Homework — Workshop 6
A. Opening roots
Play:
F-B♭-E♭-A♭-D♭-D-G-C
until automatic.
Sing the roots away from piano.
B. Opening shells
Play:
Fm7-B♭m7-E♭7-A♭maj7
using only roots + 3rds/7ths.
Minimize RH movement.
C. C-major arrival
Practice:
Dm7♭5-G7-Cmaj7
then compare:
Dm7-G7-Cmaj7.
Hear the difference in the predominant chord.
D. Destination drill
Play:
B♭m7-E♭7
stop and sing A♭.
Then:
Dm7♭5-G7
stop and sing C.
E. ii–V–I in four keys
Practice:
B♭m7-E♭7-A♭maj7
Dm7-G7-Cmaj7
Gm7-C7-Fmaj7
Cm7-F7-B♭maj7.
F. Guide-tone solo
Improvise through one section using mostly 3rds and 7ths.
Maximum four notes per bar.
G. One-note-per-chord
Play one intentional note for every chord through the opening.
No runs.
Make the tonal-center changes audible.
H. Motif across modulation
Choose a 3-note motif.
Use the same rhythm/contour in the A♭ destination and C destination.
I. One tritone substitution
Try either:
B♭m7 → A7 → A♭maj7
or:
Dm7♭5 → D♭7 → Cmaj7
if the melody permits.
Use only one.
J. Full arrangement
Record:
Version 1
melody + shells.
Version 2
slow ballad with extensions.
Version 3
medium swing with one motif-based solo chorus.
Version 4
personal arrangement with:
- one substitution
- one inner chromatic line
- deliberate intro
- clear ending.