Scott Jones: There are no wrong notes. new article posted



There are no wrong notes. Only dissonant resolutions lacking conviction.

First, a bit of clarity on the subject of playing outside.
It’s not a simply throwing chaotic note choices into the mix of “inside” notes.

Playing “outside” refers to an improvisational (and compositional) concept most often used by jazz and jazz fusion musicians. (For the purpose of this article, we will stick with it’s use in improv).

The idea of playing outside simply put, involves moving away from the current melodic or harmonic environment into a series of notes that creates tension, momentarily, by using notes that are in dissonance with that current environment.

The key word in the last sentence is “momentarily”. Why? It’s use is most effectively employed when the improviser creates the tension, but then RESOLVES the tension by returning to the original, or expected harmonic or melodic context. Well, kind of.

You CAN utilize the concept of “resolving” to outside notes as well, which is the idea to which my opening statement refers. This requires that the “resolution” on an outside note be played with utter authority and total conviction, lest you sound lost or uncertain. Landing on intentional, tense resolutions CAN be really effective when used properly.

First……and most importantly, though: Full Article https://sjonesmusic.wordpress.com/2015/03/30/on-outside-playing-in-improvisation/

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