Harmonia e Improvisação - II V I Menor.

Summary

In this video, the presenter explores the complexities of the 2-5-1 minor progression, discussing its nuances and how it can be approached in improvisation. Starting with an overview of the major 2-5-1 progression, the video transitions into the minor 2-5-1, explaining the use of scales like natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor. The presenter also delves into advanced harmonic techniques, including tritone substitutions and dominant function chords, to create more sophisticated musical phrases. Key points include the importance of mixing scales and understanding chord relationships for a richer improvisation experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Understanding the 251 minor progression is crucial for effective jazz improvisation. The speaker explains how to approach it by first mastering the 251 major progression.
• 😀 The 251 cadence is a sophisticated harmonic movement, and its minor counterpart (251 minor) requires special attention to detail, particularly in voice leading and scale choices.
• 😀 The natural minor scale and pentatonic scale can be used as foundational tools for improvising over 251 minor progressions, providing a solid yet simple base.
• 😀 Advanced scales such as the harmonic minor and melodic minor scales are introduced to enhance the complexity of improvisation, with particular emphasis on their application over dominant chords.
• 😀 Voice leading plays a significant role in smooth transitions between chords. The speaker demonstrates this with chromatic movement in the bass line and tritone substitutions.
• 😀 Tritone substitution is a key technique in jazz, as it introduces tension and resolution by altering the dominant chord (e.g., replacing G7 with D♭7).
• 😀 The harmonic minor scale is essential for resolving the lack of a dominant chord in the minor key. It creates a tension necessary for a perfect cadence.
• 😀 The melodic minor scale provides a more sophisticated approach to minor key improvisation, especially in jazz and Bossa Nova, offering new harmonic possibilities.
• 😀 The concept of 'mixing' scales (natural minor with harmonic minor or melodic minor) allows for more fluid improvisation and a richer harmonic vocabulary.
• 😀 Practical applications include improvising with the natural minor scale, pentatonic scale, harmonic minor, and melodic minor over 251 minor progressions, with a focus on how to integrate these scales into a coherent improvisational phrase.

Q & A

What is the focus of the video discussed in the transcript?

The video focuses on the concept of the 251 minor cadence, explaining how it works and how to improvise using different scales like the natural minor, pentatonic, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales.

Why does the speaker first explain the 251 major cadence before moving to the minor cadence?

The speaker introduces the 251 major cadence first because understanding this structure helps make the transition to the 251 minor cadence easier. The major cadence serves as a foundation for better comprehending the minor cadence.

What is the 251 progression, and how is it used in music?

The 251 progression is a common chord sequence consisting of the second (ii), fifth (V), and first (I) chords. It is often used in jazz and other genres to create harmonic tension and resolution.

How does the speaker demonstrate the transition from major to minor cadences?

The speaker demonstrates the transition by showing how a 251 major progression can be transformed into a 251 minor by modifying the dominant chord to include a tritone substitution and using the relative minor scale.

What role does the harmonic minor scale play in this video?

The harmonic minor scale is used to introduce a dominant chord in a minor key, which is otherwise absent in the natural minor scale. The altered seventh degree in the scale creates the necessary tension for a dominant resolution.

What is the significance of the tritone substitution in jazz harmony?

The tritone substitution is important because it allows for smoother voice leading and greater harmonic sophistication. By replacing a dominant chord with another dominant chord a tritone away, it creates a more fluid and chromatic movement in the progression.

Why is the natural minor scale not enough for a perfect cadence in minor keys?

The natural minor scale does not include a dominant chord with the necessary tension to resolve the cadence. Therefore, the speaker advocates using the harmonic minor scale, which includes the raised seventh degree, creating a dominant chord that can resolve to the tonic.

What does the speaker mean by 'mixing' different scales during improvisation?

By 'mixing' different scales, the speaker refers to combining elements of the natural minor, harmonic minor, pentatonic, and even melodic minor scales during improvisation. This approach creates a richer, more nuanced sound while maintaining the harmonic context.

What is the role of the melodic minor scale in jazz improvisation, according to the speaker?

The melodic minor scale is used in jazz to add sophistication to the sound, particularly in the context of minor chords. The speaker also mentions its use to incorporate the major seventh degree, further enriching the harmonic expression.

What is the importance of the 'flat sixth' degree in minor chords?

The flat sixth degree in minor chords is important because it adds a distinctive flavor to the minor tonality. The speaker notes that in certain contexts, like Bossa Nova, the natural sixth (rather than the flat sixth) may be used to create a more 'Dorian' or brighter minor sound.