Recognizing, understanding and creating jazz contrafacts

The term “contrafact” is defined by Wikipedia as “a musical work based on a prior work.” In jazz, the word is often used to describe a tune that uses an existing composition’s chord progression. A songwriter or composer can use an existing chord progression as a starting point for a new piece, while musicians learning a tune that is a contrafact can gain additional insight by comparing it to its source. Note that from a copyright standpoint, chord progressions are not considered specific enough to qualify as intellectual property, so as long as the composer creates an original melody, they are exempt from charges of plagiarism.

In this post, we will discuss two common chord progressions: the 12-bar blues and the “I Got Rhythm” changes, then explore some specific examples of contrafacts.

Blues progressions

Blues music, in particular the 12-bar progression, has served as the foundation of many songs throughout jazz, country, bluegrass, rock and other genres. Works that are based on this progression usually have three things in common: starting on the I chord (the home key), moving to the IV chord in the fifth bar and a turnaround starting in the 9th bar: a phrase that “answers” the statements if the previous two phrases and sets up a return to the top of the form.

Following are three examples of the 12-bar blues progression in the key of F. The first is a basic example. The second is Charlie Parker’s tune “Au Privave” which shares the same outline as the first example but has more active harmonic movement. The third, “Blues for Alice” is another Parker head with the same framework, but still more movement.

Comparing “Au Privave” (a typical example of “be-bop” blues) to the simpler blues progression, we see differences, but also some similarities. Both of these progressions:

Start on the I chord (F)
Go to the IV chord (Bb) in the 5th measure
Return to the I chord in the 7th measure
Start the turnaround phrase in the 9th measure

The first progression uses a V – IV – I turnaround (the 9th measure has a C7, or V7 chord; the 10th measure has Bb7, the IV chord and the 11th measure returns to the I chord) while “Au Privave” uses a ii – V7 – I turnaround (starting on the Gm7, or ii chord, then going to the C7, or V7 chord, then resolving to the F7, or I chord.)

Comparing “Au Privave” to “Blues for Alice” we again notice similarities and differences. The progression starts on the I chord as the other two do, but it quickly moves through several harmonies before resolving on the IV chord in measure 5. Instead of returning to the I chord in measure 7 as the previous progressions do, it continues to explore new harmonic terrain before arriving at the ii chord in measure 9 as “Au Privave” does. From that point on out, it follows the same progression as “Au Privave.”

As a performer, understanding how a simple blues progression can evolve into a more elaborate one such as “Blues for Alice” can help you see the progression as a whole, enabling you to not worry too much about each individual chord. As a composer, seeing how far you can go from the original blues progression and still have the basic framework intact can give you ideas about how to stretch your raw materials farther.

“I Got Rhythm”

Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm” has a chord progression that has been used by many jazz musicians as the basis for their own compositions. The theme from “The Flintstones” is a commonly cited example of “Rhythm Changes.” Other famous be-bop standards that use Rhythm Changes include “Oleo” by Sonny Rollins and “Anthropology” by Charlie Parker. A more recent example is saxophonist Alison Young’s “One Night Stan.” The progression also made its way into rock’n’roll with the Four Seasons’ “Sherry.”

Comparing “I Got Rhythm” to “Flintstones” and “Anthropology” we see several parallels. All three follow a 32-bar “A-A-B-A” form. The “A” sections consist of a repeated two bar I-vi-ii-V7 progression (Bb6 – G7 or Gm7 – Cm7 – F7). In “I Got Rhythm” and “Anthropology” there’s the slight variation (circled in blue) of going to the Eb7 and Ab7 chords in the 6th measure. These tunes all have bridges that follow a III7-VI7-II7-V7 progression (D7 – G7 – C7 – F7) with each chord being held for two bars. Changing up the harmonic rhythm from one section to another (note how the chords in the “A” section move quickly while the chords in the “B” section last for longer) is a useful compositional tool to keep in mind should you feel stuck.

