Beginner question - using approach notes, arpeggios and tetrachords

ecohen · #1 01-18-2011, 10:49 AM

I recently started making more use of arpeggios by sticking to simply three string forms that I can move up and down the fretboard (and lower the 3rd and 7th or raise/lower the 5th). I'll also make use of tetrachords (just the first four notes of a scale), improvisation within modes and an approach note if it sounds OK to my ear (I haven't nailed the use of them). Is this the right approach for a relative beginnner (sub-two years) trying to increase my improvisational technique? is there another?

pierre richard · #2 01-19-2011, 07:38 PM

do not forget to vary the rhythm...that is the key....going up and down in these simple forms...sometimes less is more..the variety in rhythm will make thse simple forms come alive..imo

time on the instrument..pierre

ecohen · #3 01-19-2011, 08:22 PM

Thanks, Pierre. I did not mention that but I do vary the rythm and am practicing my tremolo technique to throw that in as well for more rythm color.

JonnyPac · #4 01-19-2011, 08:54 PM

I posted a boat-load of melodic devices in a thread here http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/theor...ar-book-3.html PAGE 3 These might give you fun things to play with. Cheers!

FatJeff · #5 01-20-2011, 09:23 AM

One cool thing to do is to use ascending or descending "tetrachords" based on the 3rd or 7th, played in eighth notes. This is like the 1-2-3-5 tetrachord based on the root, but slightly hipper.

Figure them out and drill them for maj7, min7, dom7, dim7 and m7b5 on all string sets.

3 - 4 - 5 - 7
7 - 5 - 4 - 3 (or, if you prefer, 7 - 6 - 5 - 3)

3 - 2 - 1 - 7
7 - 1 - 2 - 3

Play these through any tunes you are currently working on. You'll learn the changes better, and you'll start to think of chords in terms of their 3rds and 7ths instead of their roots, which will help later when comping with rootless voicings. These patterns can serve as a handy "emergency" tool to use when playing through tunes you don't know well (like when someone puts a leadsheet in front of your face at a gig).

ecohen · #6 01-20-2011, 11:02 AM

Thanks, FatJeff. I've definitely been to focused on the root and have been forcing myself to kick off improvised lines using the thirds and sevenths. And appreciate the Tetrachord suggestion. I'll be trying that tonight.

ecohen · #7 01-23-2011, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyPac

I posted a boat-load of melodic devices in a thread here http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/theor...ar-book-3.html PAGE 3 These might give you fun things to play with. Cheers!

Thank you! These are some great ideas to work with...and break my addiction to starting/ending on the root. The whole book is now on my Amazon list of books to read.