Anatomy of a Melody, Part 2

Part 2: Learning chordal dependence over a II-V-I chord progression

by Javier Arau © 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Scroll through the lesson below, or download the lesson as a printable PDF

Introduction

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One of the fundamental challenges of improvising over a basic II-V-I chord progression is knowing how to move smoothly from one chord to another, matching each new chord in the cycle. This may be achieved by maintaining a steady focus on chord tones, which tend to change with each new chord. This focus on chord tones is called “chordal dependence,” and the resulting melody can be quite consonant and strikingly beautiful.

Understanding basic II-V-I chord triads

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Before you get to improvising over a II-V-I progression, you should first understand a bit about the origins of II-V-I chord triads. The I, II, and V chords are all based on the tonic I scale (Examples 1a-b). This scale can be played over all three chords of the II-V-I progression. The tonic I chord triad uses scale steps 1, 3, 5; the II chord triad uses scale steps 2, 4, 6; the V chord triad uses scale steps 5, #7, 2 (Ex. 2). The II-V-I progression is very often a 4-measure pattern, with 2 measures of tonic I, 1 measure of II, and 1 measure of V (Ex. 2).

Example 1a:

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Example 1b:

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Example 2:

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Understanding basic II-V chord extensions

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To play an effective, chordally dependent solo, knowing simple triads is often not enough. You must also get to know the upper extensions of the II chord and the V chord. Example 3 illustrates every chord tone within the II and V chords, including common chord tone extensions. The chord tones presented here greatly increase the melodic possibilities, but the sheer number of tones can be a bit overwhelming at first.

Example 3:

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Limiting the melodic focus (to 1, 3, 5 and 2, 4, 6)

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Instead of handling so many chord tones and extensions at once, and to keep things concise, try limiting the chord tones to 1, 3, 5 over the I chord and 2, 4, 6 over the II and V chords (Ex. 4). Most new improvisers tend to approach each new chord with a focus on the tonic of each new chord: centering on G for G minor, A for A minor, and D for D7. A melody can sound really choppy and predictable if you jump so abruptly from one chord center to another, particularly over the V chord, whose basic triad is really far away from both the I and II chords (see Ex. 2). The subtle shift up from 1, 3, 5 to 2, 4, 6 will not only ease your improvising experience, it will also help keep the voice-leading between notes clear, strong, and not at all choppy. Examples 5 and 6 both illustrate melodic, chordal dependence, focusing on 1, 3, 5 (over the I chord) and 2, 4, 6 (over the II and V chords).

Example 4:

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Example 5:

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Example 6:

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Broadening the melodic focus to include all chord tones

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Now that you have become familiar with the basic melodic movement from 1, 3, 5, to 2, 4, 6, you can broaden your options by including all available chord tones, as introduced in example 3. Among the remaining chord tones to be explored, scale step 1 functions as a point of resolution over the II7 chord, and scale steps 5 and #7 function as points of resolution over the V7 chord. Example 7 illustrates use of the raised-7 on the V7 chord. Example 8 illustrates a brief use of 1 over the minor II7 chord and the use of the raised-7 and 5 on the V7 chord.

Example 7:

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Example 8:

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Conclusion

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Becoming familiar with the top and bottom parts of the tonic scale is essential to gaining a strong sense of chordal dependence. Focusing on scale steps 1, 3, 5 and 2, 4, 6 develops the bottom and middle of the scale; including all the chord tones helps develop an understanding of the entire tonic scale. To become fully in control of your melodic line, continue to work on shifting to and from a tonic 1, 3, 5, as the chords dictate. The resulting melodies can be inspiring and beautiful, to say the least.

Next time: Gaining melodic independence over a II-V-I progression

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While relying on the pattern of tension and release inherent in the chord progression can often lead to a very satisfying melody, if you center only on chord tones, you are not maximizing your melodic potential. By increasing levels of tension and release within each chord, you will gain melodic independence, which will bring you one step closer to artistic freedom.
Bonus: 6 minute play-a-long track. Practice making your own melodies, using the G natural minor scale, with an added F#.

Play-a-long for C instruments:

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Play-a-long for B-flat instruments:

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Play-a-long for E-flat instruments:

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