Other be-bop era examples

Several Great American Songbook era standards were used by the first generation of be-bop musicians (Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis et. al) as the basis for new compositions. A famous example is Parker’s tune “Ornithology”, based on “How High The Moon.” Comparing the two, we see some similarities. Both use 32-bar A-B-A-C (or A-B-A-B’) forms. Both start in the key of G, then switch from major to minor in the 3rd bar, setting up a move to F in the 5th bar. Another major to minor move in bar 7 brings us to E-flat in the 9th bar. The melody of “Ornithology” echoes “How High the Moon”’s D-G-A-B figure (circled in blue) in the first bar and the D-G-A-Bb figure in the third bar when the harmony shifts to minor.

The roots of a contrafact can be a little harder to trace when the new composition is in a different key than the original. However, by looking at relationships between the chords, we can still see parallels. An example of this is Parker’s “Donna Lee”, composed and usually played in the key of A-flat and based on “(Back Home Again in) Indiana”, usually played in the key of F. Though they look different, closer examination reveals that they follow the same blueprint. Like the pair discussed above, both are 32-bar A-B-A-C tunes. Both start with a I-VI7-II7 cadence (F – D7 – G7 or Abmaj7 – F7 – Bb7), then return to the I chord in bar 7. Both arrive at the IV chord in bar 9, use either the #iv diminished or the iv minor chord in bar 10 and return to the I chord in bar 11 before an extended turnaround sets up the next A section. At bar 23, both tunes have modulated into the relative minor (d for “Indiana” and f for “Donna Lee.”) Both tunes use a diminished chord in bar 28 as a pivot to return to the home key at the end of the form.

As a composer, comparing “Donna Lee” and “Indiana” can provide valuable insight into how one piece of music can be elaborated upon and transformed into something else. As an improvisation-oriented performer, understanding the roots of “Donna Lee” – a tune that has something of an intimidating reputation in jazz circles – can help give the musician a place to start learning it.

“Jake’s Shuffle”

Composer David Lockeretz on “Jake’s Shuffle”

I had a young student named Jake who was a fan of classic rock and blues. One day I came up with a riff that I thought he’d have fun playing. The riff sounded like it belonged on the turnaround of a Delta-style blues progression, but I decided to make it the main riff of the tune rather than using it as the turnaround. When I was messing with it, I decided to stay in the I chord instead of going to the IV chord in the fifth bar, as would be typical for a blues progression. I was in the key of D, with drop-D tuning, which Jake enjoyed, and that got me thinking about “So What” and “Impressions” – the two seminal modal jazz tunes, both of which are in that key. I decided to take that modal progression – 16 bars of D, 8 bars of Eb, 8 bars of D – and play it with the blues feel. I did some things to change it up a little – I started off with a vamp, brought in an element of orchestration by having the bass double the guitar on the turnaround line and I also wrote a new melody on the bridge, whereas “So What” and “Impressions” play the melody up a half step on the bridge. Long story short: “Jake’s Shuffle” didn’t start out as a contrafact, per se, but as I was developing it I realized that it might work with the modal progression. Once I saw that, it gave the tune a ready-made outline.

Additional resources

Articles with examples and analysis here and here

Article about baritone saxophonist and prolific contrafact composer Gary Smulyan here

Partial list of notable jazz contrafacts here

Playlist with contrafacts paired with their source material here

One last example

“Tide” by Antonio Carlos Jobim is a Latin jazz contrafact. Listen to it and see if you can identify the original progression and its composer.

June 26, 2021 0

Behind the musical evolution of Outside Pedestrian’s arrangement of Bach’s “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” (Exploring process of remote creative collaboration)

The last “Ask O.P.” focused on some of the technical challenges we encountered in creating our remote performance video of our arrangement of J.S. Bach’ “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.” In this post, we will discuss some of the creative challenges of working remotely.

Why “Jesu?”

At the outset of the 2020 holiday season, we had already created a virtual performance of “Two By Two” from our “Reclaimed” record and had reunited with our original drummer, Steve Tashjian, to record new versions of “Southern California Highway Song” and “Northern California Highway Song” from our first record, “Pedestrian Crossing.” After creating virtual performance videos for both of those songs, we wanted to continue exploring this format but did not have any new material and did not want to simply redo another tune. We decided to take a recognizable but not overplayed holiday song and create our own version of it.

Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” checked several boxes for us. We liked the idea of taking a classical (Baroque era) work and writing a contemporary-sounding arrangement of it; this is in keeping with the trio’s mission statement of modern eclecticism. Both Anthony Fesmire and David Lockeretz have enjoyed exploring the works of J.S. Bach, absorbing his influence as a composer and challenging themselves by playing the difficult melodic lines for which he is famous. Over the summer, the guitarist and bassist recorded virtual duets of two of Bach’s two-part inventions. “Jesu” seemed to be a logical continuation.

The original arrangement

While the final arrangement featured a minor key guitar solo, the original version modulated to E-flat major. The modulation was set up by the final V7 chord (D7) of the first section, moving up half a step to the new key. The same idea was used to transfer to the bass solo: the V7 chord (Bb7) in measure 50 set up the move a half-step higher to the new key of B. With F#7 being the V7 chord in the key of B, the same method could have been used to return to the home key of G major. However, we opted for a drum solo (8 bars open, 8 bars over a melodic figure) before returning to the recapitulation of the melody.

The changes

The first change was to simplify the chord progression for the guitar solo.

The change from major to minor

On one of the Zoom calls in which we discussed the arrangement, the idea of changing the guitar solo to a minor key was brought up. The goal was to create tonal and harmonica variety in a way often done by Bach himself, as seen in this example from the original composition, where the music has left the home key of G major for the new key of A minor.

There was also a debate about whether the drum solo should stay.

After trying a few different things, a drum solo was decided upon and the drum parts for the guitar and bass solo were scrutinized more closely.

Recording logistics also played a role in fine-tuning the arrangement and performance direction.

After a few more exchanges, the arrangement, performances and mixes were finalized.

Finally, the music was mixed and mastered, the videos were made and it was all put together.

David Lockeretz: “It was challenging but rewarding, both creatively and technologically. Musically, it laid the groundwork for us to explore new ways of collaborating as well as for exploring new interpretations of the classical repertoire. We’re all looking forward to being able to record and perform together in person, but in the mean time, we’re grateful to be able to keep our musical connection alive remotely and continue to create new music to share.”

May 14, 2021 0

What is modal interchange? (A special tribute to Chick Corea and “500 Miles High”)

As we look back on the life and music of Chick Corea, we want to take this opportunity not just to pay tribute to one of his most famous compositions but to discuss how it utilizes a deceptively simple concept called “modal interchange.”

Modal interchange involves borrowing harmonies from the parallel major or minor of the primary key (or mode.) For example, if the main key of the composition is G major, a songwriter or composer can employ modal interchange by using chords from G minor. This can add additional color while maintaining the continuity of the tonality. George Harrison used modal interchange in “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”: the verses are in A minor while the bridges are in A major. Understanding modal interchange and recognizing examples of it can help an improviser analyze a chord progression and spot the relationships between keys, while for composers and songwriters, it can be a gateway to exploring new harmonic territory.

February 12, 2021

Is “Giant Steps” really the hardest jazz standard to play?

Image courtesy of Ethan Hein

For rock guitarists, it’s Van Halen’s “Eruption.” In classical music, it’s “Flight of the Bumblebee.” For bluegrass banjo pickers, “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.” Every genre of music has one work that, more than any other, serves as a rite of passage. You don’t have to spend years in the jazz community to know which tune fits that role.

Whether John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” is the most difficult jazz standard of all time is a matter of opinion, but most would agree that more than any other contender, its name serves as shorthand for improvisation intimidation. Vox calles it “the most feared song in jazz.” The Jamey Aebersold series has a volume devoted entirely to helping students master the progression. Ever since pianist Tommy Flanagan struggled with the changes at the original recording session, jazz musicians have seen mastery of the “Coltrane Progression” as the genre’s holy grail. Like ultra-marathoners or actors who have worked for a notoriously demanding director, most jazz musicians have a “Giant Steps” war story or two. The tune has been a reference point for more than half a century. How many jazz standards become memes?

What makes “Giant Steps” difficult? The two main things are that it is usually played very fast (Coltrane’s original recording was north of 300 beats per minute) and that the chord progression constantly jumps from one key center to another, making it an obstacle course for the improviser. Once the musician can navigate the chord changes, there is the challenge of making it their own. Since ‘Trane, multiple generations of musicians from Pat Metheny to New York Voices have performed and recorded it, so saying something new musically with it is not easy.

All that being said, what are the advantages of learning “Giant Steps” more than 60 years after it was first recorded?

