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Play Along Tracks: Lesson 1 – ii/V : Jazz Studies With Bill Harrison
Meet Bill Harrison –
As promised last issue, let’s start using backing tracks to work with the most common chord progression in jazz, the ii/V. Please download the pdf and mp3 files at the end of this page to get the most benefit out of this lesson.
If you are not familiar with thinking about harmony using roman numerals, here’s a quick and dirty explanation:
The play along track we’ll be using is in the key of C, and the chord progression is D-7 / G7, where D-7 is built on the 2nd degree of the C major scale and G7 is constructed on the 5th degree of the scale. (Ex. 1) When we’re talking about notes we use regular Arabic numbers, but for chords we use Roman numerals. Lowercase means a minor type chord and uppercase indicates a major quality chord. (Ex. 2)
Let’s listen to the track from three points of view: rhythm, harmony and melody.
First, put your attention on the drums, or, more accurately, the cymbals. The drummer on this track is playing beats two and four with his left foot on the hi-hat and mostly quarter notes with his right hand on the ride cymbal, which is exactly what we do when walking a bass line. (Ex. 3) As you work on the content of your lines, be sure to stay hooked up with the ride cymbal – think of it as the “ting” for your “thump”.
Harmonically this progression is simple. The root note moves from D to G, and inside the chord only one other note changes. The D-7 chord consists of D F A C. The G7 is G B D F. If we eliminate the roots (already accounted for) and fifths (an interval that is present for both chord types), we are left with the two notes that define the quality of the chord (i.e., whether it is major, minor or dominant). The defining notes for D-7 are the third (F) and the seventh (C). On the G7, the third is B and the seventh is F. So, the important tones inside the chord move from F and C to F and B. The only note that changes (besides the roots) is the C moving down by half step to the B. (Ex. 4) Listen to the pianist’s voicings with this in mind. You can experiment with this by playing the C on the D-7 chord and the B on the G7. This will be easier to hear in the medium or high range of your bass.
Finally, we’ll work on our bass “melody” – a walking line that clearly indicates the root and chord type and that (hopefully) adds some secondary melodic interest. To make things easier for now, always play the root of the chord change on beat 1. Until you can really hear your way through this progression, I suggest that you only use chord tones on the other three beats of the measure. (Ex. 5) The most important decision your ear has to make is how you are going to go from beat 4 of one chord to beat 1 (the root) of the next chord. We’ll tackle this technique more in depth next time, but for now see what you can come up with using just the four chord tones in whatever orders you hear. Happy walking!
Play_Along_Tracks_Lesson_1_-_ii-V-Aug09
Download iiVPnoDr01C-aug09_.mp3
Gear News
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
Spector offers Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses…
Spector, a leading authority in bass guitar design, unveils two new Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses. Synonymous with bass excellence since 1987, Wimbish collaborated with Spector’s USA Custom Shop to create the DW-4 and DW-5 models, echoing the iconic instruments that have been favored heavily throughout his recording and performing career.
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Photo: Doug Wimbish, pictured with the new Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses
Bass CDs
New Campaign: Alberto Rigoni, Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings
Italian bass master and composer ALBERTO RIGONI is thrilled to announce his brand new project “Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings”.
Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings features a super talented drummer from Japan (TBA) and tons of female guitarists such as SAKI, Giusy Busetto, Alexandra Zerner (TBC) and many many others (TBA). Furthermore, Alberto has also launched a Fundraising Campaign for the project. 20% of the income will be donated to Lega del Filo d’Oro legadelfilodoro.it/it, an Italian association that helps deaf and blind children!
Alberto shares:
“Hello friends and music lovers! I’m Alberto Rigoni, an Italian composer and.. a BASS GUY! Between 2008 and 2024 I released 13 solo albums, spanning from progressive, rock, ambient to funky and experimental music, which also features contributions from musicians such as keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) drummer Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) and Marco Minnemann (the Aristocrats), keyboardist Kevin Moore (ex Dream Theater), singer John Jeff Soto (ex Goran Edman (ex Y. Malmsteen), bassists Nathan East, Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani), Nik West (ex Prince) and many others. I’m also bass player for BAD As, Sunset Groove Society, Kim Bingham, The Italians bands and co-producer of Mistheria’s Vivaldi Metal Project.”
Alberto on the new project Nemesis Call:
“Even if my latest album “Unexpected Lullabies”, dedicated to my newborn Vittoria Parini Rigoni, will be released on June 4th, 2024, when Vittoria came to life I felt the need to compose new music (yes, I really can’t stop!!!!!). This time will be quite challenging because I’m willing to release an instrumental ambient/prog/rock/metal album, that will feature a talented and young drummer (TBA) and tons of female guitarists (that’s why I will call the album “Queens of the Strings”) such as Alexandra Zerner, YOKA and many others (TBA/TBC)). It won’t be easy to manage all such great musicians but I will make it!! Are you ready to face a new prog experience? The album will be released in Digipack CD and in high-quality digital format approximately at the beginning of 2025.”
The Fundraising Campaign:
As an independent artist, Alberto is looking for supporters who can help him reach the budget for the production (recordings, mix, mastering, artwork etc.) of this new album and has started this fundraising campaign that will end successfully on October 15th, 2024.
Get further information about Alberto Rigoni’s new project Nemesis Call Fundraising campaign at albertorigoni.net/nemesiscal
Bass Videos
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
Bassist Derek Frank…
Many of you will remember the last time I chatted with Derek Frank was back in 2017. The main thing that impressed me was how busy Derek was and how he juggled playing with many huge acts.
Now, I am happy to hear that Derek launched a new album last March titled “Origin Story” where he digs deep into his roots and pays homage to Pittsburg.
Join me as we get caught up after all these years and hear the details about the new album, how Derek gets his sound, and his plans for the future.
Photo, Stephen Bradley
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Gear News
New Gear: Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Internationally renowned bassist ALBERTO RIGONI (soloist, BAD AS, Vivaldi Metal Project, TwinSpirits, etc.) is proud to announce the release of his signature bass VPR5 made by renowned Italian luthier Gaetano Costanzo!
The bass is entirely handmade in Italy, without the use of CNC or other machinery, and has rather special features. The VPR is a 5-string bass (but also available as a 4-string) with 30 frets, Seymour Duncan pickups, Music Man Alnico style, passive electronics (volume, tone and a switch to select series/parallel/single-coil mode), alder body, and American maple neck and fingerboard. Gotoh tuners that ensure perfect intonation. The bass is totally painted white (nitro finish) but other colors can be requested. The VPR has a weight of about 2.9 kg and suitable for any genre.
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String Instrument Humidifiers
Interview With Bassist Graham Stanush
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This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
String Instrument Humidifiers
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
