ChopsFactory-Jazz Guitar Chords

Jazz Chord of the Week
Major Chords
Minor Chords
Dominant Chords
Minor7b5 Chords

Major Scales
Minor Scales
Dominant Scales
Minor 7b5 Scales

Start Here
Left Hand
Right Hand

Basics
Chord Concepts

Basics
Construction

Sight Reading
Reading Rhythm

Left Hand
Right Hand

Introduction
Voice Leading
Multi-Use Voicings
Passing Chords
Rhythm

Introduction
Basic Exercises
Cross-String Studies
2 and 3 Bar Phrases
Phrasing
Chords
Etude
JGT Theory explained

Introduction
Minor 7 Arpeggios
Major Triad +2
Minor Tetrachord
Etude

Lesson of the Month
Lesson Archive

Question and Answer

MP3s

Lesson Twentysix • Non-Functional Progressions

PREVIEW

At some point in time, you've probably come across a tune with changes that donÕt make sense to you, don't seem to be in any particular key, or create any kind of recognizable pattern. These progressions are called "non-functional" since the chords within them don't act (function) as the ii chord or the V chord, etc. The question then is how to make sense out of a progression that doesn't "make sense." Take a look at the following chord progression:

E-7 | Db Maj7 | F Maj 7 | C-7

The first two chords, for example, are not in the same key, not the same quality and don't have any obvious relationship. To improvise over these chords effectively, you have to find some way to relate them. To find the relationship, look at the structures contained within each chord. For E-7, use a Dorian scale. Within this scale are Minor 7 arpeggios built on E, F#, and B.

Now use a Lydian scale for DbÆ7 (every note available as a point of emphasis). Within this scale Minor 7 arpeggios are built on F, Bb, and C:

Looking at the two groups of arpeggios, we now see that there are many places where the arpeggios are a half step away from each other, which can be used to create motifs that connect the underlying chords in a musical way, as in the following:

Until next time,
AG

Ask a question about this lesson

Lesson Archive