Articles tagged with: "jazz theory"

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Mastering the Locrian Mode: The Complete Guide to Music's Darkest Scale

Published on 25 Jul, 2025

The Locrian mode is the seventh and final mode of the major scale, known for its unstable, dissonant quality. This article explores its construction, musical applications, and practical exercises to...

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Perfect Unison: The Fundamental Building Block of Music

Perfect Unison: The Fundamental Building Block of Music

Published on 25 Jul, 2025

The perfect unison is the most fundamental interval in music theory. It occurs when two notes of the same pitch are played simultaneously. This interval serves as the building block …

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Unlocking the Lydian Dominant (Lydian b7): A Comprehensive Guide

Unlocking the Lydian Dominant (Lydian b7): A Comprehensive Guide

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

Dive deep into the Lydian Dominant scale (Lydian b7), the sound behind *The Simpsons* theme and countless jazz solos. This guide breaks down its theory, shows you how to build …

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The Neapolitan Major Scale: A Comprehensive Guide for Musicians

The Neapolitan Major Scale: A Comprehensive Guide for Musicians

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

The Neapolitan Major scale is a fascinating and somewhat exotic scale that offers a unique sound palette for composers and improvisers. This scale, also known as the Lydian Dominant scale, …

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The Blues Scale: The Sound of American Soul

The Blues Scale: The Sound of American Soul

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

The blues scale is a fundamental musical tool that captures the expressive, soulful heart of the blues and has profoundly influenced countless genres, from jazz and soul to rock and …

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Mastering the Locrian Mode: The Darkest Scale in Music Theory

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

The Locrian mode is the seventh and final mode of the major scale, known for its dark, unstable, and dissonant sound. Often considered the "darkest" of the seven modes, it …

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Bebop Major Scale: Elegant Chromaticism in Jazz

Bebop Major Scale: Elegant Chromaticism in Jazz

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

The bebop major scale is an eight-note scale that adds a chromatic passing tone between the fifth and sixth degrees of the major scale. This sophisticated scale is a cornerstone …

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The Altered Scale: Your Ultimate Guide to Jazz Dominant Tension

The Altered Scale: Your Ultimate Guide to Jazz Dominant Tension

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

Imagine a dominant chord that's not just pushing to resolve, but is practically screaming to. That's the sound of the altered scale. It's a collection of notes specifically chosen to …

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The Lydian Mode: Bright Colors in Modern Harmony

The Lydian Mode: Bright Colors in Modern Harmony

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

The Lydian mode, characterized by its distinctive raised fourth degree, creates a bright, optimistic, and often magical sound that has captivated composers and improvisers. This comprehensive guide...

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American Note Names (A-G): The Foundation of Music Theory

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

Music is a universal language, and like any language, it starts with the basics. In Western music, the foundation is built on the American note names (A-G). These seven letters …

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Mastering the Mixolydian Mode: From Theory to Practice

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

The Mixolydian mode is one of the seven musical modes derived from the major scale. It is often described as a major scale with a flattened seventh (♭7), giving it …

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The Bebop Dominant Scale: Unlocking the Language of Jazz

The Bebop Dominant Scale: Unlocking the Language of Jazz

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

The Bebop Dominant scale is an eight-note scale that adds a single chromatic passing tone to the standard Mixolydian mode. This addition is the key to creating the smooth, rhythmically …

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Minor Ninth Interval: Expanding Beyond the Octave

Minor Ninth Interval: Expanding Beyond the Octave

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

The minor ninth interval is a compound interval spanning thirteen semitones, equivalent to an octave plus a minor second. This interval creates a distinctive sound that is both dissonant and...

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Major Ninth Interval: Bright Extensions in Modern Harmony

Major Ninth Interval: Bright Extensions in Modern Harmony

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

The major ninth interval is a compound interval spanning fourteen semitones, equivalent to an octave plus a major second. This bright, open-sounding interval is a cornerstone of modern harmony,...

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Minor Sixth Interval: The Melancholic Beauty

Minor Sixth Interval: The Melancholic Beauty

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

In the rich tapestry of musical intervals, the minor sixth holds a special place. It possesses a powerful emotional duality: a sound of profound sadness and longing, yet one that …

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12-Bar Blues Progression: The Foundation of American Popular Music

12-Bar Blues Progression: The Foundation of American Popular Music

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

The 12-bar blues is the most important and influential chord progression in the history of American popular music. This foundational harmonic cycle, built on the I, IV, and V chords, …

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Decoding Giant Steps: The Pinnacle of Modern Jazz Harmony

Decoding Giant Steps: The Pinnacle of Modern Jazz Harmony

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

This article delves into John Coltrane's seminal composition, "Giant Steps," a cornerstone of modern jazz. We will dissect its revolutionary chord progression, known as "Coltrane Changes," exploring...

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