Even those who never plan on performing “Giant Steps” can still glean benefits from learning it. While every chord progression presents its own requirements, the process of acclimating to “Giant Steps” – finding an approach, practicing and perfecting it – and the musical vocabulary developed as a result can be applied almost anywhere: bluegrass, metal and more. Think of the Farmers Insurance commercial – “We know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two.”

Spending time with “Giant Steps” can also provide a lesson in musical history. Like most seemingly radical innovations, “Giant Steps” didn’t come out of nowhere. Wikipedia cites Rodgers and Hart’s “Have You Met Miss Jones” as an influence: “The song’s bridge, featuring key motion by thirds, may have served as an inspiration to John Coltrane in the development of the ‘Coltrane changes.'” Going back even farther, Coltrane was also influenced by Nicolas Slonimsky’s “Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns.” Musicians who worked with Coltrane during the “Giant Steps” era report that he carried the book around everywhere.

Another advantage of playing “Giant Steps” is that after spending time with it, almost everything else will seem effortless by comparison, just as after training at high altitudes, an athlete will find competing at sea level to be easier. There’s an old joke about a guy hitting himself with a hammer. When asked why he is hitting himself with a hammer, he says, “It feels so good when I stop.”

Since “Giant Steps” several challenging jazz tunes have entered the literature and shown some staying power. Jaco Pastorius’s “Teen Town” is a benchmark for bassists, as is Mike Stern’s “Chromazone” for guitarists and Michael Brecker’s “Syzygy” for saxophonists. Still, it seems unlikely that another standard will capture the imagination of the jazz world quite as “Giant Steps” did. As the study of jazz continues to grow in years to come, so will “Giant Steps” and its infamous and inspiring legacy.

January 31, 2021

“How much should I spend on an instrument?”

If you were the parent of a teenager who’d just gotten their license, what kind of car would you want to get them? Odds are it would be comfortable, reliable, fuel-efficient and have a few nice features, but it would probably not be a brand-new Ferrari. The same idea applies to musical instruments, especially for beginners. If it’s too cheap it will probably be poorly made and get in the way of your progress and enjoyment; too expensive and it will become a $10,000 wall decoration if you don’t stick with it. How do you find the happy medium?

Quality and features

Sometimes two different instruments may look virtually identical, but one could cost twenty times as much as the other. You can help yourself by knowing exactly what you are paying for. Instruments can vary in price for many reasons: handmade vs. factory made; American vs. import; quality of materials; in some cases, resale or collector’s value. Other instruments may have certain features that don’t specifically effect the quality, but add versatility. Some violins, mandolins, ukuleles and other stringed instruments may be able to be plugged while others can only be played acoustically. Some bass guitars have 5 or 6 strings as opposed to the standard 4; some guitars have 7 or more strings. Some electric keyboards have the full 88 keys of a piano while others have fewer. In some cases the style of music you wish to perform may effect the instrument you buy: guitars designed for flamenco or classical are built differently from those made for folk or acoustic rock; bluegrass banjos are made differently from those used in dixieland jazz. Parents can use special features as a “carrot” with kids who want to play an instrument by buying a simpler model first and rewarding effort with a fancier one (“Oh, so you want to be a rock star? Okay, it’s a year of lessons on a used acoustic and then we’ll get you the electric.”)

Brands alone don’t always matter

One difference between musical gear and cars or clothes is that you are rarely paying for JUST a brand name. Some boutique manufacturers sell exclusively high end gear, but these are instruments that are likely to be only sought after by and sold to musicians who have been playing a long time and know very specifically what they want. Most major names have instruments at different price points, usually including a solid, inexpensive entry level option. It may be cheaper because it is made overseas or because the materials are inexpensive, but the quality is likely to be adequate for a beginner. Many online retailers have systems for customers to rate and review their purchases. Are the reviews of the instrument that costs more than your mortgage payment better than those of the budget model? What do buyers like better about the more expensive instrument? Are they factors that would make a difference for a beginner? If you plan on making a purchase in a store, you can take advantage of the wealth of real-world information online and research it. As with buying a car, knowledge is power when dealing with sales people.

