Get to know MonkвЂ™s signature tune вЂњRound MidnightвЂќ by listening to as many different recordings as you can find. Since youвЂ™ll want to include one open string within each of your voicings to maximize their clustery, Monk-like character, be sure to use your open E or D strings for C whole-tone chords and your open G, A, or B for B whole-tone chords. Lots of other chord shapes can be made from the whole-tone scale, of course, and you should search for some that sound especially sweet or piquant to your ears. This is because the B whole-tone scale contains the exact same notes as the whole-tone scales starting on C #, D #, F, G, and A, while the C whole-tone scale contains the exact same notes as the whole-tone scales starting on D, E, F #, G #, and A #. There are only two different whole-tone scales-one starting on B, and one starting on C. 3aвЂ“ d illustrate the same scale starting from C, as well as some chord clusters built from these scale tones. A little bit of mystery is fine in the whole-tone universe.Д®x. Generally speaking, assume that the lowest pitch is the root when naming these chords, but donвЂ™t overthink such sonorities. 2b might be considered a C # 7 with an augmented 5, or A(add9) with an augmented 5, or something else altogether. 2bвЂ“ d illustrates some of the Monk-esque chordal sounds that can be created from the whole-tone scale in this key.Д«ecause of the symmetrical nature of the whole-tone scale, chords built from it can be harder to name than the chords you find in conventional major-scale harmony. Monk could-and often did-play through fragments of this scale quite briskly.

Play the scale here ascending and descending a few times, doing your best to get some momentum going in both directions. Monk frequently peppered his compositions and improvisations with whole-tone flourishes as well as chord clusters built from the scale. Learn to play a couple of MonkвЂ™s easier, blues-based tunes-вЂњMisteriosoвЂќ and вЂњBlue Monk,вЂќ for example.ДЄnother signature sound in much of MonkвЂ™s music is the whole-tone scale-a six-note scale constructed symmetrically, using consecutive whole steps (as shown in Ex. Then write your own 12-bar blues-in any key-using just one motif throughout. 1 until you can play it smoothly at the prescribed tempo (80 bpm). Your twofold assignment this week: Practice Ex.

Instead of forcing something new into every measure, see how much music you can make out of one simple idea. Think about this when composing your own music. Some other composers may have been tempted to use more variety when writing a tune such as this, but Monk apparently found something compelling about tenacious repetition. Notice how the simple motif-a sixth interval, stair-stepping up and back-is used over and over through the entire piece. This unusual quality is one of the things that makes вЂњMisteriosoвЂќ sound like no other blues tune in the jazz canon. This note implies an Amaj7 chord, whereas dominant chords are by far the most typical chords used in blues. 1, a 12-bar blues based on MonkвЂ™s composition вЂњMisterioso.вЂќ One interesting quirk here (as in MonkвЂ™s original) is that the melody played over the I chord (bars 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 11) contains the note G #. Since motivic development is a great musical tool-regardless of style or era-thatвЂ™s where this Monk-inspired Weekly Workout course begins. This is apparent in his improvisations and in many of his compositions. He could develop any small musical idea could be developed into a much bigger, bolder statement. Like a new favorite hot sauce, you may use these tangy sounds as generously or as sparingly as you like.ДЄnother idiosyncratic aspect of MonkвЂ™s music was his approach to motivic development. ThereвЂ™s a little method to the madness, as youвЂ™ll see.

If altered chords are new to you, donвЂ™t worry. Another common Monk tactic was to alter major or dominant chords to include a flatted fifth. You can do this on the guitar by using open strings in novel ways. But whatever your predilections are, thereвЂ™s plenty to be learned from MonkвЂ™s unique approach to music, and much of it can be adapted for your instrument.ДЇor example, Monk favored unconventional chord voicings, often including clusters of notes that neighbored the actual chord tones. As such, you may or may not be interested in classic jazz. You are, presumably, an acoustic guitarist, playing music in the 21st century. Thelonious Sphere Monk was a brilliant jazz pianist and composer, active from the 1940s through the early вЂ™70s. So we're asking you to give just $1 (or whatever you can afford) right now. Hey, fellow guitarist! Did you know 99.9% of visitors to this site will scroll past this message without making a contribution? Many plan to pledge later, but then forget.

Misterioso thelonious monk