Hey everyone, welcome to another session of Digging Deeper Jazz. Today, let's talk about modal jazz. Many find it confusing, and it's not the easiest to play. Take my song "Mr. No Bones"—at its heart, it's a modal jazz tune. My goal today is to clear up some myths and provide three key strategies to help you understand modal jazz better, regardless of your skill level.
What is Modal Jazz?
Modal jazz can sound intimidating, but it's more straightforward than you might think. A modal composition sticks to one tonality or one scale for a significant duration. Famous examples include "So What" by Miles Davis and "Impressions" by John Coltrane. Both use a form of modal jazz. Miles, in particular, rebelled against the complex chord changes common in the late '50s and early '60s, opting for a simpler, more focused approach.
Recognizing the Mode
Identifying the right scale or mode to use in modal jazz can be tricky. For "So What," we start with the Dorian scale. Specifically, D Dorian, which happens to correspond to all the white notes on the piano starting from D. To identify the mode in any piece of music, you can do two things:
- Ask an Expert: If someone more knowledgeable is around, ask them.
- Analyze the Song: Look at the chord and melody notes. For "So What," the D minor chord with no sharps or flats suggests the D Dorian scale.
Keeping it Structured
One challenge in modal jazz is avoiding the trap of meandering aimlessly through a single tonality. To stay organized, think in terms of four-measure phrases. This means playing for three measures and then pausing in the fourth. This pause creates structure, much like a period at the end of a sentence.
Here's a quick exercise: Improvise over a D Dorian scale with clear four-measure phrases. You'll notice it sounds much more controlled and musical.
Introducing Melody
Having a scale isn't enough; you need to create interesting melodies. A practical method is playing scales in thirds. This means playing the first note, then skipping the next and playing the third, and so on. This structure adds a melodic layer to your improvisation, making it more engaging.
Try improvising using only notes from the D Dorian scale, organized in thirds. It will give your solos a more defined shape and make them sound more musical.
Conclusion
Modal jazz doesn't have to be confusing. By understanding what mode you're in, keeping your phrases structured, and introducing melodic elements like scales in thirds, you can improve your modal playing significantly. Start with these three strategies and watch your improvisation skills grow.