Chromatic Scale Sequences

[GuyBoden]

Playing BH descending chromatics from each degree of the chords that make up a major ii-V-I progression helped me get the conventional form under my fingers and into my ears when I first came across the concept.
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Yes, good stuff, I initially did similar BH style chromatic sequences starting on chord tones, but usually descending and ascending in eternal loops.

The BH chromatic sequence is truly superb, but gets a bit too similar sounding after a while, so I'm trying to create my own sound.

Below shows one of the many examples of eternal loops I created to initially practice the BH style chromatic sequence.

[GuyBoden]

Currently, I'm working with Messiaen Mode 7.

It's a sequence with a lot of chromatics, which seems to descend very nicely.

[GuyBoden]

Here's another using the Messiaen Mode 7 sequence.

I'm finding these Messiaen sequences very interesting, but you have to practice them a lot to get them under your fingers and in your ears.

[Boss Man Zwiebelsohn]

You could do the whole Slonimsky and Lateef's "Repository of Scales and Melodic Patterns" the Barry way LOL.

(Lateef being an early BH student of course.)

[GuyBoden]

This Chromatic Sequence using the 3rd and 1st chord tones on the 1st and 3rd beats of the bar is simple, but sounds good to my ears. Give it a try.

[GuyBoden]

Here's a Christmas Chromatic Sequence based on a Bebop Cliche using the cycle of Fourths, obviously it would repeat itself after 12 bars.


Here's the first 5 bars:

[GuyBoden]

Here's a 9 note Chromatic Sequence that sounds good over a Major iiVI .

[GuyBoden]

Here's a 10 note Chromatic Sequence that sounds good over a minor iiVI.

[GuyBoden]

Here's a Chromatic Sequence that sounds good over a Major iiVI with a tritone sub.

[Tal_175]

Hearing this reminded me of how little I use chromatics and how cool they sound (starting around 0:38):

[pamosmusic]

Hearing this reminded me of how little I use chromatics and how cool they sound (starting around 0:38):

that's some hip sh**

[Mick-7]

Hearing this (Lorne Lofsky) reminded me of how little I use chromatics and how cool they sound

I have that CD (and the one that followed it, "Bill, Please," mostly Bill Evans tunes). I'll have to listen to it again, he has a real knack for those sort of lines.

Some good chromatic lines in this transcription (below), which I believe is from this album -- Inside Out – Lorne Lofsky

[Mick-7]

Frankly, Slonimsky's Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns has every chromatic sequence one could think of, it's the only resource you really need for that.

[pamosmusic]

Frankly, Slonimsky's Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns has every chromatic sequence one could think of, it's the only resource you really need for that.

Yeah but not in terribly musical order.

[Mick-7]

Here are a few patterns from Nicholas Slonimsky's book. In the book, he shows all of these backwards, like pattern #421. The fingerings I indicated are arbitrary, you may find others you like better.