Improvising with triad inversions
With
Tim Richards
What's in the course
31 lessons (1h 43m) · 1 free
Lesson transcript
Improvise with Triad Inversions and Arpeggios
In my solo just now, I improvised primarily using triad inversions and arpeggios, as you probably noticed.
Composing a New Melody
That's basically what the melody does as well. So really, you're trying to compose a new melody following the same harmonic structure.
Example with Bass Line
Here's an example using the bass line:
- Use Root Position Triads: Only three basic triads to start.
- Try to Elaborate: Incorporate spread position triads to achieve a richer sound.
You can achieve impressive results just by using the notes of the chords!
Simplifying Coordination
If you're having trouble coordinating this with that slightly tricky bass line, don't be afraid to simplify it. You could play something as simple as this:
- Everything on the Beat: The main thing is that you should be playing in time. It doesn't really matter whether you do the given bass line or not.
Here's a simple example:
1, 2, 3, 4.
You can pretty much put that on autopilot, everything's on the beat!
Explore Different Inversions
So those are all second inversion shapes. Try something similar with other triad positions and inversions!
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Meet your guru
Meet your guru
Critically acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Tim Richards is one of Britain’s most experienced jazz educators, teaching piano privately for over 30 years, as well as at Morley College, Goldsmiths College, the University of Surrey, Premises Studios and other venues in the UK and abroad. He has produced numerous titles for Schott Music, including the best-selling two-volume Exploring Jazz Piano, Blues, Boogie & Gospel Collection and the acclaimed Improvising Blues Piano. He is also co-author, with John Crawford, of Exploring Latin Piano and Brazilian Piano Collection.
More recently Schott have published Jazz, Latin & Modern Collection (15 pieces for solo piano), comprising Tim Richards originals alongside pieces by Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk, and the two volume set Beginning Jazz Piano (now a two-part MusicGurus course).
“The real joy of Tim’s music… is that it is both hugely educational but also such great fun to play. Anyone with the slightest interest in learning to play or teach jazz piano should really acquire a set of Tim’s books.” PianoDao
As a performer Tim has been a presence on the UK jazz scene since the 1980s, also playing the blues with UK and US legends such as Otis Grand, Earl Green, Dana Gillespie, Larry Garner, Joe Louis Walker and Mojo Buford. He has released over a dozen albums as a leader (featuring many of London’s best jazz musicians including Pete King, Gilad Atzmon, Tony Kofi, Jason Yarde, Seb Rochford, Ed Jones, Dick Pearce and many others), and toured all over Europe with line-ups ranging from duo to nine-piece. His latest recording, the album ‘Telegraph Hill’ by the six-piece Hextet, was described in The Observer as "A true joy from beginning to end".
More info can be found on his website www.timrichards.ndo.co.uk
