Vertical Improvisation

This is a past article from 2000 that addresses a variety of Tension Resolution techniques for jazz improvisation.

Vertical Improvisation (Article)

Motivic Development & Dynamics by Gary Burton

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"

Over The Rainbow - Keith Jarrett Changes

Solo piano clip of 2 choruses of Harold Arlen's "Over The Rainbow" with Keith Jarrett changes along with modulation as follows: first A in Eb, second A in F, bridge in F and last A in Db. This was taped during my Berklee improv class this past summer by pianist Ricardo Curto. The lead sheet can be viewed & downloaded here:

Over The Rainbow - Jarrett Changes

Upper Structure Triads on "Autumn Leaves"

Upper Structure Triads (USTs) is one of the chapters that will be addressed in Volume Two of The Complete Guide To Improvisation. Here is an example that illustrates the use of USTs on the first 8 measures of "Autumn Leaves".

Here's the link to download text & written music:

UST on Autumn Leaves

Tension Resolution Solo on "All Of Me"

One chorus solo on the standard "All of Me" utilizing the concept of Tension Resolution. This written out solo appears in my article on Tension Resolution published in the Summer 2014 issue of Berklee Today. Here's the link to the article: 

Tension Resolution Concept (Article)

Here is a PDF of the solo on "All Of Me", as played in the clip below: 

Tension Resolution Solo on "All Of Me"

Chord Tone Soloing Article

The examples in this article on Chord Tone Soloing are directly from the book The Complete Guide To Improvisation.  I think it's an important topic since being able to create a strong solo with only chord tones is fundamental to being a good improvisor. I spend a good deal of time on this topic in my improvisation class at Berklee. When learning a new tune, improvising with strictly chord tones is a good way to begin and really learn the changes.

Additional areas addressed in the chord tone soloing chapter of the book include: phrasing, guide tone lines, creating a solo with guide tone lines, creating a chord tone solo with specific intervals, and chord tone solos on Coltrane's Moment's Notice and Irving Berlin's How Deep Is The Ocean. Here are a few things to look out for in the solo (based on Coltrane's Moment's Notice) in this article: use of guide tone lines, motives, how the chords are connected, use of syncopation.

It's not easy to create a nice sounding solo with strictly chord tones since all of the notes are stable and "inside" notes. Because of that, we need resort to the use of motives, variety of phrase lengths, starting and ending phrases in varying places, pacing, rhythmic variation, melodic angularity, etc, in order to build a strong solo. The goal is to try and make the chord tone solo sound melodic, flowing and musical as opposed to an exercise. It's not necessary to sound all of the chord tones for each chord. Also, it's helpful to avoid sounding arpeggios and running the chords up and down. 

A few other things to think about: try to sound a single melodic idea across the bar line as opposed to playing an idea in one measure and another idea on the next measure. Another thing to keep in mind is to avoid consistently hitting beat one.

You can download the article here:

Chord Tone Soloing (Article)

Tension Resolution Technique on "All The Things You Are"

This clip features an improvised solo over the changes to "All The Things You Are" using the improvisational concept of Tension Resolution. The concept focuses on sounding a tension and subsequent resolution for each chord change. 

This improv technique can create rich, forward moving lines that sound the changes while avoiding licks. I use this concept with my students and get good results fairly quickly. 

Here are some page excerpts from the chapter on Tension Resolution. The four pages list the steps that can be used to begin to work on the concept. The last page is the written out solo that I am playing in this clip. Here's the link:

All The Things You Are (TR Scheme & Solo)

This written out solo is an excerpt from the The Complete Guide To Improvisation available through Amazon, the Berklee College of Music bookstore and edsaindon.com. Other solos in the book include "Stella By Starlight" and "All Of Me". Concepts in the book include Chord Tone Soloing, Tension Resolution, Chord Scale Theory, Chord Scale Application & Practices and Harmonic Practices.

Here is another excerpt from the book proposing some considerations in dealing with "Tensions":

Considerations In The Use Of Tensions (excerpt)

Altered Pentatonics on "On Green Dolphin Street"

Practicing improv and the application of Pentatonic scales (with one alteration) on Green Dolphin Street. The scales bring out unusual notes over the chords (#9 and #5 on Maj 7, natural 7 and #11 on Min 7 and the combination of natural/altered tensions on the Dom 7 chords).

Here is a sheet that lists the pentatonic choices that I'm referring to when soloing:

On Green Dolphin St. (Alt.Pentatonic Chart)

Pentatonics on "On Green Dolphin Street"

Here is Ed Saindon practicing improv over the chord progression to the standard "On Green Dolphin Street" before a class at Berklee a few months ago. 

"Pentatonics" is one of five chapters in Ed Saindon's "The Complete Guide To Improvisation - Volume Two", now available through Amazon, Ed Saindon's Online Store and The Berklee Bookstore.

The improvised solo in this clip was later transcribed by German vibist Volker Heuken. 

To view and download the Volker's transcription and the chart that lists the Pentatonics being used in this clip, go here: 

On Green Dolphin St. (Transcription & Pentatonics Chart)

FNGs, Pentatonics, USTs & US7th Chords on "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To"

Practicing improvisation on Cole Porter's "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To". Mixing up improvisational techniques including Four Note Groupings, Pentatonic Scales and Upper Structure Triads/7th chords.

Four Note Groupings on "Giant Steps"

Berklee Improv Class - Applying the improvisational concept of Four Note Groupings over John Coltrane's Giant Steps. In my 39th year of teaching and it continues to be a pleasure teaching these talented and motivated musicians. I feel fortunate to be able to pass on the information as well as learn and grow along with the students.

To view and download the list of 4 Note Groupings that are being applied to Giant Steps, go here: 

Giant Steps (FNG Chart)

Take One:

Take Two:

Upper Structure Triads on "What Is This Thing Called Love"

Improvising with Upper Structure Triads (USTs) on What Is This Thing Called Love. The improvisational concept of USTs is the first of five chapters in The Complete Guide To Improvisation, Volume Two. Both Volume One & Two are available through Amazon and www.edsaindon.com.

In this clip, the first chorus is a written out solo. To view and download the first chorus as well a chart that lists the USTs applied in the solo and corresponding analysis, click on the link below: 

UST Chart/Solo/Analysis

Tension Resolution Technique on "Autumn Leaves"

Had a little time today before a class at Berklee. Practicing some improvisation with the concept of Tension Resolution on Autumn Leaves. With this concept I'm focusing on using one tension and chord tones for each chord change and making to sure to resolve the tension to the nearest chord tone. It is a simple but effective improv technique that sounds the changes with a melodic flow. I'm playing 8 measures out front to establish the context of the song. Please see attached PDF for more information.

The Tension Resolution concept is extensively addressed in a specific chapter in my improv book The Complete Guide To Improvisation. The book is available on Amazon and my website. More information is available on my website and FB page The Complete Guide To Improvisation.

Here is the Tension Chart, Transcription & Explanatory Notes: 

Autumn Leaves (Tension Chart & Transcription)