Regarding Pat's "minor conversion" approach:
a. The main reference is NOT to intentionally redirect one's appraoch to
soloing (as Pat himself has pointed out); rather, it is to SIMPLIFY what
is already understood relative to any major scale tonality.
b. Minor scale conversion is not about scales as such. It is about
creating and utilizing conceptual "line-forms" (drawn from a variety of
scale sources as well as the available arpeggios, triads, intervals,
pentatonics & chromaticism). The reference point merely becomes - for
Martino - the minor 7th chord voicings and their inversions along the
fretboard, which connect these original line-forms to their parental
scale forms.
c. The idea that a specific mode is being thought about realitive to
Pat's improvising is only part truth; it would be more accurate to say
that Pat has worked out several lengthy line-forms (derived in and around
the minor 7 voicing shapes) which may be realigned (or modified) at will
according to the key of the moment. Pat has internalized these lines and
so can phrase them, shape their length, and embellish them to the extent
that it appears as "spontaneous combustion" -in terms of improvisation.
d. In order to "get inside" this kind of line-form soloing one must take
the time to think and hear in terms of music -not scales. The melodic
continuity eminating from Pat's solos are the direct result of "hearing"
these lines, not looking for which scale fits over what. The journey is
from the whole to the part (for analysis) and from the part to the whole
(for self-expression). Yes, one may implement the "tools" prior to the
forming of the improvised line, but once understood these tools must be
put aside in order to occupy the house.
There is more to be said here, but suffice to say that Pat Martino's
approach to improvising defies a specific "scale" catagory. I have
worked out and analyzed Pat's solos now for some 15 years. The melodic
continuity is part programed response (to and from the previously learned
line-forms) and part adaptation to the immediate response of "being" in
the moment.
Perhaps Clay Moore can "flesh out" this subject also.
___________________________________________________________________
Get the Internet just the way you want it.
Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month!
Try Juno Web: .
