What's forward motion? Within this text, the term forward motion implies creating the sense that the music is moving forward of it's own motive power. That the way we create and approach the rhythms gives the music a life of it's own. With improvised melodic line, that the lines generate a sense of motive energy and a "catch me if you can" musical dynamic. So in this sense the melodic line leads the music? So often yes, and that the line by itself conveys the essence of being self propelling and sustaining? Exactly. Is forward motion like accelerating the lines? Well ...
So, how does one do this, create a sense of forward motion in their lines? Well, one aspect is by giving the line a bit of a take off point by using a pick up note to start the idea, usually found on an off beat. Example 1.
| D min 7 | G 9 G 7b9+5 | C maj 7 | A 7 |
Starting the line with an eighth note rest, we "jump start" the idea rhythmically as well as melodically as we employ the half step lead in to slide into the first pitch of the idea. We use the eighth note pick up again in the second measure to set up the resolution to the major tonality. Both of these pickups help to create the sense of forward motion in the line.
A sure way to strengthen this ability of creating a sense of forward motion in our lines is by working with just a click track or metronome. Find a comfortable tempo, slow it down a bit, and count so that the clicks become the 2nd and 4th beats of a measure of regular 4 / 4 time and play your lines in this groove. I call this the blues challenge when I try to string together a couple of choruses in the groove.
A second way to accomplish and create the sense of forward motion within the line is by tying or holding the notes over the barline within a phrase. This approach is cool in that it can also make the feel of the barlines begin to go away. Example 2.
| D min 7 | G 9 G 7b9 | C maj 7 | A 7 |
Did you say make the barlines go away? Are your lines and rhythms forward moving? Ever thought about it? Do you naturally just groove along in coolness? Then no worries eh? But have you attempted or mastered the blues challenge?
| Where to next? | ||||
|
I think one's own feelings waste themselves in words, they ought to be distilled into actions and into actions which bring results. Florence Nightingale
