Homework — Workshop 2
A. Memorize the harmonic skeleton
Without looking, play:
Cm7 → F7 → B♭maj7 → E♭maj7 → Am7♭5 → D7 → Gm
Say functions aloud.
B. Roots only
Play:
C-F-B♭-E♭-A-D-G
until the circle movement is automatic.
Then sing the roots without piano.
C. Shell voicings
Practice the full sequence using only LH root + RH 3/7.
No melody.
Make RH movement minimal.
D. Major ii–V–I
Loop:
Cm7-F7-B♭maj7
in at least three voicing positions.
Then transpose:
Dm7-G7-Cmaj7
Am7-D7-Gmaj7.
E. Minor ii–V–i
Loop:
Am7♭5-D7-Gm
then transpose to:
Bm7♭5-E7-Am
Dm7♭5-G7-Cm.
Make leading-tone resolution obvious.
F. Improvise chord tones
One chorus using chord tones only.
No scale runs.
Try to make actual phrases.
G. Guide-tone chorus
Improvise using mostly:
3rds and 7ths
plus passing notes.
This is difficult and extremely useful.
H. One motif
Choose a 3-note motif.
Develop it through the first 8 bars.
Keep its rhythm recognizable.
I. One tritone substitution
Replace only one dominant:
F7 → B7
or:
D7 → A♭7.
Do not use both initially.
Listen to whether it improves the phrase.
J. Complete arrangement
Record:
Version 1
melody + shells.
Version 2
ballad with extensions.
Version 3
medium swing with one improvised chorus.
Version 4
your edited version with one substitution and deliberate ending.