Hard numbers

Here are a few examples from the online retailer Musicians Friend, from January 25th, 2016 (subject to change, of course)

Trumpet, $129 (on sale, normally sells for $179), 4.5 out of 5 rating from 88 reviewers

Clarinet, $689, 5 out of 5 rating from 3 reviews

Violin, $269, 4 out of 5 rating from 14 reviews

Drums, $385, 4.5 out of 5 rating from 40 reviews (includes only the shells: no cymbals, hardware or bags. Most musical instruments will have accessories and parts that may or may not be included in the price.)

Soprano ukulele, $33, 4.5 out of 5 rating from 17 reviews (the most common kind of ukulele is called the Concert Ukulele, but there are several other varieties as well, including soprano, tenor and bass.)

Additional thoughts

Here are a few resources to check out for more ideas on purchasing gear. Happy buying!

10 tips for buying music instruments online (Making Music Mag)

5 ways to save money on musical instruments (CD Baby)

Advice for buying new music gear (Teen Jazz)

5 tips for buying your first guitar (Guitar Friendly)

Tips on buying a classical string instrument Tips on buying a classical string instrument (American Music Institute)

July 20, 2020

What are some ways to break out of “ruts” in improvisation?

It’s easy to get stuck in a routine. You find something that works and you want to stick to it. You rely on the same few riffs for your solos and they get you through the gig–but ultimately you want more. We have seen many students go through this; even veteran musicians feel stuck from time to time. We’ve had those moments ourselves. To that point, here are a few ideas about how to break out of ruts and come up with fresh new improvisational ideas.

Practice the chord progression slower. When you take a familiar chord progression – a 12-bar blues, a jazz standard, a modal progression – and play it slower than you are used to, you will hear it differently. Your phrasing and note choice will automatically sound unlike how it sounded before. Riffs that sound good at 120 beats per minute might not sound as good at 80 and vice versa. You may find it awkward and not like how it sounds, but as with any part of your musical experience, ideas and concepts often have to feel uncomfortable before they feel comfortable. You can also try playing the progression faster than you are used to, but since it’s usually more of a challenge to play slowly, try doing that first.

Practice the chord progression in different keys. Being comfortable improvising in any key is a great benchmark for any musician to attain. Certain instruments are aligned to play well in specific keys – “C” for the piano; “E” or “A” for guitar; “G” for banjo; “B-Flat” for trumpet, etc. If you are playing in a key that is friendly to your instrument, it’s easy to revert to familiar riffs. If you force yourself outside of that comfort zone, you may discover new ideas that you can translate back to the original key.

One note. There’s a lot of focus on: “What scale should I play? What tensions should I use?” This is important stuff, but there’s plenty more that goes into an effective solo. By picking just one note and creating a solo with it, you can focus on dynamics, phrasing, articulation and other elements of improvisation that sometimes take a back seat to note choice.

Two on, two off. Solo for two measures; leave space for two measures. Get used to the sound of space; it is a valuable improvisational tool.

Sing along. If you are playing piano, guitar or any other non-wind instrument, sing along with yourself as you play. It will force you to play lines that are more purposeful. If you play a wind instrument, try singing along to the chord progression and then improvising over it; you may find that singing, instead of being tied to your instrument, gives you new ideas.

W.W.T.D.? What would Trane do? Or Miles? Hendrix? Metheny? Stevie Ray? Listen, transcribe and find out.

Take a break. You don’t have to solo on every single song your band or ensemble plays. If you knew that during your set you would only have one or two solos, you would likely save your best ideas for them. Plus, allowing other people the chance to solo in your stead will make you very popular on the bandstand.

July 20, 2020

“What are some good online resources for practicing improvisation?”

Ah, if I only had a Jamey Aebersold play-along for every time I was asked this, I’d have the whole series.

Practicing and playing music with your friends can be difficult. Finding a place to play and organizing everyone’s schedules can be tricky and on top of that, all of the musicians need to be of similar ability levels and have compatible goals and interests. Many community colleges and local music schools offer classes in jazz and other contemporary styles but while these can be valuable resources, they might not provide you with the individualized attention you need. A good private teacher can be a tremendous help, but not everyone has the money for that.

However, the good news is that there are many great online resources to help students practice improvisation. While cyberspace can’t provide the experience of interacting face-to-face with other musicians or give you feedback on your performance, it can be a reasonable alternative especially if you have limited opportunities to play in ensembles.

