Embellishing the Melody
We have already discuss Embellishing the Melody in a previous lesson, where we learned that using the melody within your improvisation can sound very strong and professional and can resolve tension.
Displacing the Melody
Well, you can also build tension by using the melody in your solo. This is done by displacing the melody – that is, pushing it forward or pulling it back in the chord progression. That is, you can play the melody a little bit too late (creating anticipation when the melody that everyone was expecting did not happen and then suddenly tries to catch up); or a little bit too early (so it sounds like you’re rushing through the song, only to then stop and wait for the chords to catch up).
This creates tension because it is unexpected and unusual, and because you’re playing the melody over a different part of the chord progression so it will probably clash with the harmony a bit. But it still gives the listener a reference point with which they are familiar – the melody. This gives your improvisation a solid foundation and sounds great when done well.
Have a Listen to
- Any and Every Billie Holiday song