A turnaround is a short chord progression that takes you back to the start of a song, a solo section or even takes you to a new key. Sometimes they are used as an introduction or an ending to a song. The chords of a turnaround range from simple to complicated, but all turnarounds are… Continue reading How To Create A Blues Turnaround
Tag: music theory
Study in Tenths
Tenths-a third plus an octave-can add an extra dimension to a composition by imparting depth and emotion to a melody or bass line. Tenths can even bring life and energy to a simple scale. Try playing this E major scale harmonized with parallel tenths. The upper notes add a bit of color without obscuring the… Continue reading Study in Tenths
Jazz Waltz for Guitar
This jazzy tune in 3/4 features a simple melody supported by some rich extended and altered chords. The pedal E in the lower voice in the beginning provides a measure-level pulse, but also creates some extra dissonance that obscures the harmony. Can you name the chord in the first measure? Maybe it's an Ebmb5#7/E (yikes!)… Continue reading Jazz Waltz for Guitar
Fanfare No. 2
Fanfare No. 2 below is a variation of the piece, Fanfare, introduced in the previous post. The main difference is that this composition uses minor triads instead of major ones. This leads to a subtle change in the melody in certain places, but overall, it sounds very similar to the original. Recomposing this piece was… Continue reading Fanfare No. 2
Neo-Riemannian Transformations/Fanfare
Neo-Riemannian theory in music in short describes pitch relationships between major and minor triads. It examines the effect of efficient voice leading, or in other words, what happens when one pitch of a triad changes by a tone or semi-tone. These single pitch changes are categorized into three basic triadic transformations: P=parallel, R=relative and L=leading-tone… Continue reading Neo-Riemannian Transformations/Fanfare
Ken Pasciak 