Category Archives: Root Systems (root position voicings)

Root systems, part 5 / Elijah’s Bounce

Posted on October 1, 2016 by tgcleary

To conclude this series of posts on root position voicings of the major ii-V-I progression, here’s a tune I composed called ‘Elijah’s Bounce‘.  I borrowed the chord progression from the Charlie Parker tune ‘My Little Suede Shoes.’  At the risk … Continue reading →

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Root systems, part 4: Give it up for the root (position pattern)s! – Melodic patterns based on root position voicings

Posted on August 25, 2016 by tgcleary

The name of this post is a variation on the phrase, ‘Give it up for The Roots!’, that Jimmy Fallon often uses to introduce his house band on his late night show. (I made an appearance on the show in … Continue reading →

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Root systems, part 3 / outlining the ii-V and ii-V-I progressions with 7-up scales

Posted on August 21, 2016 by tgcleary

Once you have become familiar with playing ii-V-I progressions in all keys in at least one voicing using your list of six tunes from the first post in this series, a possible next step is to practice the 7th scale … Continue reading →

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Root systems, part 2 / Take three at a time: an approach to learning major scales and ii-V-I progressions in all keys along with tunes from The Real Book (Volume I, sixth edition)

Posted on June 1, 2016 by tgcleary

This post is in response to questions often asked by my students.  ‘What tunes should I practice during my summer break from lessons?’, they ask. Or: ‘How can I get better at learning tunes from a fake book chart (i.e., … Continue reading →

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