Using the Major scale as a source for melody can be looked at in a variety of ways. As we re-frame our understanding of scale use in general it can open up new approaches for composing, improvising and interpreting melodies.
My initial goal here is to see three common ways to ascend “Major”.
- In 3rds as an arpeggio
- As a five note pentatonic scale
- As a complete 7 note Major scale.
Beyond that we are looking at connecting tones of the sale chromatically. This subtle use of chromatic passing tones will add the sound common to the bebop language while retaining the core sound of the Major scale.
