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)

Harmonic Practices

Guys, here's an article on various harmonic devices that can be applied in improvisation. Feel free to let me know if there are any questions or if something is not clear. Happy Easter! Ed


Harmonic Practices

Chord Melody - You Are Too Beautiful

Hello fellow vibists, here's a chord melody solo to the standard You Are Too Beautiful. Some of the voicings are pretty standard while some are a little more adventurous. For the most part, I stayed with the standard changes with a little reharm here and there. Let me know if you have any questions. Ed


Here is the score:
Chord Melody on "You Are Too Beautiful"

Four Note Groupings On Rhythm Changes

Think of Four Note Groupings as an improv technique that can generate interesting lines which sound rich colorful notes over the underlying harmony. I just heard a Kenny Kirkland solo yesterday and it was burning. He was using a lot of four note groupings among other things.  

Ed 


(Click on the link below to visualize the solo and comments)

Four Note Groupings Solo On Rhythm Changes

The Sorcerer - Herbie Hancock

Great example of exclusive use of the Four Note Grouping technique in the opening of  Herbie's solo on "The Sorcerer", from the 1968 album,"Speak Like A Child". Herbie's harmonic and melodic depth back then was stunning. Some other nice techniques evident in this solo are Pentatonics, Upper Structure Triads along with Approach & Passing Notes  and great motivic playing. Gustavo


Here is the transcription:

The Sorcerer - Transcription
The Sorcerer - Audio

You Don't Know What Love Is - Joe Locke

An old transcription of mine of "You Don't Know What Love Is" played by the great Joe Locke. This is from Joe's 1994 trio recording "Very Early" with bassist Ron McClure and drummer Adam Nussbaum. Joe's playing has evolved immensely since then, yet he was playing at an incredible high level. Gustavo

Go here to visualize/download the transcription:

You Don't Know What Love Is - Joe Locke

Gary Burton on "Motivic Development & Dynamics"

Here is the audio & transcription of an improv clinic by Gary Burton in Argentina in 1985 dealing with "Motivic Development & Dynamics" on the chord changes to the standard "On Green Dolphin Street".

It's great to hear/see how Gary manipulates three different motivic ideas on "letter A,B & C" of the transcription. The rest is a demonstration on the importance of dynamic contour in lines. I put in some dynamic markings. You may want to plug in the chord changes once you've downloaded the file. Gustavo





Go here to visualize/download the transcription:

Gary Burton - Motivic Development & Dynamics - "On Green Dolphin Street"

Michael Brecker

Valuable example and information from a humble master. Joe hipped Gustavo and me to this clip of Michael. Inspiring. The quest for growth never ends. At least it shouldn't. Ed