Improvisation Masterclass
Beyond Melodic Minor
“Great lesson and well explained subject, for the stundents it's such an incredible tool for improvising, about an scale that has few mention on books (if there is any). Genil Castr…”
About this masterclass
Genil Castro takes the melodic minor scale a step further, introducing two altered versions — melodic minor #4 (also known as harmonic major) and melodic minor #5 — and showing how their dominant modes open up new sounds for jazz improvisation. This is Part 1, focused on tonal context; it connects with Genil's earlier improvisation lessons on this site.
What's covered
- A review of the plurality concept — seeing one shape (a minor 6 voicing) as C minor 6, F9 or B altered, an idea Genil traces to Ted Greene's Chord Chemistry
- Vertical and horizontal perspectives of scales, starting from a Bill Evans-style voicing as a "vertical summary" of melodic minor
- The dominant modes of melodic minor, including the altered scale and Lydian b7 (with a nod to George Russell's Lydian Chromatic Concept)
- Dominant modes of melodic minor #4
- Dominant modes of melodic minor #5
- Applying these scales tonally in a II–V context
Designed for advanced players who already know their melodic minor modes and want fresh dominant colors to draw on. A follow-up lesson explores these sounds in outside and modal playing.
PDF included: 9 pages. Skill level: Advanced. Duration: 43 minutes.
Lessons in this masterclass
Lessons
- 1Beyond Melodic Minor Full Class + Download43m 9s
Reviews & Ratings
Great lesson and well explained subject, for the stundents it's such an incredible tool for improvising, about an scale that has few mention on books (if there is any). Genil Castro is an outstanding teacher and player, waiting for the part two
A FANTASTIC class. Most unusual material, well presented, the PDF is very helpful, well done all around. I'm ready for the followup.
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