Learn Jazz Standards has an extensive collection of Youtube videos containing play-along tracks and a website where students can download chord charts for free and play-along tracks for $1.99. The site also contains videos for each song that help students get more in-depth looks at the chord progressions.

QG Videos also features play-along tracks to jazz standards; the videos show the chord charts for the tunes. The Youtube channel offers several alternative versions of each track, including up tempo or slow and no piano.

Sometimes you might not want to practice an entire chord progression but just a section, such as a “ii-V-I” progression. Learn Jazz Now’s channel features several such videos, such as this one in the key of C – and for those who want something a little different, the same progression in the key of G-Flat.

Jazz Everyone offers a mix of instructional videos, play-along tracks and downloadable sheet music, including etudes based on popular chord progressions and concepts such as chromaticism and ii-V-I progressions. Some of the material is free; some of it can be accessed with a paid membership.

Jazz Practice Loops also offers play-along tracks, including ii-V-I progressions in all twelve keys as well as several articles about theory, scales, intervals and more.

While it’s not as interactive, Jazz Advice features articles about many aspects of musicianship, improvisation and jazz. including this one about how to hear chord changes and this list of ten essential jazz standards.

What about resources for smartphones for musicians on the go? Jazz Apps Mobile offers a series of fairly inexpensive apps that focus on aspects of improvisation including scales, progressions and even a jazz theory quiz.

These are just a few of the many products and sites available to help musicians with improvisation. Technology has made us a global society and music is the universal language so it’s only natural that cyberspace can provide the answers to the challenges one faces in becoming a great musician.

It should be noted that the sites listed above were picked by Outside Pedestrian because of their musical and educational value. The band did not accept any compensation or recognition by any of the publishers. However, if any of said publishers happen to be reading this and would like to reciprocate us in any way, feel free to.

July 20, 2020

How can I improve my phrasing?

If you’ve been around musicians enough or have read enough reviews of concerts and recordings, you’ve probably heard things along the lines of, “His/her phrasing is really good.” (Or perhaps, “His/her phrasing is terrible!”) What does that mean and how can you avoid having people say that your phrasing is terrible?

Phrasing refers to the feel and rhythm with which notes are played. The easiest way to picture it is to consider the differences in how people talk. Some people might talk as if they are in a hurry or nervous while others may speak in a way that seems relaxed. Similarly, musicians who are noted for great phrasing – Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, B.B. King and Herbie Hancock, to name a few – never seem as if they are rushed or in a hurry, even when they are playing fast. This video provides an entertaining demonstration of the basic parallels between speech phrasing and musical phrasing.

It’s important to note that phrasing, like other aspects of music, is partly subjective. If you have heard recordings of yourself playing and are not happy with your note phrasing – maybe because you are not leaving enough space; maybe because you are playing too on top of the beat; maybe because your rhythmic patterns seem predictable – read on.

The first step to achieving your phrasing goals is to decide what they are. Listen to players whose phrasing you are trying to emulate; especially those who play different instruments from you. A common mistake for beginning jazz pianists and guitarists is to play phrases that are too long, with no space. Since wind and brass players have to breathe, the phrasing of their solos reflects this. Pianists, guitarists, bassists and the like can practice singing along with their solos. Don’t worry about being perfect, that’s not the goal; the goal is to become more conscientious of what you are playing and why you are playing it.

The next step will depend on where your areas of weakness are. If you are still struggling to master a given tune’s chord progression, you will need to spend more time with it until it becomes second nature. Use a familiar progression, such as a twelve bar blues, to try out new phrasing and rhythmic ideas. If you are comfortable with the progression to the point of not having to think about it, try playing it at a different (preferably slower) tempo from what you are used to. Doing this will force you to listen more closely to where the beat and the time are and to come up with new ideas. Quoting the melody of a tune is an effective tool as well; maybe even find a different tune that works over the same progression.

More advanced techniques include starting your phrases on beats other than the downbeat (this analysis of John Coltrane’s solo on “Blue in Green” shows this concept in action), using poly-rhythms to create rhythmic tension (more on that here) and rhythmic motifs (repeating a rhythmic phrase with the same or different notes). Perhaps the most famous rhythmic motif of all time is heard in Beethoven’s fifth symphony; the rhythm of short-short-short-long appears throughout the entire composition. While classical music is written out note for note, it has much to teach improvisers in structuring a meaningful, memorable solo.

