BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
886 / 18210 · Module 18 — Scales and Modes for Improvisation: What to Use, When, and Why← prev⊞ allnext →

Homework for Module 18

Spend about 30–35 minutes.

A. Major scale with targets

Loop:

Dm7-G7-Cmaj7

Use C major throughout.

Deliberately target:

F → B → E

F → B → E

Then:

C → F → B

C → F → B


B. Dorian

Loop Dm7.

Compare:

D natural minor

with:

D Dorian.

Make B versus B♭ obvious.


C. Mixolydian

Loop G7.

Use:

G A B C D E F

G A B C D E F

Create phrases that emphasize F, A, and E.


D. Major pentatonic

Loop Cmaj7.

Use only:

C D E G A

C D E G A

Make 2-bar phrases with rests.

Do not play it straight up and down.


E. Minor pentatonic

Loop Am7.

Use:

A C D E G

A C D E G

Then add B as a color note and hear what changes.


F. Blues

Loop C7.

Use:

C E♭ F G♭ G B♭

C E♭ F G♭ G B♭

Practice:

E♭ → E

E♭ → E

and:

G♭ → G

G♭ → G

as expressive resolutions.


G. Lydian

Loop Cmaj7.

Compare:

F natural

with:

F♯.

Then improvise using C Lydian and deliberately feature F♯.


H. One-color-note exercise

Over:

Dm7, use chord tones + E only.

Over G7, chord tones + E only.

Over Cmaj7, chord tones + D only.

Notice:

E = 9 over Dm

E = 13 over G

D = 9 over C.


I. Avoid scale runs

For five minutes, forbid yourself from playing more than three consecutive scale-wise notes in one direction.

Use:

  • leaps
  • repetitions
  • rests
  • direction changes
  • motifs