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Piano Improvisation#

Course from Cornell#

Intro:
Will be playing (I should check the modes intro as to why)
1. Cmin7 with the C dorian scale (2nd mode of Bb major).
2. Fmaj with the F mixolydian scale (5th mode of Bb major).
3. Abmaj7 with the Ab lydian scale (4th mode of Eb).
4. Bbmaj with Bb mixolydian (5th mode of Eb).

Course Gary Burton#

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2txO_u2eNg
10 most common scales (the 7 modes, )

Writing methods#

  • Vertical writing is doing it as a measure. Each instrument can end up then getting a boring piece.
  • However, horizontal writing you write each piece individually for each instrument. Thad Jones wrote like this. In this way, every instrument might have its own melody.

From the horizontal writing you end up with interesting voices "kids are pretty people" by thad jones (village vanguard orchestra)
For piano we want to achieve more of this style!