Harmonic Minor Improvisation
In this lesson we introduce the colours and flavours of the harmonic minor scale into our right hand improvisations. Whilst the main use of the harmonic minor scale is to create more interesting harmonic possibilities in minor keys, the scale can also be used for improvisation and is particularly useful to create melodies over minor 251 progressions.
Visualise The b6
We start by playing the scale up and down to visualise the notes and their intervalic relationship. We then add the b6 to our 5-note scale and play this over the descending minor line cliché.
The b6 is an alternate colour to the major 7th from the melodic minor scale that we explored in the previous lesson. Remember that the b6 colour is the distinctive note of the harmonic minor scale.
Well Suited To Minor 251s
The harmonic minor scale can be used to create beautiful melodies over minor 251 progressions. At the end of the first line we have the 251 into D minor. We demonstrate the following concepts to bring out the harmonic minor colour over this progression:
- Chromatic lines and neighbour tones
- Targeting alterations of V7 chord
- Scale run starting on the characteristic notes
- Arpeggio lines of E-7b5
- Bb major arpeggio shape over E-7b5
These ideas can also be used over the minor line cliché so spend some time to explore these techniques and sounds over both the minor line cliché and the minor 251 progression.
In the next lesson we will introduce the blues scale to further develop our improv options over the 251 progressions which are the 251 in D minor moving into bar 5, and the 251 in F major in bars 7 and 8.
Related Lessons
In this lesson we create interesting colours and tensions in our improvisations by targeting isolating the individual...
In this lesson we will be exploring the major 251s with b9 and #5/b13 alterations. This will help you visualise alter...
In this lesson Hayden explored the altered tensions over dominant chords and how to resolve these tensions into the I...
Practice Tips
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The b6 is the characteristic note of the harmonic minor scale.
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The harmonic minor scale can be used to create beautiful melodies over minor 251s.
- Experiment with chromaticism, neighbour tones, and the licks and arpeggio patterns demonstrated in this lesson.
Enjoyed original set of lessons regarding In A Sentimental Mood. Your present discussions of improvisation with these minor scales in this piece is most informative and very enjoyable. I look forward to future lessons of a similar nature. Where are the next lessons using the blues scale and improve mentioned at the end of this lesson? Thanks,
Hi Edwin,
The final improv lessons in this course will be recorded this week and published next week.
So far we have focused specifically on the minor line cliche phrases, and next lessons we will explore improvisation over the A section as a whole.
More updates to follow shortly.
Cheers,
Hayden
Look forward to the followiing lessons, these have been very useful. Hayden, you said in one of the your live seminars that you did not get to do everything you wanted to do in this course but I assure you, you have raught us a great deal.
The sharp5 and flat9 on the dominant chord of the minor 2-5-1 progression add a beautiful sound.
Will you be having a similar course on The Nearness of You?
Hi Humberto,
I’m glad you enjoyed the lessons in this course. I will circle back around to finishing the improv module asap.
Yes my seminar this month will be focusing on the tune “The Nearness Of You” and I have started planning a harmony and improv course for this which will follow a similar format to the Misty Cocktail Improv course.
More updates to follow!
Cheers,
Hayden
Hi
I can’t find the final improv lesson using the blues scale as mentioned at the end of the last lesson in this course.
Ulf
Hi Ulf,
Thanks for your message.
I never got around to finishing this course – but I have added it to my upcoming lesson schedule and I will add the remaining lessons asap.
We have a couple of other jazz standard improvisation courses which you can study in the interim, you can find those here:
“Misty” – Cocktail Piano Improvisation:
pianogroove.com/jazz-piano-lessons/cocktail-improvisation-for-beginners/
“Nearness Of You” – Ballad Voicings Fills & Improv
pianogroove.com/jazz-piano-lessons/ballad-voicings-fills-improv/
Please give me a week or so I will record the next lessons (blues scale improv) in this course.
Talk soon,
Hayden
Hi Hayden,
Is it possible to receive scores of the patterns shown in these lessons on harmonic minor and melodic minor?
You show them to us on the screen during the course, but I can’t find them as attachments and that’s a shame.
What about the blues improvisation course that was supposed to follow?
Sorry to ask you all these questions.
Kind regards
Véronique
Hi Hayden,
I hope you’re well.
It’s a real shame that I can’t find the last lesson, improvisation with the blues scale, from this module that you talk about a lot in the lesson on harmonic minor.
What’s going on? Or can you tell me where I can find something similar?
All the best.
I’m still learning a lot from your improvisation lessons, thank you.
Best regards
Véronique
Hi Véronique,
I have added the blues scale improvisation lesson to the course.
Here’s a direct link: pianogroove.com/jazz-piano-lessons/blues-scale-improvisation/
This consolidates the scale option choices that we can use for improvisation.
Remember to listen to lots of recordings of this tune, here is a playlist I created which contains 20 recordings:
open.spotify.com/playlist/2htZ7H7QlDD1ncV6aFY5g6?si=84f928a4cf0b4f40
After studying these lessons you should be able to ‘detect’ the different scale colors (melodic minor, harmonic minor, blues scale) when listening to the improvisations in this list of recordings.
Each scale has a distinctive sound and it’s important to be able to pick up on these sounds aurally when listening to music. It will help you to ‘hear’ these sounds when you are trying to improvise with this material.
Enjoy the lesson!
Best,
Hayden
Hi Hayden,
Thank you so much for adding the improvisation with the blues scale. It’s great, it’s going to be really comprehensive.
I didn’t receive an email informing me of this. I’m only seeing it now.
All the best to you, and thank you again for all this rich material. I’m learning a lot. Your English is very pleasant to listen to and I understand everything, which is great.
Kind regards,
Véronique
Hi Véronique,
My pleasure – I’m glad you are enjoying the tutorials. Thanks so much for letting me know.
I sent you an email regarding the comment system.
There is a little checkbox when posting a comment or question which says “Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.” – be sure to check that box and you should then receive an email notification when I reply to your comment/question.
Best,
Hayden