydian
Myxolydian-Ionian
If we want a diatonic model per pair of chords then X2 X3 is a Lydian mode and X1 X2 is an Ionian mode, thus
Lydian
Ionian
And for hexatonic harmonicas with a chromatic pair of chords it would be the chords
(3m 4M)= Lydian
(7d 1M)=Ionian
The general rhythmic harmonic pattern of 12 bars blues denoted by 12BB is the next
Let X1 X2 X3 be an harmonic triad of chords , in other words consecutive in the wheel by 4ths. They may be major or minor chords then the general 12 bars blues rhythmic-harmonic pattern is the next
| X2 | X2 | X2 | X2 |
| X3 | X3 | X2 | X2 |
| X1 | X1 | X2 | X2 |
If the Xi X1 X23 are major denoted by M or minors then we have 8 types of such general 12 bars blues rhythmic-harmonic patterns
MMM
MMm
mMM
MmM
mmm
mmM
MmM
mMm
A usual rhythm is 120 bpm and 4 beats per bar. This gives that one such 12BB has duration about 24 seconds thus about 6-8 repetitions of this 12BB pattern will give a song a little less or more than 3 minutes duration.
Now the general concept of composing sings based on the 12bB patterns is based on the next
a) We start with a 12BB as unit block and we modulate it or transpose it about 6 times
b) We alter the 12BB pattern substituting any of the instances of each of the Xi chords i=1,2,3 with relative minor or major chords.
The difference in easiness and familiarity when composing songs based on thsi method compared to no method, is as the difference of walking by feet compared to moving by a car (the car=12BB pattern)
In the guitar such an improvisation is mostly easy if the guitar is tuned in one of the open overtones tuning. E.g. Open D tuning.
Also at the meso (=medium) and micro layer, the main 4 factors are
1) Up, Down or flat vector-waving and is meaning (including which octave)
2) Density of notes per time unit (many notes theme, very few notes theme). This is relevant to if the melody is close to layer 1 , 2, or 3 of a melody .
3) Percentage of harmonic or melodic intervals (acceleration) to the chromatic intervals (deceleration).
4) The poetic micro-meter and poetic macro-meter in the melodic theme.
In order to create the melody we may proceed as follows.
1)We compose 2 or 3 simplicial sub-melodies one for each part of the song , with one note per chord and bar , over the cycle of chords preferably at a chromatic sequence ascending and descending . In this way we may have more than one note of the simplicial sub-melody per chord but only one per chord and bar.
If we use keyboards (and this may also be e.g. digital harp in the tablet as in ThumbJam) , the way to create the melody is the next. For each lines in the 16 Bar Blocks which is usually a pair of chords , we layout the chords in the keyboard to see their mutual topology and overlapping. Then we compose 5-6 versions of the melody, by one up or down wave within each chord, which are usually one vector-wave for half or full the chord (123 , or 1234565 or 543 for 3-notes chords or 7654321 for chords with 7nth etc in trochaic poetic meter) . We use balancing structure e.g. if the first is up the next is down and vice verse. But two ups or two downs are for emphasis too. We may split the vector-wave to arpeggio and tail or only arpeggio. We choose the version that we like best and expresses best the emotions we want. We use not one only octave necessarily but 2 or even 3. Starting from high, in high octaves and descending down 1 or 2 octaves is a bird-like melodic approach. If we use harmonica the themes waves for each chord or pair of chords are quite more free. If we use guitar , violin , flute, it is more or less as with the keyboard but again a little more free to follow the constraints and conveniences of the instrument.
2) We create moves or waves or cycles for each note of the simplicial sub-melody by sequencing during the chord with two types of notes a fast (usually outside the chord) and a slow of double duration on the notes of the chord again ascending or descending with smaller waves. I this way more than 50% of the time of the duration of the melody will be notes of the chord. .We may apply the pattern of 4 waves-cycles. Initial idea-variational continuation-contrasting mutation-closure. Or only3 phases Initial idea=position , Contrasting idea =opposition , and finally closure E.g. Down cycle-down cycle modulated-up cycle-wave shrinking and ending to middle note. Or vice versa Up cycle-Up cycle modulated-Down cycle-wave shrinking and ending to middle note. It is important to realize that such a wave or cycle need not be 100% over a chord but it can be over a pair of chords as chord-transition theme (x% over one chord y% over the next x%+y%=100%) and sometimes as themes over three chords. Thus each melodic theme of the 3 phases of it may correspond to 4 bars and the 3 melodic themes may rhythmically correspond to the 3 times the 4 bars (1 cycles of 12BB), Thus
| X2 | X2 | X2 | X2 |
| X3 | X3 | X2 | X2 |
| X1 | X1 | X2 | X2 |
3) We arrange a continuous sound instrument to play the simplicial sub-melody only and a discrete sound (guitar mandolin etc) to play the full waves melody.