Like many other concepts in music, phrasing won’t be mastered overnight; it could be said that one never fully masters it. Just focus on setting goals, improving, being creative and having fun.

July 20, 2020 0

“How can I bring my B-Double Flat game to understanding accidentals?”

Okay, maybe we haven’t been asked that exact question, but in the classroom and in private lesson settings, we have often seen confusion about accidentals. When is a note called C sharp, when is it called D flat, and why does any of that matter?

Just because two notes sound the same, that doesn’t mean that they are the same. Words such as “red/read”, “two/too/to” and “be/bee” sound the same but are different. While the ear perceives C-sharp and D-flat the same way, if you are writing music for others to read, it is important to understand the difference.

RULES

Every modal scale (major, minor, mixolydian, etc) scale MUST have exactly one of every note letter: one A, one B, one C and so forth. For example, a D major scale must be spelled D – E – F# – G – A – B – C#. The F# cannot be called G-flat because then the scale would have two Gs (one flat, one natural) and no Fs; the C# cannot be called D-flat for the same reason.

Even scales that are not derived from modes such as melodic and harmonic minor must follow the same model. For example, an A harmonic minor scale must be spelled A – B – C – D – E – F – G#, because if the last note was spelled as A-flat, there would be no G and there would be two As.

When accidentals are used for notes non-diatonic to the key (F# in the key of C) the same rules apply, even if it is not as obvious. In “The Star Spangled Banner” it is correct to call the note above “The dawn’s earLY light” F# and not G-flat. F# is easier to read more closely related to the key of C than G-flat.

CONVENTIONS

In jazz and popular music, the rules are not as hard and fast, but it is still good to understand conventions of writing accidentals. A common example is in chromatic chord progressions. It is considered easier to read to use flats when descending and sharps when ascending. In this excerpt from Duke Ellington’s jazz standard “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” we see that the opening sequence of chords uses a D# between the Dm7 and C6/E chord (ascending) while the next sequence (descending) uses Bb7 between the B7 and A7 chords.

WHEN SHARPS AND FLATS ACT NATURALLY

Though it doesn’t often happen, a note with “flat” or “sharp” in its name can actually be a white key on the piano – that is to say, much more often known by another name. Below, we see an example (image from Basic Music Theory) of how a C# major scale looks on the piano. Notice how the E# is played on the key that would commonly be called “F” and the B# is played on the key that would commonly be called “C”. As discussed above, all major and minor scales must have one of every letter name and C# is no exception. Even though it would be tempting to call the note “F” out of familiarity, it is correct to call it E# for this reason.

We see the opposite in the C-flat major scale. The note that would more commonly be called “B” becomes C-flat and the “E” becomes F-flat.

Another way to think about it: to sharp a note, any note, is to raise the pitch by half a step and to flat a note is to lower it by half a step. This is true for black and white keys alike.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

If you’re ever reading through music and see two flat signs right next to each other before a note, you may think it’s a misprint. It’s not. It’s a double flat, which, like its counterpart the double sharp, is very rare but real nonetheless.

Outside of J.S. Bach’s “Well Tempered Clavier”, certain piano works by Chopin and Rachmaninoff and “The Black Page” by Frank Zappa, the area where one is most likely to find double sharps and flats is in diminished and augmented chords. An augmented triad, like other triads, consists of the first, third and fifth degrees of the scale. The “augmentation” occurs when the fifth is raised a half step compared to a major triad. In the example below, we see an F# triad (F#, A#, C#) leading to an F# augmented triad (F#, A#, C double-sharp). Strictly speaking, it is correct to call the top note of the F# augmented triad C double-sharp and not D, even though they sound the same. Theoretically, it is considered a sharp fifth and not a flat sixth. If the natural fifth is C#, the sharp (or augmented fifth) is C double-sharp.

This example illustrates the same idea, with a diminished seventh chord.

Because a seventh chord consists of the first, third, fifth and seventh degrees of the scale, it is technically correct to label the top note as a doubly-flatted 7th degree (B double-flat) instead of a natural 6th degree (A).

