: This approach produces larger interval leaps than standard scales, resulting in the "modern" jazz aesthetic used by players like Woody Shaw and Michael Brecker. Accessibility
By incorporating intervallic improvisation into your practice routine, you'll be well on your way to becoming a more confident and creative musician. Get your copy of Walt Weiskopf's PDF today and start improvising like a pro!
Improvisation is the cornerstone of jazz music. For decades, players relied primarily on scalar and chordal approaches to navigate complex harmonic progressions. However, modern jazz demanding more vertical, angular, and unpredictable textures paved the way for a revolutionary approach: .
: A player selects two triads within a specific scale that do not share any common notes. Intervallic Improvisation Walt Weiskopf Pdf 42
Authorized digital versions, physical print editions, and companion sample materials can be acquired directly via the official Walt Weiskopf Website or through authorized jazz pedagogy distributors like Jamey Aebersold Jazz Books.
Here is a paper structured as if analyzing the material found on of that book.
Larger intervals require rapid changes in finger combinations, often crossing register breaks. Focus on clean finger articulation. Keep your fingers close to the keys to avoid sloppy transitions. Ensure your embouchure remains stable so the upper notes do not chirp and the lower notes do not drop out. For Guitarists and Pianists : This approach produces larger interval leaps than
Wide intervals require precise articulation and finger coordination. Start slowly, ensuring that the transitions between distant notes are smooth and seamless.
The search for typically points to jazz musicians looking for a digital copy of Walt Weiskopf’s influential method book, Intervallic Improvisation: The Modern Sound: A Step Beyond Linear Improvisation .
: Identify guide tones (3rds and 7ths) on downbeats. Improvisation is the cornerstone of jazz music
[Cell Construction Example] Root -> Perfect 4th -> Major 5th -> Minor 7th (Creates an angular, modern sound profile)
The "Intervallic" method encourages players to move away from stepwise motion, creating a more angular, modern, and "sophisticated" sound similar to that of John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, and Michael Brecker. Key Concepts in the Method
The secret to making angular lines sound musical is how you connect them. When transitioning from one chord cell to another (such as a ii-V-I progression), ensure the last note of your first cell resolves by a half-step or whole-step to the first note of the next cell. The Impact on Modern Jazz Education
: Permutations of the triad pairs starting from distinct inversions (e.g., first and second inversions moving in opposite directions).