We may summarize in short
1) We compose the simplicial sub-melody per bar and chord, which defines the orientation of the waves within a chord.
2) We compose the poetic measure of the melodic themes (long short notes combinations)
3) We compose the bridging transition to the next chord
4) We arrange for continuous sound (simplicial sub-melody and bass) and discrete sound instruments.
For example for Aegean islands (Greece) improvisational folk melodies (mandinades) condylies) with violin or Lyra, the next factors prevail.
1) "Poetic meters" over the same note sometimes notes up to 8 notes. The density of the notes is high. E.g. with 4 notes per measure-bar and a beat of 80-100 bars per minute gives a tempo of 320-400 beats-notes per minute.
3) Straight vectors ascending or descending usually of 4 or 5 notes so as to reach a new chord neighborhood.
2) Mainly waves by intervals of 2nds (chromatic) inside intervals of 3rds (melodic, either standing or ascending descending, and usually inside a chord so as to reach the neighborhood of a new chord. The simplistic sub-melody of such a waving melody is essentially an arpeggio of the underlying chord.
An example of such a way of composition is the song of Edith Piaf , la vie en rose.
CHROMATIC TONALITY AND ALL 7 MODES MODULATIONS OVER THE RHYTMIC AND HARMONIC PATTERN OF 12-BARS BLUES.
In the blues (that may be somehow considered a type of rapsody concept collective composition and improvisation) the rhythm is also standardized to e.g. 12-bars blues, which corelated the rhyrhmic measures with the sequence and duration of the 3 chords 1M, 4M 5M or 1M 2m 5M.
|
| 1M | 1M | 1M | 1M |
| 2m | 2M | 6M | 6M |
| 3M | 5M | 1M | 1M |
If we are capturing the diatonic mode with a pair of chords in chromatic relation (in harmonicas it would be an hexatonic harmonica) then the 12BB pattern will give if we have a theme for a single type of chord.
Ionian-Ionian
Lydian-Ionian
Myxolydian-Ionian
If we want a diatonic model per pair of chords then X2 X3 is a Lydian mode and X1 X2 is an Ionian mode, thus
Ionian
Lydian
Ionian
Or
Lydian
Lydian
Ionian
And for hexatonic harmonicas with a chromatic pair of chords it would be the chords
(3m 4M)= Lydian
(3m 4M)=Lydian
(7d 1M)=Ionian
A JOY-BASED PATTERN TO COMPOSE SONGS INSPIRED FROM THE EARLY NEW ORLEANS BLUES JAZZ SONGS.
See also post 430, 322, 426, 216. 215, 205
We remind also that the simplest and most effective way to compose songs (the music without the words) is starting from the simplest and proceeding with the more complicated. Thus the order is
A) First the rhythm and morphological parts of the song
B) Then the harmony with the chord progression
C) Last the simplicial melody and the full melodic themes for each chord or chord transition of the chord progression (possibly with tail and arpeggio parts).
The idea for this structure in composing soengs is from the new Orleans jazz songs.
The joy of the composition of such songs is not only on he next below
a) system of joyful harmony and chord progression creation but also
b) on the joy of the rhythm rhythm which is at least 180 bpm . Furthermore we may use fast notes double the main tempo for reasons of joy.
c) joy from the melodic waving so that if we label + and up-move in a waving and by - an equal time and interval down move of the waving the total waving score of the melody is plus. In simpler terms we may have melodic themes as waves that are by 2nds and start and end a 3rd lower or higher (higher is more joyful) thus withing a chord. Furthermore we may use fast notes double the main tempo for reasons of joy. Then chord changes are modulations of the melodic theme.
Joy from the harmony:
A1) The center of the songs is a joyful triplet of major chords in harmonic relation, in other words the
classical 5M, 1M , 4M. It is set in a sequence that corresponds to a rhythmic pattern. E.g.
(1M, 4M, 1M 5M7) with equal duration per chord. Thus a 4-fold rhythm.
Usually, because the triplet of major chords has two harmonic relations (5M-1M) and (1M-4M) the rhythmic pattern is divided in 2 , each part corresponding to one of the two harmonic relations.
