Moving chord tones (part 1)

 
Hi!

Today we'll talk about chords, intervals and modes. Here my purpose is to show a cool approach to link a few concepts.

The hidden challenge is to get out of the confort zone and find creative tools that can be used in composition, improvisation and accompaniment.

We'll work on a F#7 chord. The related diatonic mode is F#7 mixolydian, 5th degree of the B major scale.

(fig. 1) displays the most common way of playing F#7.
If we strip down this chord we come up with the most significant notes: the root, the third, the seventh. See (fig. 2) in this case : F# (root), A# (third) and E (seventh).
The third and the seventh of a chord are called "chord tones".

Put into practice, (fig. 1) may work in pop or rock, but might quite irrelevant in an improvised music context (such as jazz) where a minimalist approach of chords such as (fig. 2) is more than welcome to give some fresh air to the music.

Since we talk about F#7, let's talk about F#7 mixolydian. See (fig. 3).
Simply put, this is B major scale starting on the 5th degree (F#).

Now let's play intervals and build chords tones on each degree of F# mixolydian.
Step 1 is to harmonize F# mixolydian in sevenths. See (fig. 4)
Step 2 is to harmonize F# mixolydian in tenths. The 10th of a chord is just the 3rd an octave higher. See (fig. 5)

When we mix (fig. 4) and (fig. 5) we come up with F# mixolydian harmonized in chord tones.
You can play this harmonization in vertical (fig. 6) but also in a horizontal approach to reach higher notes.
(fig. 7) is built on F# mixolydian played 3 notes per string.

Let's go back to the usual way to practice a major scale and apply to F# mixolydian.
We all know how to play B major scale broken into thirds, (fig. 8).
If we apply the chord tones harmonization on this pattern we play (fig. 9). This is a vertical approach of F# mixolydian.
Of course F# mixolydian can be played horizontally, with 3 notes per string for example. And now you have the necessary tools to play this phrase by yourself...    :)

To be continued 

Have fun!

Jean-François


Don't hesitate to drop a comment to let me know about your thoughts on this blog post. THANKS !

www.soubelet.com