Targeting The b9 With Inner Voices
In this lesson we learn how to target the b9 chord alteration over the V7 with a descending inner voice.
We start by applying this technique to 3 jazz standards so that you can see how it is applied in practice. We then explore the movement over a 251 in the key of C Major, and finally we take this drill around the whole step 251 sequence.
Visualising The b9 Alteration
The main benefits of mastering this exercise is that you will be able to visualise the b9 chord alteration in all 12 keys. When playing jazz standards and filling space in tunes, the b9 is a lovely tone to target to add colour and tension.
The Next Steps
In the next lessons we will repeat the same process with the other chord alterations which are the #9, #11, and #5/b13.
Once we can clearly visualise these alterations in all 12 keys and approach them chromatically or via inner voice movement, we have unlocked one of the many secrets to professional and sophisticated sounding jazz piano performance.
Lesson Downloads
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Targeting The b9 – Whole Step 251s File Type: pdf
Practice Tips
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The preliminary exercise for this lesson is the 13b9 whole step drill where we drop the 2 middle voices in an extended 251 to access the 13b9 colour over the dominant V7 chord.
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The main variation in this lesson is that we add the descending inner voice which targets the b9. We must visualise this inner voice starting on the b7 of the ii-7 chord, and ending on the b9 of the V7 chord.
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Once you have mastered the basic inner voice experiment with repeating the b9 an octave higher to draw more attention and emphasis to the sound of the alteration.