Simplistic counter-melody soloing could be on the 7-1-2 triad notes around the 1st semitone of the diatonic scale (1-2-1-7-1) or on the 2-3-4 triad notes around the 2nd semitone of the diatonic scale (3-4-3-2-3)
Or alternatively a 3-fold rhythm as follows (1M, 4M, 1M, 5M7 , 1M) where the first 2 chords and the last chord have double duration the time compared to the 3rd and 4th. So in rhythmic units it is (2, 2 1,1,2).
This initial harmonic and rhythmic center of the songs is repeated two times (at least) and corresponds to a joyful refrain, from which nevertheless the songs starts returns and ends.
Each time that we return to the central chord progression, it is not necessary to return with the same melodic theme. It can be different.
A2) Then after each (1M, 4M, 1M, 5M7 , 1M) repeated twice we interpolate a less joyful rhythmically isomorphic pattern, derived with one of the 5 systems of substitutions of the major chords of the central part. (X1, X2, X3, X4 , X5) This may be called the couples of the song and have duration at least half of the duration of the central part, so as to guarantee that the joyful part has more duration than the possibly sad part.
The system of substitutions are the next 5, which preserve the harmonic relations of the initial central chord progression. The substitutions are based on melodic (relative chords ,2 common notes) relations of the chords. That is why the 2m can also be substituted with 7bM and the 7d with the 2m, while the 7M7 with the 2#m and 5#m.
Primary a, b substitutions
5M 1M 4M
substituted with 3m 6m 2m (which 2m can again be substituted with 7bM)
or with 3M7 6M7 2M7
Primary c, d substitutions
5M 1M 4M
substituted with 7d 3m 6m
or with 7M7 3M7 6M7
Secondary a, substitutions
5M 1M 4M
substituted with 5m 1m 1m
A most intersecting is the double substitution e.g. 1M with (3M7 6m) with teh same duration
or 5M with (7M7, 3m) or 4M with (6M7, 2m) .
And also the transformation of the harmonic relation to chromatic with the substitution
of 5M7 resolving to 1M with 7m shifting to 1M or 1m
Of 1M resolving to 4M with 3m shifting to 4M or 2m.
We may extend the major harmonic triplet to a major harmonic 5 cycle as follows
in the 5M7 1M7 4M , if the 1M->4M is substituted by 6M7 -> 2M7 we resutlt in a 5 harmonic cycle 6M7-2M7 5M7 1M 4M
In general we have a Universal adequacy of the substitutions in the sense that if we have a melodic theme within a chord and we want to have a
a) harmonic (by 4ths or 5ths) modulation of it
b) melodic (by 3rds) modulation of it
c) Chromatic (by 2nds) modulation of it
it is always possible with the above melodic substitutions of the chords.
These substitutions introduce, blue notes outside the diatonic scale, that are included in the chords, and may define harmonic minor scales, double harmonic minor scales, blues scale etc.
The preference order o introducing blue notes is the next
Diatonic scales in harmonic relation with the focus diatonic scale
1. 7b (5m)
2. 4# (7M7, 2M7)
harmonic or double harmonic minors
3. 5# (3M7, 4m)
4. 1# (6M7)
Neapolitan , double harmonic minor)
5. 2# (7m7, 1m)
So the chord progression of the whole song is a sequence of pairs of pieces as follows
(1M, 4M, 1M, 5M7 , 1M)
(X1, X2, X3, X4 , X5)
The first corresponds to joy and lasts twice as the second which corresponds to degrees of sadness.
The joy of the composition of such songs is not only on he previous
a) system of harmony and chord progression creation but also b) on the rhythm which is at least 180 bpm and
c) melodic waving so that if we label + and up-move in a waving and by - an equal time and interval down move of the waving the total waving score of the melody is plus
We add here a simple technique to improvise over such 8BB chords patterns too with the tenor trombone which emphasizes the glissando ability of the trombone..
We must notice that from any note we are in the diatonic scale during a chord there is always a note of the chord at most an interval of 3rd away!
1) So the method is tho start with an arbitrary note and correct it with the slide by at moist an interval of 3rd to a note that fits the chord
2) When we want to a much higher or lower note during the chord or because the chord changed we just blow harder or softer for a higher or lower overtone (partia) at the same position and then we correct it if necessary with the slide!
3) The whole process becomes easier if we are on the 3rd octave of overtones where the overtones form the major tonal chord (with a 7nth) . And for thsi the best idea is to utilize a french-horn mouthpiece for the tenor trombone!