(Both images above courtesy of Practical Chords and Harmony)

TWO MNEMONICS TO HELP YOU REMEMBER SHARPS AND FLATS

If you have been playing music long enough, you have probably noticed that certain sharps, such as F and C, tend to be more common, as are flats such as B and E. That’s because on the Circle of Fifths, which maps out the relationship all keys have to each other, flats and sharps are always added in the same order. If a key signature is one sharp (G major, e minor) it is always F. If a key signature is two sharps, they will always be F and C and so forth, all the way up to seven. The same is true of flats, only in the opposite direction: F major and d minor have only one flat, B; Bb major and g minor have two flats (B and E) and so forth. These are also notes you are most likely to see as accidentals and that goes for double sharps and flats as well. If you’re going to see any double sharp, it will probably be F and if you see any double flat, it will probably be B.

To remember the order of the flats and sharps, try the following mnemonics:

(Flats – B E A D G C F)

Be Ever Alert During Guitar Class Fool

(Sharps – F C G D A E B)

Fine Classic Guitarists Demand Accurate Execution Baby

Good luck with your double sharps and flats and feel free to leave any questions or comments below.

July 20, 2020

“If I’m a pop/rock songwriter, should I still learn about music theory?”

Guest writers are always welcome to contribute to “Ask OP” as we value the diversity of perspectives and experiences and aim to make this section of the site as valuable and interesting as possible. We are proud to welcome Greg Daulton for this post. Originally a self-described “metal guy from Oakland”, Greg hadn’t studied any theory before attending Berklee College of Music, where “having to play catch-up” forced him to find “practical application of the techniques and theory studied,” which in turn influenced his philosophy as an educator. At Berklee, he completed an honors degree in film scoring. Currently Greg lives in Orange County and is the founder of The Rock Band Experience, a program where students form bands, write and perform original music. Greg is also the author of “The Complete Guide to Modern Songwriting.” He can be reached by email for more information about his projects.

One question I get asked all the time from aspiring musicians and students is:

“If I’m going to be a rock/pop star why do I need to know music theory?”

While the mention of music theory may seem intimidating to the emerging musician, it doesn’t necessary refer to the studies of fugue or species counterpoint. True, countless bands have put out tons of great music with little to no formal education but the techniques employed by these artists generally DO tend to follow the concepts studied in music theory whether they know it or not. No matter what instrument you play, understanding and applying theory can help you and your bandmates sound better.

Johnny Cash once said, “There’s no money past the third fret.” However, guitarists who can spell and construct chords will discover that the same shapes found in open chords may be played anywhere on the fretboard. This broadens the guitarist’s palette by facilitating different voicings in different registers and it also enables branching out beyond the common keys of “A”, “C”, “D”, “E” and “G”, providing a good weapon against songwriter’s block.

Understanding the characteristic sound and construction of scales and being fluent with them can help guitarists, keyboardists and bassists elaborate on musical ideas when playing lead or accompanying melodies. By understanding the relationship of diatonic notes to non-diatonic notes, musicians acquire the ability to create tension and release, add dissonance and make their ideas more vibrant.

Do drummers get a free pass from learning theory? Absolutely not! At the very least, a good drummer understands song form and can set up choruses, pre-choruses and other sections appropriately. Understanding beat placement and subdivisions is also important; supposedly Pete Best’s inability to play anything other than quarter notes on his bass drum was one of the reasons he was fired from the Beatles. Good drummers are adept with, or at least have an understanding of, odd times and polyrhythms; many working cover bands play songs such as Pink Floyd’s “Money” (7/4 time) and Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” (3/4 over 4/4). In the Doors’ “Light My Fire”, drummer John Densmore accents organist Ray Manzarek’s solo with some polyrhythmic figures, helping to build excitement. Lastly, remember that since drummers are often the butt of musician jokes (“how do you know when the stage is level? The drool comes out of both sides of the drummer’s mouth”) you can do your percussionist brothers and sisters proud by mastering theory and out-geeking your lead guitarist.

Each instrumentalist has their own contribution to make to the group’s collective sound: the bass line connects the drum beat and the harmony while the harmony connects the rhythm section to the melodic lines. Players who understand the inner workings of music can help their band break away from the traditional formulas of pop and rock and help create memorable exciting music that stands out from the masses.

July 20, 2020