adding the third note

as i am getting back into playing songs, i am relearning the art of playing improvised solo pieces. as before, it is surprising to notice how much is created by simply playing a song's bassline and melody. even without changing notes, you can improvise through timing, dynamics and changing rhythm (try playing all the 4/4 songs you know as 3/4.......). to hear the way in which the two lines together capture the essence of a piece, learn this transcription of the jazz standard FOOTPRINTS.

in order to move beyond the interplay of two lines, it's not necessary to start thinking in terms of playing chords. just add a third note to the melody and bass. you can add these now and then; there is no need to fill everything up. also, a note can remain static even if bass or melody move.

in your choice of these notes you can really start to develop your signature sound. for some, adding a third or sixth below the melody sounds best, while for others, seconds and sevenths do the trick (think john scofield). fourths and fifths add another flavour to the song.  that's why i did not add anything to the bassline and melody of footprints - this is the area where you make your own choices.


of course, mixing intervals is where true playing (in the sense of forgetting the rules and enjoying the game) starts, and where you actually start playing a third line. but during practicing, its good to stay some time with only one or two intervals in order to get to know their sound as well as the associated fingerings.