THE
INTERVALLIC APPROACH
Last time around, we discussed different ways of playing the major scale
in an effort to train our ears to recognize and incorporate more interesting
shapes and phrases in our playing. I stressed how important it is to
learn the sound of each pattern in addition to the pattern, itself.
The goal in all of this is to promote a higher level of familiarity
with the sound of different shapes so that we may ultimately play what
we hear. Remember: It is not enough to simply memorize the pattern,
itself. We need to learn the SOUND of each pattern.
This article will focus on the application of intervals when working
with scale forms. An interval is the distance between 2 notes. Most
every musical component containing more than a single note can be looked
at as a series of intervals. For example, the major scale can be looked
at as a series of whole step and half step intervals, as shown in Figs.
1a and 1b:
Fig. 1a
Fig. 1b
Similarly, a major 7 chord can be looked at as being built using major
third and minor third intervals, as shown in Figs. 2a and 2b:
Fig. 2a
Fig. 2b
One of the problems that some players face when learning to solo
is the challenge of how to make their ideas sound less scalar and more
melodic. This is one of the symptoms that accompanies an exclusively
pattern based approach to improvising that I have talked about in previous
columns. Although it still requires a pattern style workout at first
to learn the sound of each shape, practicing these less familiar shapes
can get us out of a rut and influence our phrasing in fresher ways.
For example, there are a variety of intervallic patterns that can be
applied to scales to make them sound more interesting. A practice regimen
that includes a variety of intervallic approaches can make our basic
ideas sound much less contrived and subsequently train our ears to incorporate
these new ideas into our playing.
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For
the following examples, we will refer again to our trusty major scale
pattern. Each individual exercise will take a chosen interval and apply
it to each note of the major scale within a particular position. I suggest
starting with the 3 note per string positions for the major scale, as
demonstrated in previous columns. (See figs. 3a.-3c.)
Fig. 3a
Fig. 3b
Fig. 3c
To keep the exercises concise, I will use the range of a 4 string bass,
utilizing a G major scale starting on the 3rd fret E string. Remember
to keep your hand in position as shown, using only the fingerings specified
for the duration of each exercise.
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Intervallic
2nds
Each successive note in the scale is followed by the note a diatonic
2nd higher. The exercise written in scale degrees would look like this:
Ascending: 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, 5-6, 6-7, 7-8, 8-9, 9-10, 10-11, 11-12
Descending: 12-11, 11-10, 10-9, 9-8, 8-7, 7-6, 6-5, 5-4, 4-3, 3-2, 2-1
Ex. 1
Intervallic 3rds
Each successive note in the scale is followed by the note a diatonic
3rd higher. The exercise written in scale degrees would look like this:
Ascending: 1-3, 2-4, 3-5, 4-6, 5-7, 6-8, 7-9, 8-10, 9-11, 10-12
Descending: 12-10, 11-9, 10-8, 9-7, 8-6, 7-5, 6-4, 5-3, 4-2, 3-1
Ex. 2
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Intervallic
4ths
Ascending: 1-4, 2-5, 3-6, 4-7, 5-8, 6-9, 7-10, 8-11, 9-12
Descending: 12-9, 11-8, 10-7, 9-6, 8-5, 7-4, 6-3, 5-2, 4-1
Ex. 3
Intervallic 5ths
Ascending: 1-5, 2-6, 3-7, 4-8, 5-9, 6-10, 7-11, 8-12
Descending: 12-8, 11-7, 10-6, 9-5, 8-4, 7-3, 6-2, 5-1
Ex. 4
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Intervallic
6ths
Ascending: 1-6, 2-7, 3-8, 4-9, 5-10, 6-11, 7-12
Descending: 12-7, 11-6, 10-5, 9-4, 8-3, 7-2, 6-1
Ex. 5
Intervallic 7ths
Ascending: 1-7, 2-8, 3-9, 4-10, 5-11, 6-12
Descending: 12-6, 11-5, 10-4, 9-3, 8-2, 7-1
Ex. 6
Practice these exercises using other modes and scale types over
the full range of your neck. Be very disciplined with your technique
and timing as you practice. Soon, you will hear these ideas work their
way into your playing as their sounds become more familiar to you.
Until next time!
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