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A Simple Exercise HOME

February 21, 2011 BLOG
BIO
This post is the first part in a series about deliberate practice, SCHEDULE
structure and creativity. PROJECTS
RECORDINGS
A Simple Exercise (Part 1) PRESS KIT
Exploring the Simple Exercise (Part 2) POST
Deliberate Practice and Structured Activities (Part 3) CONTACT
Creativity and Structured Activities (Part 4)
Three Reflections on Creativity (Part 5)
Three Reflections on Structure (Part 6)
Three More Reflections on Structure (Part 7)
Structure and Education (Part 8 )
Structure, Society and the Arts (Part (9)

- - -
G
Geett EEm
maaiill U
Uppd
daatteess
Sometimes, when students play for me, I hear that theyre not
playing through the changes. G
Geett R
RSSS
S U
Uppd
daatteess

More specifically, theyre playing vertically, rather than

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Rather than this:

The first example neglects the voice leading thats inherent in the progression. The second example not
only acknowledges the voice leading, but toys with it too.

I usually prescribe the following exercise, which at first seems easy, but my students come back next
lesson so frustrated, they say they want to strangle me.

Check it out; here are the rules:

Pick a tune. Preferably a blues to start.

Left hand plays roots; right hand improvises.
Rhythmically, you must improvise steady, constant 8th notes (no rests!).
Youre only allowed to move by step (intervals of a 2nd), no repeating notes!
Chord tones must land on all downbeats.

The be-bop scale is recommended because it helps determine the chord tones; but its not mandatory.

A chorus though the blues may look like this:

Try it!

S
Shhaarree tthhiiss::

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- A Simple Exercise | Chris Donnelly's Blog http://www.chrisdonnellymusic.com/Blog/Blog.php/a-simple...

Related posts:
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1. Teaching Jazz Piano: A New Strategy
2. Autopilot
3. More Kapustin Fingering
4. Priorities in Music Education Classical, Jazz, Jazz Nerds and More (Part 1/2)
5. Find Your Voice

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