Octave Displacement

When most people think of bebop, they think of linear eighth note lines.  While this is certainly a major part of the bebop language, playing that is too linear can sound boring and predictable.  Octave displacement is a great way to break up the linearity in your playing by introducing wider intervals.  Octave displacement is done by breaking up an arpeggio run (ascending or descending) and at any point changing the octave of the notes.  See below for four examples over ii-V chord progressions.


Major ii-V

This example has three octave displacements to unpack...
Am7
Starting note: Root
Displacement placement:  4th eighth note
Displacement direction: down
Interval: major 6th
Note: this displacement to the b7 voice leads very nicely in a major ii-V to the 3 of the dominant
D7
Starting note: 3rd
Displacement placement: 2nd eighth note
Displacement direction: up
Interval: b6
Note: this displacement creates a nice enclosure around the 3rd of the major 7 chord when used in a V-I
Gmaj7
Starting note: 3rd
Displacement placement: 2nd eighth note
Displacement direction: down
Interval: 6

Here's another example


Am7
Starting note: Root
Displacement placement:  2th eighth note
Displacement direction: down
Interval: major 6th
D7b9
Starting note: 3rd
Displacement placement: 2nd eighth note
Displacement direction: down
Interval: major 6th
Gmaj7
Starting note: 3rd
Displacement placement: 3rd eighth note
Displacement direction: down
Interval: major 7
Note: I've "hidden" the arpeggio in this displacement by adding a suspended 4th for a beat before landing on the 3rd

Minor ii-V

Em7b5
No octave displacement
A7b9
Starting note: 3rd
Displacement placement: 2nd eighth note
Displacement direction: down
Interval: major 6th
Dm7
Two here!!
Starting note: 5th
Displacement placement: 4th eighth note
Displacement direction: down
Interval: major 6th
---
Starting note: b3rd
Displacement placement: 4th eighth note
Displacement direction: down
Interval: b7
Note: I begin the second octave displacement as the first one ends, tying the two displacement examples together.

And a second example...


Em7b5
No octave displacement
A7b9
Starting note: 3rd
Displacement placement: 2nd eighth note
Displacement direction: up
Interval: major 6th
Dm7
Two here!!
Starting note: b3rd
Displacement placement: 3rd eighth note
Displacement direction: down
Interval: major 6th
---
Starting note: b7th
Displacement placement: 4th eighth note
Displacement direction: up
Interval: major 6th
Note: I begin the second octave displacement before the first one ends, tying the two displacement examples together.