Piano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
66.44 Level 21 — top-line guide-tone plan
8275 / 18210 · Workshop 66 — Melodic Development Through Guide Tones: Making 3rds and 7ths Sing, Connecting Chords Horizontally, and Building Lines That Explain the Harmony← prev⊞ allnext →

66.44Level 21 — top-line guide-tone plan

Before voicing a progression, decide a top line.

Example:

Cmaj7 → A7 → Dm7 → G7 → Cmaj7.

Top line:

B → C♯ → C → B → B.

planned top line for Cmaj7 · A7 · Dm7 · G7 · Cmaj7

Now voice chords underneath.

Suddenly the progression has a melodic spine.