Chapter IV

Seamus demonstrates several methods of maximizingthe sense of melodicism in your playing as well as your compositions.

The Mastery PGMelodic Playing

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Melodicism is an essential characteristic of a masterimproviser. Seamus explains that one must hear the melodiesbefore playing them on the instrument to be in control ofwhat they are improvising at any given time. In order to attainthis control, the player must develop a strong connection between their ear and what they choose to play.

SeaSeamus encourages his students to sing their ideas beforeattempting to play them on the instrument. Vocalizing yourlines will enforce this ear-to-instrument connection. Also,including transcription as a key element of your practice routine will further improve this connection. Seamus also suggests studying the structure of good melodies not only in jazz but in all other genres of music.

SeaSeamus goes on further to explain that “chords are the servants of the melody.” To Seamus, the chords must fitthe melody, not the other way around. He cites Ornette Coleman’s compositions as a good example of this wayof compositional and improvisational thinking.

In summary, playing melody is done through the voice. Developing your ear is integral to being able to grab ideasquiquickly on your instrument. Ultimately, being a lyrical playerwill help you stand out as a musician.

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The Mastery of Melodic Playing - Overview Ch. 4, pg.34

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“The best players in jazz are lyrical,melodic players.”

Sing What You Want to Play Ch. 4, pg.35

SING WHAT YOU WANT TO PLAY

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� The Masteryof Melodic Playing

• Matching what you sing/hear in your head

• Connecting your ear to your lines

• Finding the notes on your instrument quickly

• Transcribing to strengthen the ability to find notes

• Studying strong melodies in all genres of music

Refer to the next section for transcriptions.

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� Sing What You Want to Play - Transcriptions

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Sing What You Want to Play Ch. 4, pg.36

(3:41)

(6:06)

Sing What You Want to Play - Homework Ch. 4, pg.37� The Masteryof Melodic Playing

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SCALE APPLICATIONS

• Using the next page, make a list of melodies from

various genres of music that you consider strong

• Practice finding these melodies on your instrument

as quickly as possible

• Sing ideas that you hear in your head and translate

them on your instrument as quickly as possible

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Interact with other users on the website and ask questions!

Our mentors will answer all your questions and help you

through your musical journey. The best student will be

selected each month to recieve one free masterclass of

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� Sing What You Want to Play

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Sing What You Want to Play - Homework Ch. 4, pg.38

Melody is King Ch. 4, pg.39

MELODY IS KING

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� The Masteryof Melodic Playing

• Chords are servants of the melody

• Make our chords fit the melodies

• Check out Ornette Coleman tunes for a perfect example

Refer to the next section for transcriptions.

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Melody is King Ch. 4, pg.40

(9:42)

Melody is King Ch. 4, pg.41� The Masteryof Melodic Playing

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MELODY IS KING

• Using the next page, write a a few short melodies and

experiment with different harmonizations of those

melodies

• In the standards in your repertoire, seek out any chords

which would better fit the melody than the chords you

would normally see in a real book or hear in a session

ASK YOUR MENTOR

Interact with other users on the website and ask questions!

Our mentors will answer all your questions and help you

through your musical journey. The best student will be

selected each month to recieve one free masterclass of

their choice.

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� Melody is King - Create

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Melody is King - Homework Ch. 4, pg.42

Connecting Your Voice with Your Instrument & Recap Ch. 4, pg.43

CONNECTING YOUR VOICE WITH

YOUR INSTRUMENT & RECAP

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� The Masteryof Melodic Playing

• Sing longer lines as you learn to tranlsate what you hear

quickly on your instrument

• Playing melodies is done through the voice first

• Develop your ear so you can hear something and play it

instantly

• Having this ability will help you stand out as a musician

TThis section is a recapitulation of previous topics in the

chapter. No futher transcriptions.

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