Mike's Music Musings

Here's a transcription of a guitar solo over the song  "Verve"  by Organ Freeman.  The transcription includes analysis of the harmonic devices used by guitarist Erik Carlson.  It starts off bluesy but quickly gets into the realm of jazz fusion, utilizing a melodic minor sound over a static minor 7th chord.  Tension and excitement is built with heavy chromaticism, followed a jarring tritone run.  Check it out!

Whether you know it or not, you've heard the minor line cliche before.  The progression is a key feature in songs such as: In a Sentimental Mood This Masquerade My Funny Valentine  This device can be an effective way to add harmonic motion to a chord, especially when it's held for an extended period of time.  Over a minor chord, the harmony could be thought of minor - minor/major7 - minor7 - minor6.  The minor line cliche can also imply a ii-V progression, starting from the root of the minor chord and landing on the third of the dominant or major 7th of the I.  T he minor line cliche obvious or obfuscated, weaving other notes through and around it. It's helpful to study famous minor line cliches and come up with your own.