Tension Resolution Improv on "Time After Time"

Tension Resolution (TR) on "Time After Time": One of the improvisational concepts that my students and I were working on this week in my improv classes at Berklee was that of TR. We chose specific tensions for each chord change on the beautiful standard "Time After Time" and improvised based upon the sounding of those tensions along with their resolution to the nearest chord tone. The constant tension and release creates forward motion in the improvised line and can be the basis of rich, melodic phrases. I think it's an important and fundamental improv concept that can also be effectively employed along with chord tone soloing. In the improv classes, we also focused on a number of other issues in the application of TR including: simple, melodic phrases; a relaxed, swinging time feel; motives; varied articulation; connecting the line from chord to chord; dynamic shaping of the phrases and rhythmic syncopation.

The concept of Tension Resolution (TR) is addressed in my book The Complete Guide to Improvisation. In the chapter, a three step process of TR is explained and demonstrated on the standard "All The Things You Are". Also included in the chapter are written out TR solos on "All The Things You Are", "Stella By Starlight" and "All Of Me".

A lead sheet of "Time After Time" including the listed tensions used in the TR application can be viewed and downloaded here:

Tension Resolution - Time After Time (PDF)

Ed Saindon's Fulcrum Grip

Past article & videoclips on the Fulcrum Grip.

"This grip really changed my playing since I started to implement and develop it years ago. There are some clips from past clinics posted on my YT channel that deal with the grip. I'm hoping to create a new videoclip that will illustrate and discuss details of the grip".

The Fulcrum Grip (Article)

Spicing Up A Standard

Article from 1985 addressing harmonic concepts as applied to Stella By Starlight. Hard to imagine that I wrote this 30 years ago. The great thing about music is that I'm still working on these concepts. It never ends.

Spicing Up A Standard (Article)

Expanding Sound Posibilities

Practicing today on sound possibilities in executing a line over C-7 F7 Bb Maj7. Focusing on variations with pedaling, dampening, deadstrokes, ghost notes, accents and stickings. The first example is fairly dry with no pedal. There are a lot of possibilities in executing a simple line like this. Here is the line that I'm playing: 

II-7 V7 Imaj7 Line

Joe Locke on "But Not For Me"

Here is a transcription of a solo by Joe Locke on the tune "But Not For Me" (Gershwin) with the reharmonized "Coltrane Chord Changes", which Coltrane originally recorded on the classic album "My Favorite Things".  The project and record date of "Five For John" was put together by renown italian pianist Dado Moroni, who assembled a great band to pay tribute to John Coltrane, with Joe Locke on vibraphone, Marco Panascia on bass, Alvin Queen on drums and guest Max Ionata on sax.  This is without a doubt Joe's territory and he is rightly backed up by a superb rhythm section, really embodying the spirit of Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones & Steve Davis.  Joe's playing on the whole record is truly stunning.  It's great to follow the transcription along with the audio and analyze the lines.  I may attach my own analysis in the future.

The album is available through iTunes, Amazon & Google Play as mp3 downloads.  It was produced and released by the italian label "Via Veneto Jazz", in case you'd like to do some research. Gustavo.

But Not For Me (transcription)

The Language of Joe Locke

This is an article recently written for PAS. It addresses a transcribed solo on the standard "It Could Happen To You" performed by Joe Locke on vibes and Ed Saindon on piano. 

The playing took place during a long weekend that Joe Locke, Ed Saindon and I spent together at Ed's house in December 2009.  Joe and Ed picked each other's brains, shared improvisational concepts and played hours worth of improvised music.  This was one of the many instances Joe got carried away while demonstrating an improvisational idea to us.  

The article (transcription & analysis) was published in two parts.  Here is a PDF containing Part One & Part Two, as well as my original transcription (reads better).  Hope you find this as inspiring as I do.  Gustavo

Click the link below to visualize/download the PDF:

It Could Happen To You

Dave Samuels & Lyle Mays

Nice clip of a full concert from 1992 with Dave Samuels on vibes, Lyle Mays on piano, Steve Rodby on bass & Will Kennedy on drums (and guitarrist Michael Sagmeister on some tunes).

Improv Concepts By Ed Saindon

This was a short clinic presentation at Berklee College of Music on Friday, July 8th. The clinic focused on improv concepts and was presented to the faculty of the Summer Performance Program. Topics covered in the clinic: Tension Resolution, Four Note Groupings and Major 7th #5 Superimposition.

Here Ed is playing three solos he wrote over the changes of three different standards. Each focuses on a specific improv technique. 

The first and second solos use Ed's "Tension Resolution" concept, and are based on the standards "All The Things You Are" & "Stella By Starlight". 

The third solo uses Ed's "Four Note Groupings" concept, and is based on the standard "I Love You".

The fourth solo uses Ed's "Major 7 #5 Superimposition" concept, and is based on the standard "Stella By Starlight".

Here are the written solos:

Improv Concepts (Written Solos)

Satellite - Joe Locke

A video clip Joe sent Ed & I over a year ago with my transcription of the first two choruses. This is one of Joe's practice sessions over Coltrane's tune "Satellite", which is based on the standard "How High The Moon". Joe was incredibly kind to let us share this treasure with you. I also
thought this would be a nice "segue" to Ed's great solo over Coltrane's tune "Giant
Steps", which we posted earlier this month. The connection being that on "Satellite"
Coltrane also used the "three tonic system" as re-harmonization technique. #AllThingsVibraphone #BerkleeMalletsNetwork


Click link below for transcription and analysis.

"Satellite" (Transcription)

Giant Steps Solo

Here's a one chorus solo over Coltrane's Giant Steps. 

The composition is based upon the three tonic system which divides the octave into three equidistant parts. As a start, we can solo only using the three major scales of the three tonal areas of B, G and Eb. Another possibility is to use a major pentatonic scale (1, 2, 3, 5 & 6) a 5th above each of those keys.

This solo uses the major pentatonic scale a 5th above the major chords. (The pentatonic over the Maj chord omits the root and the 4rth, which can be good notes to leave out). 

However, on the V7s and II-7 V7s, I'm using a symmetrical diminished scale (H/W from the root of the Dom7th chord). The Sym Dim scale used over the II-7 V7 may sound a little out but it can create interesting lines in the context of the II-7 V7.  How "out" it sounds depends on the specific notes in the Sym Dim scale that are chosen and emphasized.

Text continues in the downloadable pdf file below:

"Giant Steps" (Written Solo)