All The Chords There Are (Harmonic Voice-Leading Workout Over The Changes to "All The Things You Are") + backing tracks

All The Chords There Are (Harmonic Voice-Leading Workout Over The Changes to "All The Things You Are")

In this harmonic voice-leading workout I demonstrate how I like to structure my harmonic practice routines when exploring tunes or learning new repertoire. For the foundation of this study I have selected the harmonic progression of the great jazz standard "All The Things You Are."

The main goal of the exercise is to concentrate in different physical positions of the fretboard and try to voice all the chords of the tune while exploring interesting chord voicing options and fingerings that are particular to the range and string selection you have chosen. We can also decide to explore such chord changes through different harmonic density levels: from 2 to 4 note chord voicings.

The study consists of 4 different harmonic etudes over the entire form and chord progression of "All The Things You Are." Each etude is designed to explore a different part/range of the fretboard and the sonic/textural possibilities such range has to offer. Variation #3 also illustrates a chordal exploration of the progression using 3 note harmonic structures.

I suggest to explore each Harmonic Variation presented here in a rubato (freely) like fashion at first so you can get familiar with each chord voicing, its sound and texture and the voice-leading between the harmonies of the progression. Once familiar with the chordal vocabulary of each study our goal is to try to play the etude “in time” and in a faster tempo where the voicings are sounded in a piano-like style (all pitches articulated at the same time). For that purpose you can use the backing tracks included with the study.

Even though there are many more ways in which we can systematically organize our chordal practice and really get to explore the fullest range of harmonic possibilities the guitar has to offer, I do believe these four studies are more than enough to set you up on the right path to discover the distant peaks and valleys that lie ahead.

This harmonic voice-leading workout targets (in a very intense way) the development of new harmonic vocabulary, chording technique and fretboard navigation.

Materials Included:

"All The Chords There Are" Harmonic Voice-Leading Workout (PDF file - TAB and Standard Notation).

"HD Video" of all Harmonic Variations (in time and rubato).

2 Backing Tracks.

For more info please e-mail: hristo@hristovitchev.com