Modal Jazz Techniques
 

In another thread we began talking about scales and such, I thought it would be better to start its own thread.

Those of us here that play Modal and Free Jazz . . . what are some of the devices we use?

Two of the devices I've used effectively are non-terminal / open ended lines in my soloing and interval clusters in my harmony. They go together well, in that the tight intervals free up the soloist to play in a more non-diatonic way while maintaining some form of cohesion to the clustered harmony.

i avoid null notes altogether

i normally use triadic intervals, repeated with the final note, a semtone or tones higher on the second phrase

i repeat melodic motifs using similar notes arranged differently

for the chording, i generally use a third chord substitution

and i do comps, over the length of the fretboard, again triads

Interesting post Sam . . . another technique I use is Side-Slipping where you slip out of the consonant scale into the pentatonic scale that contain all the out side notes, then slip back in. (a.k.a. Tritone Substitution)

C D E F G A B C (C ionian Imaj)
C# D# F# G# A# (C# dominant pentatonic V7)

i use chromatic scales (normally found in metal) over half-diminished 7th chords a lot also

Which Modal tunes have half diminished chords?

^^mine, ha ha ha

i like to use a Circle of Fifths progression, usually the 7th chord I use a minor seventh sharp fifth

look, do i really need to play by the rules?

Nope . . . no rules, that's the fun of it all! :afro:

I like to put the lydian on the relative major of a minor blues progression.

Takes care of all the avoid notes, and with a couple chromatics can add to tension in a "Caravan" sounding sorta way.