major scale / interval studies

The major scale / interval studies are basically melodic exercises to strengthen one's knowledge and abilities with the pitches and intervals of the major scale color. For example, compare the following ideas. Example 1.

So, we are simply taking the pitches of the C major scale and creating a new melodic idea by permutating it's pitches diatonically using the interval of a third? Yep. Cool? In the case of thirds it is simply every other pitch. Like arpeggios? Exactly. Perhaps by trying to run this last idea through all 12 keys will give you a sense of the challenge of the interval studies. So, just how giant are the rewards for the creative artist, in technical facility, knowledge of our instruments and improving our aural abilities, by "working out" with the interval studies?

Interval studies examples. The low to high pitch range of the following ideas is quite large, simply adapt the interval motion to what ever pitches are best under your fingers.

Diatonic C major scale in major and minor seconds. Example 1.

Ascending in thirds. Example 2.

Descending thirds moving up stepwise. Example 3.

Alternating upward and downward thirds. Example 4.

Alternating downward and upward thirds and stepwise motion. Example 5.

Motion upwards in fourths. Example 6.

Motion down in fourths ascending stepwise. Example 7.

Up a fourth then up stepwise followed by motion down a fourth. Example 8.

Basically the reverse of the preceding example. Example 9.

Diatonic motion upwards in fifths. Example 10.

Diatonic motion downward in fifths. Example 11.

By fifth then stepwise then down by fifth. Example 12.

Reverse of above idea. Example 13.

Motion upward in diatonic sixths. Example 14.

Downward motion in sixths. Example 15.

Upward by sixth then by step. Example 16.

Repermutation of above idea. Example 17.

Moving in sevenths. Example 18

Motion downward in sevenths. Example 19.

Motion by seventh then by step. Example 20.

Retrograde inversion of the above lick. Example 21.

Octave motion up and down. Example 22.

By octave then step. Example 23.

Compound intervals. Compound intervals are those that exceed the span of one octave. Although usually associated with the chords / harmony, we do find the compound intervals melodically, especially in the improvisations. Continuing with the above format, the following possibilities emerge.

Upward and downward diatonic motion by major 9th. Example 24.

By major 9th then step. Example 25.

Upward and downward diatonic motion by major 10th. Example 26.

By major 10th then step. Example 27.

Upward and downward diatonic motion by perfect 11th. Example 28.

So, how to take a nice melodic idea and work it? Well, there's lots of ways. Sing the line, play the line, sing a variation, play the variation. Swing the rhythm of the line. Make it bluesy. Run part of the idea through a diatonic filter. Perhaps use the intervals, play it backwards, twice as fast, up in half steps, through a key cycle... How a particular artist works their magic with melodic ideas is what makes it "their" magic. Where to start? Listening and emulating your favorite players. Jamm along with recordings. Find an idea you dig and explore ways to shape and reshape it. Look to permutation / sequence for more "treatments" on developing your melodic ideas. Here is a beginning list of jazz titles to explore all writtin in the major tonality. Learning melodies is The source for melodic coolness, intervals and ideas. Have you been able to locate a real book yet?

A Foggy Day	Accustomed to Her Face	All Blues
All the Things You Are	A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square	As Time Goes By
Au Privave	Autumn in NY	Autumn Leaves
Billy Boy	Blue Monk	Blue Train
Blues Walk	Black Orpheus	Black Nile
Body and Soul	C Jam Blues	(They) Can't Take That Away
Cherokee	Close to You	Confirmation
Daahound	Days of Wine and Roses	Desafinado
Dindi	Donna Lee	East of the Sun
End of a Love Affair	Falling in Love with Love	Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum
Footprints	Giant Steps	God Bless the Child
Green Dolphin Street	Greensleeves	Have You Met Miss Jones
Here's That Rainy Day	Hey Jude	How High the Moon / Ornithology
I Let a Song	I Remember April	I'm Old Fashioned
Impanema	Impressions / So What	Infant Eyes
In a Sentimental Mood	Joy Spring	Just Begun
Just Friends	Killer Joe	Like Someone in Love
Lucky Southern	Lush Life	Michelle
Misty	Moments Notice	Moonlight in Vermont
My Favorite Things	My Foolish Heart	My Funny Valentine
My One and Only Love	My Romance	Naima
Nicas Dream	Norwegian Wood	Old Folks
On A Clear Day	On Broadway	Once I Loved
One Note Samba	Out Of Nowhere	Over the Rainbow
Peg's Blue Skylight	Pennies from Heaven	Perdido

Prelude to a Kiss	Quiet Nites	Round About Midnight
Samba D'Orpheo	Satin Doll	Scrapple From The Apple
Skylark	Smoke Gets in Your Eyes	Solar
Solitude	Someone to Watch Over Me	Sophisticated Lady
Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most	Stella by Starlight	Stompin at the Savoy
Straight No Chaser	Strollin	Suger
Summertime	Swing Low Sweet Chariot	Tenderly
Tenor Madness	The Way You Look Tonight	Till There Was You
Triste	Unforgettable	Watch What Happens
Wave	What a Wonderful World	When I Fall in Love
When Irish Eyes are Smiling	When Sunny Gets Blue	When The Saints Go Marching In
When You Wish Upon A Star	Wildflower	Witch Hunt
Yardbird Suite	Yesterday

Whats your favorite tune? What are the key intervals in it's makeup? Need a heavier interval workout and challenge? Click here.

Where to next?

review new ideas

They who have a why to live for can bear almost any how. Friedrich Nietzsche