Jason Lyon Music

Tag: modal jazz

  • Crystal Metheny

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    Jason
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    The point of this week’s post isn’t confined to Metheny tunes – it’s just that there are a couple we’ve happened to play recently that illustrate it nicely. The two tunes I’ll reference are Song for Bilbao and Question & Answer. They’re both characterised by rather floaty harmony on the A sections and contrasting, very…

  • Modus Operandi

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    Jason
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    There’s a certain type of semi-modal tune that comprises slabs – 4, 2 or even 1 bar long – of different modes chosen seemingly at random (seemingly). These tunes stubbornly resist traditional harmonic analysis. (I say semi-modal. I’ll leave the strict categorisation to the academics – they love a good row.) I’m thinking of tunes…

  • Are Modes all Greek to You?

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    Jason
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    “Just play the white notes from D to D my dear, that’s the Dorian mode.” “Okay, but isn’t that just Dm7?” “No no no, you’re playing modally.” “Riiiiight. So maestro, what’s the difference?” “Goes back to the Greeks, you silly girl.” “Who are you calling silly in that wig? It’s certainly all ελληνικά to me…”…