Re: Harmonic minor

walterstr@fau.campus.mci.net
Thu, 6 Mar 1997 22:37:04 -0500 (EST)

I'm of the opinion that the harmonic scale can indeed be used successfully
over minor ii-V-i progressions, and is a better choice for players starting
out because it uncomplicates things a little. Sure there are "wrong" notes
there; same can be said for many scales we use, whether over a long
progression (blues scale) or over a single chord (major for major,
mixolydian for dominant). All players need to recognize the sound of
"wrong" notes and what to do when you hit one, as we all do. As far as the
natural ninth on a half-dimished chord: it depends on the context. When I
was in school we were quite taken by the lydian sound on major chords, and
used it indescriminately. As I've gotten older I've recognized that context
is an important (maybe the most important) factor in scale choice.

At 11:46 PM 3/5/97 -0800, you wrote:
>Now that I've praised Mark Levine's books, and joined in his enthusiasm
>for melodic minor harmony, I wanted to mention that I've always been a
>bit puzzled that he completely omitted (I think) mention of the harmonic
>minor scale from his first book, even though a single harmonic minor
>scale can be a common thread through a minor ii-V-i progression (iim7b5,
>V7b9, Im(maj) ), as opposed to using a separate melodic minor scale on
>each chord.
>
>I actually asked him about this at a seminar once, and he pointed out all
>the "avoid notes" in the harmonic minor version, drawing laughs from the
>audience. I though he was a bit condescending about it, but I got over
>it. He stresses how much prettier the iim7b5 chord is with a natural
>ninth, though I think he exaggerates this.
>
>On a tune like "Morning of the Carnaval", noodling over the changes using
>the harmonic minor
>seems utterly appropriate, and is easier for a beginner than shifting
>gears to a different melodic minor "key" on each chord.
>
>Any comments?
>
>Richard
>
>
>
>

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."