Using Introductions as Breakdowns

Music Lesson: Intros and Breaks in Harmony

So, there's all kinds of introductions and breakdowns that are based on this harmony. Rather than using chunky and rhythmic patterns, we can create something a little more pretty, an arpeggiated version of those chords.

Arpeggiated Ideas

For example, you could play something simple based on an arpeggiation of the chords, finishing with a going down a ninth chord. Feel free to play around with different voicings:

• Explore Options:
  • "I don't know... the possibilities are endless, really."
  • Have fun with arpeggiating those harmonies.

Intro Breakdown Example

Here's another intro idea that you can also use as a breakdown, which again is based on those harmonies. Let's try it:

• Count In: "1, 2, 3."
• Description: "Yeah, I think it's quite a deep one."

Analyzing the Structure

So, essentially, it goes from C7 to C diminished 7, adding a little bluesy rundown. Here's how the whole run goes:

• There's a neat little intro idea for you.
• Some people extend that rundown, so the end of that intro could go like this:
  • Adding an extra bar just creates a bit of unexpectedness, which resolves when it goes to the four.

Moving to Breaks

Now, moving on from intros, let's look at breaks. This is a perfect example of a boogie break.

Understanding Breaks

• Breaks help create more excitement in dancing. In any genre, things calm down for a moment, and then the music starts again.
• In Boogie Woogie, they use breaks. For example, in Pinetop's Boogie Woogie, Pinetop says, "Hey, when I say stop, don't move a peg. When I say Boogie Woogie, you shake it!"

Another Break Idea

Let's look at another break idea, which gives you a lot of freedom to do your thing. It's built on this, in fact, that's basically it:

• Structure: That leaves you two bars to fill with anything you want to do.
• Use ideas based on thirds and sixths, or simple riffs. Albert Ammons does just that!

Contextual Example

Let me show you it in context. Here we go, starting from the five:

• Count In: "One, two, three, four."
• Filling: "So I'm just filling it in with... base notes or something like that."

You might jump up to an octave with the fifth idea. Here's another idea using that arpeggiated ninth chord, still from the five:

• Count In: "1, 2, 3."
• Creativity: "The two-bar gap can be filled with anything you want. Let your creativity go wild!"

Feel free to experiment with a whole tone scale or anything else that resonates with you.

Conclusion

Ultimately, this music should be fun! There you have some intros and breaks. You can often interchange the two, using these ideas for either introductions or breaks in the middle of the tune. Enjoy!