Four note group
Encyclopedia
Four note group patterns are one of many ways used to formulate improvised solos
in jazz
. "Four-Note Grouping [sic] is an improvisation technique that uses major
and minor triads along with specific passing notes
as a means of generating lines. The concept of Four-Note Groupings allows the lines to be more 'out'
and stretch the possibility of available notes over a chord
due to the structural
integrity of the triad-based line
."
Jazz standard
s are typically two quarter beats
per change (or four eighth notes). In order to play fluidly in double time
it is necessary to develop practice strategies to fill out eighth note patterns. Patterns that are employed heavily in bebop
and modal
playing involve playing scale
fragments in the key
of the chord change, arpeggiating
the current chord change, or playing a bebop pattern or "lick". When scales are played they typically line up odd (strong) beats with chord tones and even beats with non-chord tones. These patterns are very obvious in the early solo career of John Coltrane
and in reharmonized tunes from the bebop era. The Miles Davis
tune "Donna Lee
" is composed almost entirely of four note groups over its chord changes.
Four note group patterns can also be doubled into 8 note patterns over the same time duration. Playing at quadruple time over the tempo requires many hours of solo practice and tune analysis. The solos of Charlie Parker contain many examples of four and eight note group patterns.
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
in jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
. "Four-Note Grouping [sic] is an improvisation technique that uses major
Major chord
In music theory, a major chord is a chord having a root, a major third, and a perfect fifth. When a chord has these three notes alone, it is called a major triad...
and minor triads along with specific passing notes
Nonchord tone
A nonchord tone, nonharmonic tone, or non-harmony note is a note in a piece of music which is not a part of the implied harmony that is described by the other notes sounding at the time...
as a means of generating lines. The concept of Four-Note Groupings allows the lines to be more 'out'
Outside (jazz)
In jazz improvisation, to play outside, or out, is to intentionally stray from the key or chord changes of the song form. The term refers to a soloist taking some of the harmonic liberties of free jazz within a hard bop or modal context...
and stretch the possibility of available notes over a chord
Chord (music)
A chord in music is any harmonic set of two–three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously. These need not actually be played together: arpeggios and broken chords may for many practical and theoretical purposes be understood as chords...
due to the structural
Musical form
The term musical form refers to the overall structure or plan of a piece of music, and it describes the layout of a composition as divided into sections...
integrity of the triad-based line
Melody
A melody , also tune, voice, or line, is a linear succession of musical tones which is perceived as a single entity...
."
Jazz standard
Jazz standard
Jazz standards are musical compositions which are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive list of jazz standards, and the list of songs deemed to be...
s are typically two quarter beats
Quarter note
A quarter note or crotchet is a note played for one quarter of the duration of a whole note . Often people will say that a crotchet is one beat, however, this is not always correct, as the beat is indicated by the time signature of the music; a quarter note may or may not be the beat...
per change (or four eighth notes). In order to play fluidly in double time
Double-time
In music and dance, double-time is a type of meter and tempo or rhythmic feel. It is also associated with specific time signatures such as 2/2. Contrast with half time....
it is necessary to develop practice strategies to fill out eighth note patterns. Patterns that are employed heavily in bebop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
and modal
Modal
Modal may refer to:* Modal , a textile made from spun Beechwood cellulose fiber* Modal analysis, the study of the dynamic properties of structures under vibrational excitation...
playing involve playing scale
Musical scale
In music, a scale is a sequence of musical notes in ascending and descending order. Most commonly, especially in the context of the common practice period, the notes of a scale will belong to a single key, thus providing material for or being used to conveniently represent part or all of a musical...
fragments in the key
Key (music)
In music theory, the term key is used in many different and sometimes contradictory ways. A common use is to speak of music as being "in" a specific key, such as in the key of C major or in the key of F-sharp. Sometimes the terms "major" or "minor" are appended, as in the key of A minor or in the...
of the chord change, arpeggiating
Arpeggio
An arpeggio is a musical technique where notes in a chord are played or sung in sequence, one after the other, rather than ringing out simultaneously...
the current chord change, or playing a bebop pattern or "lick". When scales are played they typically line up odd (strong) beats with chord tones and even beats with non-chord tones. These patterns are very obvious in the early solo career of John Coltrane
John Coltrane
John William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
and in reharmonized tunes from the bebop era. The Miles Davis
Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
tune "Donna Lee
Donna Lee
"Donna Lee" is a bebop jazz standard composed by Miles Davis. It was written in A flat and is based on the chord changes of the traditional jazz standard " Indiana". One unusual feature of the tune is that it begins with a half-bar rest...
" is composed almost entirely of four note groups over its chord changes.
Four note group patterns can also be doubled into 8 note patterns over the same time duration. Playing at quadruple time over the tempo requires many hours of solo practice and tune analysis. The solos of Charlie Parker contain many examples of four and eight note group patterns.
Four note group devices
- Scale fragment
- Arpeggio fragment of current chord, can be altered harmony
- Bebop pattern or lick
- Chord tone/non-chord tone pattern
Examples
- John Coltrane: "Blue TrainBlue TrainBlue Train may refer to:In rail:* Blue Train , a South African luxury train* Blue Train , the generic name for sleeping car trains in Japan...
" - John Coltrane: "Giant StepsGiant Steps-Personnel:* John Coltrane — tenor saxophone* Tommy Flanagan — piano* Wynton Kelly — piano on "Naima"* Paul Chambers — bass* Art Taylor — drums* Jimmy Cobb — drums on "Naima"* Cedar Walton — piano on "Giant Steps' and Naima" alternate versions...
" solo - Charlie Parker/Miles Davis "Donna LeeDonna Lee"Donna Lee" is a bebop jazz standard composed by Miles Davis. It was written in A flat and is based on the chord changes of the traditional jazz standard " Indiana". One unusual feature of the tune is that it begins with a half-bar rest...
" head
External links
- "Four Note Groupings Part 2", EdSaindon.com (351 KB PDFPortable Document FormatPortable Document Format is an open standard for document exchange. This file format, created by Adobe Systems in 1993, is used for representing documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems....
) - Ed Saindon - "John Coltrane - Harmonic Substitutions", LucasPickford.com: "Extending the Coltrane Changes" by David Baker
- Javier Arau. "Augmented Scale Theory", Javier Arau.
- Michael Leibson. "Giant Steps, Central Park West and Modulatory Cycles", ThinkingMusic.ca.