Playing Through The Changes Key To Key

In a previous lesson we analyzed in detail the progression based on the changes to the Jazz
Standard “All The Things You Are.”

We looked at the functionality of the chords and the different key changes.

Part 1

For this lesson I just want you to play through the changes. Don’t worrying about each chord
individually unless the chord in question requires different attention. When a sequence of
chords is all derived from one key I want you to solo thinking of that Tonic Scale.

For example the 1st 5 bars are all from the key of Ab. Instead of thinking F-7 to Bb-7 to Eb7
etc you can just think Ab Major for the whole 5 bars.

One mistake many beginning improvisers make is they think they have to solo over each
chord individually. This can be very intense when we are playing tunes at a fast tempo. There
are techniques and exercises we can apply to help us mark each chord and we will be
looking at those techniques in later lessons but for now I want you to focus on grouping the
changes in to different keys and improvising around those key centers.

When you look at the analyzed chart you will see where the key changes happen. When you
come across the Modal Interchange Chord, the Secondary and the Functional Diminished
Chord I want you to use the appropriate chord scales.
  
  

Here is a recap of the analysis.

Bar 1-5 Ab Major
Bar 6-8 C Major
Bar 9-13 Eb Major
Bar 14-20 G Major
Bar 21-23 E Major
Bar 24 Secondary Dominant V7/VI Ab Ionian add #5
Bar 25-29 Ab Major
Bar 30 Ab Aeolian
Bar 31 Ab Major
Bar 32 Functional bIII Diminished Ab Lydian add #2
Bar 33-35 Ab Major
Bar 36 Secondary Dominant V7/VI Ab Ionian add #5

Play along with the mp3’s I have given you to just play through the progression focusing on
the different key changes.

Remember to start at a very slow tempo and once you are comfortable playing through the
progression raise the tempo and repeat.

It’s also very worthwhile and helpful to write out a solo. Keep your ideas very simple and only
use 8th notes. Write out 2 to 3 choruses and learn how to play your solo on the bass.

It is very important to understand that you are not trying to write the perfect solo; you are
just trying to get through the key changes using the correct chord scales.

Step 2

Now you have a handle on the progression and can get through the key changes I want you
to apply the Linear Solo Concepts exercise.

I have written out one chorus for you to analyze but it’s important that you write out your
own quarter note line over 2 to 3 choruses.
  

Here are the steps I want you to follow.

• Write out a quarter note line through the progression away from your instrument.
• Play through your written line then use the concept to improvise a quarter note line
through the progression.
• When improvising change the direction of your line randomly and play over all areas
of the fingerboard.
• Once you are comfortable playing a quarter note line at different tempos. Start soloing
being musical whilst keeping with the concept.

If you need to review the Liner Solo Concepts check out the Chapter 8 in the Academy.

Continued >>