Jazz Improvisation - Avoid Notes

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In this series of videos I cover Jazz Piano Improvisation techniques. I'll explain, from start to finish, how you can learn to improvise over a jazz song and sound professional.

This Jazz Piano Tutorial is about Avoid Notes. Much like there are 'strong' notes within a scale (called guide tones - see related video here: Jazz Improvisation - Guide Tones ), there are also weak notes. Notes that do not quite fit harmonically into the chord that you're playing. These notes are called avoid note.

Avoid notes can be used as passing notes, should not be over-emphasised or sat on for too long as this will make your solo sound dissonant.

Technical Rule:
Avoid Note creates a dissonant interval (tritone or b9) with chord tone

Approx. Rule:
1. Major & Dominant 7 Chord - Avoid 4th
2. Minor Chord - Avoid 6th
3. Half Diminished Chord - Avoid 2nd

The Avoid Notes vary depending on which chord within a key that you are playing. They are as follows:
In the Key of C Major:

I - CMaj7 - avoid F
II - Dm7 - avoid B
III - Em7 - Avoid F & C
IV - FMaj7 - No Avoid Notes
V - G7 - Avoid C
VI - Am7 - Avoid F
VII - Bhalfdim7 - Avoid C

Avoid Notes can be used to build tension and as such can be used as an improvisation technique, but do be careful when using them as they sound intentionally unpleasant.

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