BIDIRECTIONAL APPLICATION Now let ’ s look at how we can turn this intervallic exercise into a bidirectional approach . As you might have already guessed , a bidirectional version of this exercise will blend both the ascending and descending versions of the intervallic 3rds . In the following example , we are simply going to alternate between ascending and descending for each successive intervallic grouping , starting with the ascending version . See Example 3 on the previous page .
Notice the interesting way in which the notes melodically cycle up and down . Patterns like these have a very captivating sound that presents a couple of different contrary motion elements . You still hear an underlying alternating ascending and descending direction as you progress through each interval , but the overall shape of the exercise still moves you from low range to high and then back to low again , just as it did with exercises 1 and 2 . You may also notice that it takes a little more concentration to get the bidirectional exercises under your fingers since you have to really look ahead and see where the starting note will jump to for each intervallic grouping .
Exercise 1 – Bidirectional 4ths
Exercise 2 – Bidirectional 5ths
Exercise 3 – Bidirectional 6ths
Exercise 4 – Bidirectional 6ths / 3rds
Now that you have been introduced to the concept , let ’ s work on some other bidirectional exercises using intervals in exercises 1 - 3 . If you ’ re up for an even bigger challenge , here are some hybrid versions of bidirectional intervallic approaches in exercises 4-6 .
Exercise 5 – Bidirectional 6ths / 4ths
I hope you enjoyed experimenting with these shapes ! As always , get them under your fingers and then turn them into ear training exercises . If you can internalize melodic movement at this level of intricacy over different chords or harmonic contexts , you will raise your level of musicianship exponentially . Until next time , keep practicing !
Exercise 6 – Bidirectional 5ths / 3rds
Adam Nitti Nashville-based Adam Nitti balances his roles as a solo artist , sideman , and educator . He has filled the bass chair for Kenny Loggins , Carrie Underwood , Dave Weckl Band , Michael McDonald , Susan Tedeschi , Steven Curtis Chapman , Mike Stern , Brent Mason , Wayne Krantz , and Christopher Cross , while also releasing five solo CDs to date . As a Nashville session bassist he has played on multiple Grammywinning and Grammy-nominated albums , and is also the founder of ...
AdamNittiMusicEducation . com
October 2023 Subscribe for Free ... 97