Intervals in Sequences

Lesson 3/87 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Jazz Guitar

Intervals in Sequences

Once you have a basic understanding of how intervals work, it is a good idea to practice playing scales in interval sequences. As mentioned earlier, a sequence is a repetitive pattern in which the rhythm remains the same while the pitches are repeated higher or lower, usually within a specific scale or mode. The following examples demonstrate intervals played through various major scales.

Because of the pattern of tones and semitones within the major scale, you will find that various types of intervals occur rather than all being the one type. For example, example 82 shows the C major scale played ascending and descending in 2nds. All of the intervals are 2nds but some of them are major 2nds (e.g., C to D and D to E) and some are minor 2nds (e.g., E to F and B to C).

Here is the F major scale played in 3rds. Once again, some are major and some are minor.

This example shows the A major scale played in 4ths. All of the intervals here are perfect 4ths except for D to G# which is an augmented 4th.

Here is the Bb major scale played in 5ths. All of the intervals are perfect 5ths except for A to Eb which is a diminished 5th.

This one demonstrates the G major scale played in 6ths. Again, some are major and some are minor. As the intervals get larger, these examples will probably become more difficult to play. Take them slowly at first but stick with it, as a good knowledge of intervals is essential for improvising.

This example shows the Ab major scale played in 7ths. As with previous interval studies you will find that some of the 7ths here are major and some are minor.

It is also important to be able to play your scales in octaves. Using octaves is a common Jazz guitar technique made popular by Wes Montgomery. Playing in octaves requires quite a bit of movement along the fretboard. The following example demonstrates the E major scale played in octaves.

As well as learning your scales with all the intervals, it is important to practice improvising and concentrating on a particular interval. The following example makes extensive use of 4ths.

Here is a 12 bar Blues solo in the key of Bb which makes use of many different intervals. Go through it and analyze the intervals and also the scale degrees against a Bb chromatic scale.

Notice the use of both major and minor 3rd degrees, as well as the flattened 5th and 7th degrees of the scale. The b3, b5 and b7 are known as blue notes and are particularly common in Blues.

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1- Keys and Key Signatures 2- More about Eighth Notes 3- Identifying Intervals by Ear 4- Intervals 5- Developing Rhythmic Control 6- Using Ties 7- Transposing 8- Using the Whole Fretboard, Playing in all Keys 9- Scale Degrees 10- The Triplet 11- Scale Tone 7th Chords 12- LESSON NINE 13- Using the Scale Forms 14- Learning all the Notes 15- INTRODUCTION 16- More about Major Scales 17- The II V I Progression 18- Arpeggios and Chord Progressions 19- Seventh Chords 20- Scale Tone Chords 21- Modes over Chord Changes 22- Fingerings for Modes 23- Basic Jazz Sounds and Techniques 24- The Major Scale 25- Understanding Chords 26- Modes 27- Understanding Rhythms 28- Understanding Chord Progressions, Arpeggios and Modes 29- Eighth Notes 30- The Chromatic Scale 31- Arpeggios 32- Major Scales in all Keys 33- Intervals in Sequences 34- Interval Qualities 35- Playing What You Hear 36- Improvising with Arpeggios 37- Scale Tone 7th Pattern 38- Major Key Triad Pattern 39- Tones and Semitones 40- Learning to Play Seventh Chords 41- Improvising with Set Rhythms 42- The Importance of Timing and Attitude 43- Using Set Rhythms 44- Syncopation 45- Mode Formulas 46- Other Common Progressions 47- Swing Rhythms 48- Creating Your Own Melodies 49- Ties Across a Bar Line 50- Combining Modes and Arpeggios 51- Visualizing Scale Degrees 52- Notes on the Guitar Fretboard 53- Tuning Your Guitar 54- Interval Distances 55- Chord Construction - Triads 56- Sequences 57- Jam Along Progressions 58- Scale Tone Chords in all Keys 59- Fretboard Diagrams 60- Major Sevenths 61- Counting Swing Eighth Notes 62- Enharmonic Notes 63- First and Second Endings 64- 5 Forms of Movable Fingerings 65- Major Scale Pattern 66- Notes in More than one Place 67- Dominant Sevenths 68- Listening 69- The G Major Scale 70- Finding Intervals on the Fretboard 71- Left Hand Fingering 72- Memorizing the Notes of the Scale 73- Position Playing 74- The Key Cycle 75- Common Progressions 76- The F Major Scale 77- Higher and Lower Versions of Notes 78- Minor Sevenths 79- Chord Symbols 80- Tablature 81- More titles by LearnToPlayMusic.com 82- Practicing Scales and Arpeggios 83- Other Major Scales 84- Technique 85- Minor 7 Flat Five and Diminished 86- Approach to Practice 87- Practice Position

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Intervals in Sequences