How to Survive Fast Moving Chord Changes
What was the question?
Richard Tarasovsky asked a classic question for aspiring jazz players: How do you deal with very fast-moving changes? This applies to both fast tempos and tunes with two chords per bar.
[18:25]
The core idea (in plain English)
Whether it is a ballad with many chords or a fast Bebop tune like Confirmation, the solution is the same: Target the 3rd. Bebop melodies are constructed on the logic of hitting the 3rd of the chord on the strong beat. If you target the 3rd, you create the sound of the chord change clearly, even without backing.
[20:17]
Fretboard breakdown (what to play)
Analyze the Melody: Look at Confirmation. The melody constantly resolves to the 3rd of the underlying harmony. [20:17]
Voice Leading: Visualize the connection between the current chord's target note and the next. For example, E minor 7b5 connecting to A7. [22:17]
Simplify: When the tempo is fast, you cannot play every scale note. Play fewer notes, but make sure they are the right notes (Target Notes). [26:01]
Common mistake to avoid
Do not try to play "fast" just because the tempo is fast. If you play too many notes without clear targets, you will sound lost. The less you play, the more crucial your note choice becomes. [26:01]
A 10-minute practice assignment
Take the first four measures of Confirmation or a standard blues. Play strictly quarter notes (slow tempo), but ensure that on beat 1 of every chord change, you are landing exactly on the 3rd of that chord. [26:01]
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