1. Unit 1: Basic Concepts Review
Jazz Composition
Unit 1: Basic Concepts Review

2. Unit 1 Contents: Scales Modes Tensions
Embellishments and Approach Notes
Anticipations and Delayed Attacks
Guide Tones

3. What do you need to know:
So you can get the most out of this jazz composition course we recommend previous knowledge of the following topics.
Pitch notation in treble and bass clef
Major and Minor Scales
Chord Formation, Spelling of Triads
Intervals
Basic harmony and chord functions (I, II m, III m, IV, V7, VI m, VIIm5b)
Rhythm structure
Modes

4. Basic Concepts Review: 1. Scales
Identify the characteristics of each scale and recognize it's interval relations.
Major
Natural Minor
Harmonic Minor: (Raised 7th degree)
Melodic Minor: (Raised 6th and 7th degree)

5. Scales Overview

6. 2. Jazz Modes And their relevant characteristics
Ionian – Mayor mode / (same as major scale)
Dorian – Minor Mode / (raised 6th degree)
Phrygian – Minor Mode / (lowered 2nd)
Lydian – Mayor Mode / (raised 4th degree)
Mixolydian – Mayor Mode / (lowered 7th degree)
Aeolian – Minor Mode / (same as minor scale)
Locrian – Minor mode with a lowered 5th / (special treat)

7. Modes Overview

8. (Modes Overview)

9. 3. Tensions
Chord Tensions are added tones in succession of 3rds to any given chord. Are considered chord tensions all the notes above the 7th from the root note. (9ths, 11ths and 13ths)
Adding Chord Tensions produces an increase of dissonant interval relations within the chord notes and it's tensions. (9ths and 7ths)

10. Intervallic Relations and Tensions

11. Melodic Tensions: These are non-chord tones that have vertical relevance. They are produced by the melody, but have harmonic implications. They are:
Longer than a quarter note. And or,
Followed by a Leap, And or,
On a strong beat preceded by a leap from below, followed by a chord note on a weak beat. 9 to 1, 11 to 3, or 13 to 5. In classical music these are also called or referred to as appoggiatura. The chord notes on weak beats are usually used to resolve or release the tension that was created melodically.

12. Melodic Tension Example:

13. 4. Embellishments and Approach Notes
They are short duration notes that move by step to a chord tone or chord tension.
They have a melodic purpose.
They are often used to connect 2 notes in a ascending or descending motion.
They can add color to a melody line.
They help to reduce or avoid leaps in a melody line.

14. Types of Approach Notes: A) Passing Tones (PT) They Move stepwise between two notes that are always a different pitch. Usually they are the notes in between chord notes or chord tensions.

15. B) Neighbor Tones (NT): Neighbor tones leave and return to the same note of origin in stepwise motion. There are cases where neighbor tones are unprepared, they proceed to their target note without any preparation.

16. C) Indirect Resolution (IR) This occurs when two short notes of equal value are found prior to the target note. The short notes approach It from above and below by step.

17. D) Double Chromatic Approach (DCHR)
It Consists of Two notes of short and equal duration that approach the target note moving by half step. two consecutive steps will be found prior to the target note.

18. E) Escape Tones (ET) They will be found interrupting the upward or downward motion of a melody line moving in the opposite direction. After the Escape tone, a leap will be needed to catch up with the melody flow or phrase direction.

19. 5. Anticipation and Delayed Attack
A Rhythmic Anticipation happens when a on-the-beat note is executed a whole beat or half beat before. (A)
A Delayed Attack Occurs when the note is attacked half beat or a whole beat late. (DA)

20. 6. Guide Tones
Guide Tones are chord tones or tensions that move to another subsequent chord tone or tension by common note or by stepwise motion.
Through their motion they provide a lead or smoother change to a different harmony or chord.
The 3rd and 7th of a chord are usually the most harmonically definitive guide tones since The 1st and 5th of the chord are usually already played by the bass line.
Guide Tones involving chord tensions are the most dissonant ones, therefore the most dramatic.
The choice of tensions available is often provided by the chord symbol