Learn to improvise. 2003-2004. Lesson 20: creating runs.
Just like the left hand can use broken chords to create a second part by
adding some introducing notes to it, so can the right hand make runs out
of those same chords after combining them with some notes. The chord
forms the frame, the extra notes take care of an acceptable rhythm.
Runs fill the main melody with ornaments. Often they are rushed
slovenly. This is probably by the idea they have to be fast. But they
have especially a rhythmic meaning. This requires a clear articulation.
This is not obtained by sheer exercise, of which the effect disappears
after a while anyway, but particularly by choosing a run which is easy to
play.
So the point is to pay attention to the position of your hand. Look for a
compromise between nice and easy.
In the first lessons you have been given the advise to learn for each chord one
position, which is easy to play (also in combination with changing of
chords) and which is also acceptable nice. These chords are well suited
for the purpose we are aiming at.
The procedure to make runs may be as follows:
- Choose nice chords in a position with an easy grasp, e.g.:
E7 in the position e-g#-b-d, D7 in the position d-f#-a-c and A7 in the
position a-c#-e-g.
Notice that the position of the hand in all these three cases is exactly the
same. The position of the hand comes close to this position when it is in
rest. This is an advantage. Moreover, it can be used for three chords
which occur often in the initial keys C, G, F, Am, Dm, among others. So
it is worthwhile to practice them.
- The next step is to play the grasp 4 times, every time an octave higher,
so successively in octave 4, 5, 6 and 7, e.g. for D7 we play:
d4-f#4-a4-c5, d5-f#5-a5-c6, d6-f#6-a6-c7, d7-f#7-a7-c8.
Click to hear the meaning.
- Then we play the same chords in the same grasps, though broken.
Click to hear the meaning.
- The last step is to make it flowing by pasting the chords to each other
by putting some notes in between them. These notes may be random. It
is not important they are of a high harmonic quality. There purpose is
the rhythm. So anything will do as long as it is easy to grasp and it gives
the possibility to play it rhythmically with a clear articulation.
Click to hear the meaning.
- After we have made a good run, we learn it by heart and practice it,
till we can play it like a machine gun.
The harmonic beauty has its basis from the chord, the rhythmic beauty
from the ease.
Just like the second part for the left hand, also here it holds for the right
one, that you can prepare certain runs for particular styles and initial
keys.
For this reason it is good to specialize in one initial key and in a fixed
position for the chords. (Many music methods disagree with this, which
makes spicy rhythm difficult.)
For raising and falling runs the same procedure may be used, but I find
for falling runs chords like Am easier to play.
Click to hear me play with (too) many runs.
HOMEWORK:
Develop runs and play them.
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