BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
6432 / 18210 · Workshop 46 — “Spain”: Phrygian Color, Fast Latin-Jazz Motion, Sudden Key Centers, and Keeping the Groove Alive While the Harmony Moves← prev⊞ allnext →

46.94Mini-composition exercise

Write a 32-bar piece with two contrasting worlds.

Intro — 8 bars
  • one minor pedal
  • one Phrygian ♭2 upper structure
  • sparse/rubato texture
  • one functional dominant only at the end
Groove — 16 bars
  • straight-eighth Latin-jazz-derived feel
  • at least three ii–V–I destination packets
  • one motif transposed across the destinations
  • one anticipated chord change
  • one one-bar harmonic pedal/break
Ending — 8 bars

Choose either:

  • return to the dark Phrygian world, or
  • resolve to a bright major 6/9 environment.

The piece should sound structurally clear even with no melody.