>>
>Harmonic minor harmony is extremely important for soloing,
>especially when one is in a minor key. Interestingly enough,
>it seems to be totally forgotten in modern jazz books.
>
>For me, hearing the natural 9 on every m7b5 chord is extremely
>oppressive.
>
>The whole thing with avoid notes makes no sense to me.
>
>Study the solos of the great players. They have no hangups
>about that.
>
>Study classical music like Chopin. He's not worried about avoid notes.
>
>For me, melodic minor harmony is a very nice spice that can be
>used. However, I don't want it as my main meal. I like nutmeg but
>I don't want a plate of it for dinner.
>
>For me it's just an intellectual thing about avoid notes.
>
>However it's dug itself into the mainstream of jazz education so
>people just repeat it in parrot like fashion without any true
>understanding of where it comes from , who uses it, etc.
>
>One thing that John Clayton (great bassist and arranger) told me
>is that you have to write your own harmony book.
>
>Amen!!!!!
>
>To succeed at jazz you better go to the primary sources (transcription)
>of players you are interested and don't depend on the theories
>of others to set your own agenda.
>
>reed
>
>>
>>
>
>Reed Kotler
>reed@justjazz.com
>http://www.justjazz.com
>
>
Tim Walters @j
Director of Jazz Studies
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(561)367-3824, 367-3820
walterstr@fau.campus.mci.net
"Put the trumpet down, and slowly back away."