modern jazz piano a study in harmony and improvisation pdf reader

So why not sit down until you’ve come up with a compelling progression, devise something lyrical that fits over it, add a pinch of rhythmically-engaging accompaniment, and call it a day?. Think about it: we are “spontaneously composing” melodies all the time while playing over changes. Upon reflection, however, I realize that revealing the perfect line over a set of chord changes is perhaps the very most natural and satisfying means for a improvisation-focused musician to compose. Somehow the origin of my melodic content felt shameful and insincere, since I felt strongly that harmony served to reinforce melody, and not the other way around. Harmony Can Lead to Melodyįor a long time I was embarrassed to retrofit melodies to the harmonies I would plunk out at the piano. Here are a few jump-starters to get cooking on your next tune when that elusive, perfect melody just isn’t coming to you. But in the spirit of this post, it only seemed fitting to blog about the idea of having no good ideas. In fact, I’ve also been in a massive blogging dry spell, having taken over a year off from this site. Jazz tune writer’s block? We all know the feeling.

Modern jazz piano a study in harmony and improvisation pdf reader