• PowerPoint, Piano and Voice

• Handouts in Sibelius/PDF format

• 3 hour workshop

• Introduction to Tetrachords

• Integrate theory, ear training and improvisation
   

 

Using extracts from Chris’s Vocalist as Complete Musician methodology. The work is based around a series of exercises integrating the use of tetra chords, scales and chords. We start from a simple template, moving on to work from several scale sources. Scales are internalized by using a combination of tetrachords (major, minor 1 (dorian), minor 2 (phrygian), whole tone (lydian), diminished & harmonic). The exercises explore chord/scale relationships in jazz harmony, sourcing several scales – major, minor, melodic, harmonic, diminished (whole/1/2 and 1/2/whole).

The pentatonic scale (minor/major) and be bop scales are also explored over sets of chord progressions. Finally, we move on to creating melodic passages and motifs, using scalar fragments over specific sets of changes/songs.

This work develops the vocal ear for hearing and improvising over more complex harmony. Ear training, improvisation and theory are taught at one and the same time, providing the student of vocal jazz with the same tools that jazz instrumentalists use to navigate their way through musical passages.

By learning how to integrate scalar fragments over various sets of chord changes, the student gains more freedom and confidence as an improvisor. It also gives vocal students a template to analyze and prepare pieces of music for improvisation as well as developing arranging and composing skills. This work is predominately piano based. Workshop presentations require the use of smart board and piano.