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About D C DowDell
Expertise
D C DowDell will answer questions about Jazz improvisation, composition, chord voicing, scales and modes, practice techniques and ear training. Professor DowDell also enjoys discussions on Jazz musicology and the evolution of style.

D C DowDell is a professional Jazz pianist/composer who currently teaches online Jazz studies at A Passion for Jazz!. Professor DowDell has been teaching music for over 25 years at 2 major universities, several community colleges as well as accepting students for private study.



Experience
As an educator, D C DowDell has published articles at the university level and recently published Basic Musicianship a primary reference text for pianists, vocalists and composers.

D C also maintains an active performance schedule, having appeared with Rosemary Clooney, Marilyn McCoo, Bobby Vinton to name just a few. Generally, D C stays in the Southern California area with Jazz ensemble or as a solo artist.

Organizations
American Federation of Musicians
National Music Teachers Association
International Association of Jazz Educators

Education/Credentials
Bachelors of Music Education from UCLA
Masters of Music Composition from UNT

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Jazz > Jazz Soloing

Topic: Jazz


Expert: D C DowDell
Date: 5/8/2007
Subject: Jazz Soloing

Question
Hi - I always am stumped as to what notes to play for individual chords. Are there certain scales that work with certain chords? Also, when soloing, how do I know "where to go?" Thank you.

Answer



Hello Buddy and thank you for contacting me through AllExperts.com.

Yes there are some notes that work better than other for some chords, but it
is more common to solo over the Tone Center (TC) rather than the individual
chords themselves. The TC is where those chords are going... pointing to.

Example: Dm7 G7 C

In the above example, the chord progression points to the C chord, or tonic.
This is the Tone Center. So various chords associated with C major may be
used.


Here is a helpful chart:

http://www.apassion4jazz.net/jazz-chords-scales.html

In answer to your second question, a good solo reflects the tune you're
soloing over. There are various ways in doing this. Here is a helpful chart:

http://www.apassion4jazz.net/improv2.html




Thanks for the interest.



D C DowDell
Professor of Music
A Passion for Jazz!
studio: 619.223.2069
mobile: 619.855.2069
http://www.apassion4jazz.net/  

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