JoeRPorter
Tiger Talk Trainee
Reged: Sep 19 2007
Posts: 30
Loc: Canada
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My question is how far do you take theory when you solo.
Some people have told me not to think too scaler, start with somethings like guide tones, 3, 7's and build you're solo up from there. Use different arpegios, neighbor motions, digital patterns, apply some tri-tone subs ext..
Some people have told me to think more scaler, when this chord comes up you have play a c melodic scale or a c blues scale over etc..
What is your opinion on how much theory to know.
Do you think it is reasonable to know the major scale modes, bebop scales, synthetic scales? Is it worth the time to learn all of the melodic scale modes or just the melodic scale?
What is the most practical approach? It seems overwelming to me to learn all of the major scale modes, all of the melodic scale modes, all of the synthetic scales etc.
thanks alot!
Joe
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Percussion Performance Major at University of Lethbridge Alberta, Teacher : Adam Mason
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James Walker
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Mar 18 2002
Posts: 1128
Loc: Connecticut
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Theory is great in terms of expanding one's vocabulary.
Knowledge is good. Knowing more things than you used to know is good.
HOWEVER...when soloing...I'll just speak for myself...when soloing, I know I'm in trouble if I'm thinking "OK, G dorian...B diminished...Eb major pentatonic..." Now, I know all of that stuff, but it's not occupying my conscious thoughts when I'm improvising.
Charlie Parker once said something along the lines of, "learn everything you can, and then forget it all and just play." (I need to look up the exact quote - something tells me I'm not doing justice to Bird with the way I'm paraphrasing.) The point is, learn as much as you can, gather as much information, but when you're playing, you have to trust your instincts, and your ears.
There's a lot to be learned when it comes to jazz harmony, and harmony in general - it's a long-term project, that's for sure. Nobody ever finishes learning harmony - there is always something new to learn. However, simply knowing this material won't make anyone a great improviser, just like memorizing the dictionary won't make anyone a great storyteller.
Yes, learn your theory - jazz theory, "classical" theory...learn how other cultures organize their music (Indonesian gamelan music, North Indian and South Indian, Chinese...etc.). Learn it with the idea that you'll internalize it, so your note choices will be guided by your ears and your instincts, and not by mathematics.
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moderator, mallet forum
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