This month we’re going to be jamming over a C Dorian progression using diatonic triads, melodic motifs and descending Intervallic lines. Let’s take a look at the chord progression first, and get a visual breakdown of why we are looking at a C Dorian tonality. The Chord Progression This month’s two-bar chord sequence contains a… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 12 – Triads, Motifs and Intervallic Lines
Author: hfroelich
Trading Licks: Episode 11 – Instant Lydian Using the Minor Pentatonic Scale
This month we’re going to be jamming over a C Lydian progression. We’ll be using a simple, but unique approach to outline that modality, perhaps one you’d never thought of. The rhythmic approach to the chord progression features several “pushes” (upbeat anticipations) and a cool double-stop embellishment … so it’s well worth learning the chord… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 11 – Instant Lydian Using the Minor Pentatonic Scale
Trading Licks: Episode 10 – Nailing The “Hendrix” Chord
This month we’re going to be jamming over a funky D7(#9) progression. In fact, all three chords in this progression are altered dominant 7th chords with a sharp ninth alteration. These chords are often referred to as the “Hendrix” chord. Think of the song “Purple Haze” and you’ll understand why. The tonal center resolution point… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 10 – Nailing The “Hendrix” Chord
Trading Licks: Episode 9 – Targeting the Six and Nine
This month we’re going to be jamming over a cool B Dorian rock progression. The B Dorian mode is the second mode in the key of A Major. Simply put, B Dorian is the A Major scale played from B to B. The intervals we create by sequencing from the second tone of a major… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 9 – Targeting the Six and Nine
Trading Licks: Episode 8 – Melodic Contours
This month we’re going to be jamming over an R&B style groove, with a tonal center of E7. That means we’ll be phrasing our lines and licks towards the chord-tones of E7. The tones of E, G#, B and D will be the strongest tones to resolve on, from the two melodic devices I’ve chosen… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 8 – Melodic Contours
Trading Licks: Episode 7 – Double-Stop Phrases
This month we’re going to be jamming over a mid-tempo rock track, in the key of A. We’ll be phrasing a mixture of double-stop ideas that start on the upbeat of one. Phrasing on the upbeats sounds a little more “hip” than if we start our phrases on the downbeats … I think you’ll like… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 7 – Double-Stop Phrases
Trading Licks: Episode 6 – The Dorian Mode / Shifting Keys
This month we’re going to be jamming over a swing sixteenth Dorian progression, and modulating through four different keys. We’ll be targeting the Major 6th in all four keys to really evoke the characteristic sound of the Dorian mode. The Dorian mode, simply put, is the second mode of any Major Scale. So if you… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 6 – The Dorian Mode / Shifting Keys
Trading Licks: Episode 5 – Adding Tones To The Pentatonic Scale
Trading Licks – Adding Tones To The Pentatonic Scale This month we’re going to be jamming over a cool R&B progression in A Minor. We’ll be using the A Minor Pentatonic scale with added chromatic tones, and the Major 6th (F#) to create our five, four-bar phrases. I’ve added the chromatic tones to create 16th… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 5 – Adding Tones To The Pentatonic Scale
Trading Licks: Episode 4 – Question & Answer / Ascending & Descending Lines
This month we’re going to be jamming over a blues, rock progression with a tonal center resolution point of C7. We’ll be using C9 arpeggios and the C Blues Scale to create our eight licks. I’ve also added a healthy amount of chromatic tones to each of the melodic devices this month. Those chromatic tones… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 4 – Question & Answer / Ascending & Descending Lines
Trading Licks: Episode 3 – Intervallic Lines
This month we’re going to be jamming over a cool 2-bar progression in the key of A Minor. We’ll be using the A Minor Pentatonic scale and the A Natural Minor scale (C Major) for those improvisations. I’ll be starting each two-bar, Intervallic phrase on the downbeat of one, in order to maximize the two-bar… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 3 – Intervallic Lines