RE: playing in the diatonic key vs. guide tones
Take any tune (like Misty or Cherokee) that progresses to the IV chord. In
F the progression might be:
F ///| ////| Cm7 ///| F7///| Bb ...
What is the difference between the two keys? The pitch Eb. All the rest of
the notes are the same, so for a melody to actually makes the change, you
would have to include the Eb, probably in a significant spot in your line.
What is the guide tone note for the Cm7 chord? The pitch Eb. Same results
from two points of reference.
We can all hear the difference in a beginning player who would continue to
play E naturals through the Cm7 F7 measures. I may suggest the theory of
guide-tones or target notes to get them to hear the difference that one
note can make, or I may suggest the concept of modulating briefly to the
key of IV, which requires the Eb.
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Bert Ligon
Director of Jazz Studies
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School of Music
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
Voice: (803) 777-6565
Fax: (803) 777-6508
bligon@mozart.sc.edu
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