Re: What is enough theory for amateur musicians?
Brian Potter ( potterrb@ix.netcom.com )
Tue, 10 Dec 1996 17:27:37 -0500
Bert Ligon wrote:
>
> >Mr. Lawson G stone talks about guide tones as:
> >
> >"Anyhow, guide tones typically refer to the 3rd and 7th
> >of a chord. They tell you if it's minor or major, and whether or not
> >it's a dominant type chord or a major7 type chord. I had gotten a
> >suggestion off of Emily Remler's video that one way to begin soloing is
> >to try to hit a guide tone of each chord on beat one of each measure. In
> >the intervening space, she suggested using blue scale phrases, or even
> >just to experiment with anything, but using the guide tones to stay on
> >the changes. She suggested it as a learning tool."
> >
> >In my very humble opinion, if the accomanipment players are doing their job,
> >they are playing the guide tones enogh so the listener knows where things are.
> >(hopefully) So if you just stick within the chord change that is happening,
> >no matter how wierd or sparce you are, you should sound ok. Therefore, I am
> >saying that even thinking about the guide tones is a way to ruin your mind.
> >
> >If you only have guitar and bass or guitar alone, a few well placed strums
> >will do the job. I believe that Wes Montgomery played that way, among others.
> >
> >The pianist's left hand also works as well in a piano trio.
> >
> > hava nice day,
> > jules
>
> I think the job of harmonic clarity rests with the soloist. The job of time
> keeping is also the job of the soloist. I have heard too many improvisors
> who are depending on the drummer to keep the time and the pianist to keep
> the harmony figuring they could do what they want over the top. With many
> great solos (and I'll reference them if necessary) you could take away the
> accompaniment and a listener would still know where the soloist was with
> regard to the time, form and harmonic structure. That would be one of my
> goals as an improvisor and is one of my goals as a jazz educator.
>
> _______________________________________
> Bert Ligon
> Director of Jazz Studies
> _______________________________________
> School of Music
> University of South Carolina
> Columbia, SC 29208
> Voice: (803) 777-6565
> Fax: (803) 777-6508
> bligon@mozart.sc.edu
> _______________________________________
How about John Coltrane's Countdown off the Giant Steps recording? Most of the
song it's just him and Art Taylor on drums. Maybe a rhythmic context, but he
certainly defines the harmonic context.
Brian