Flamenco Improvisation: Volume 1

Modal Improvisation and Melodic Construction in the Flamenco Environment-The definitive comprehensive explanation of both the harmonic and melodic aspects of flamenco! Flamenco Improvisation - Modal Improvisation and Melodic Construction in the Flamenco Environment by famed guitarist Enrique Vargas.Before delving into the more complex polytonal tetrachordal modal structures of flamenco Volume 1 explores the melodic and harmonic aspects of the seven basic Greek modes (Ionian Dorian Phrygian Lydian Mixolydian Aeolian and Locrian) even if they are not bona fide flamenco modalities. In addition the general rules of left-hand guitar fingerings are established here to avoid possible confusion when interpreting the wealth ofmaterial offered in the second and third volumes.In this first volume the concept of symmetrical permutations is analysed and explained and three types of symmetrical permutations with their corresponding guitar fingerings are presented for the basic modes. These permutations are perfectly valid for musical instruments other than the guitar ??? one can play them and just ignore the guitar fingering symbols. Every harmonic aspect of the seven basic modes are explained ??? triads seventh ninth and add chords etc. One appendix gives a compendium of 72 licks or melodic examples/ideas for improvisation written in each of the basic modes.

Modal Improvisation and Melodic Construction in the Flamenco Environment-The definitive comprehensive explanation of both the harmonic and melodic aspects of flamenco! Flamenco Improvisation - Modal Improvisation and Melodic Construction in the Flamenco Environment by famed guitarist Enrique Vargas. This volume deals with new scales in the flamenco modal language. Some of these scales such as the diminished wholetone overtone or hexatonic symmetrical come from modern classical or jazz. Others come from ethnic modalities which are external to flamenco. The harmonic implications of these scales is analysed and their application in the flamenco environment is explained and illustrated by numerous melodic examples both original and byrenowned flamenco artists. The concept of modal substitutions is introduced and modal polytonality is explained and the notion of replicating dominant scales by minor thirds and tritones is introduced and various ways to resolve a tritone are explained. Appendix I contains a collection of 110 licks in modern penta- hexa- hepta- and octatonic scales. Each lick is harmonized and comes with detailed guitar fingerings. Appendix II is a complete thesaurus of vertical and horizontal guitar fingerings for every modern penta- hexa- hepta- and octatonic scales in flamenco in every flamenco tonality. Each lick is recorded with harmonic accompaniment and bass.