GUITAR THEORY: Jazz Harmony Embellishments

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Andrew Wasson of Creative Guitar Studio answers a viewers question...

Q: For the past three months I've been working on trying to play Jazz. Currently, I'm getting into creating melodies over basic Jazz chord changes. What I'd like to get better at is how embellishing and targeting works. Are roots important? Or, should I focus on the 5th, the 3rd or maybe the 7th? And, what should be done regarding extensions (9th, 11th & 13th) and also how do altered tones get targeted? Thank You.
Howard - Buffalo, NY. USA

A: When it comes to Jazz Harmony accents and embellishments, it is important to select the chord tone that will work the best for the particular melody being built. In some certain situations the chord tone for creating a nice resolution, might simply be the 3rd or the 7th. Other times it might be the 5th. If extensions are involved then perhaps the 9th, 11th or 13th will work nicely. And, quite often when it comes to altered chords, the altered 'augmented or diminished' chord tones are so distinct that we might find it best to target into them for the melodic embellishment that works best. In the lesson, we'll explore each of these areas, and through testing each example, we'll have the chance to notice how each target tone and embellishment affects both harmony and melody.

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This weeks Guitar Lesson: "Jazz Harmony Embellishments."
[GUITAR THEORY]

Handout will be available on: Sunday January 04, 2014

[sempertympanis]

You make everything so understandable! Thanks for all your work in music education!!!

[ronhurak]

I agree with Stein Bernau - your YouTube video lessons are the best on the internet. Please continue and I will continue to watch, learn and of course . . . donate! In this lesson I think the best way I can sum up what you are illustrating is that "if it sounds good . . . it is good! If it sounds like shit . . . it is shit!" I think I picked that up from Justin Sandercoe. I think my ears are starting to forget the complex structure of chord tones and just go with creating melodic sounds that resonate best with the chord changes. Knowing all of the various scale patterns and arpeggios is a "must know" skill set so that I can pick and choose from the array of options available to me. Curious as to your thoughts on my post . . . and yes . . . donation on the way :-)