Flamenco Improvisation: Vol. 1

Publisher: Sher Music
Modal Improvisation and Melodic Construction in the Flamenco Environment
 387 pages!
The definitive, comprehensive explanation of both the harmonic and melodic aspects of flamenco!

• Published in three Volumes, over 1000 pages total - a monumental musical achievement!
• Flamenco is based on a combination of an Eastern modal system (known in Arabic as Maqam) and Western harmony. These volumes give you an understanding of the intricacies of Maqam and the harmony its complex tetrachordal combinations generate.
• Every scale, arpeggio and melodic pattern in these books comes with a corresponding guitar fingering, since the guitar is the primary instrument of flamenco. However, the material can be applied to any instrument.
• In addition, this series is a theoretical and practical manual for composers, improvisers, performers, arrangers and musicologists interested in modal music in general, and/or flamenco modalities in particular.

VOLUME 1 - Melodic and Harmonic Aspects of the Seven Basic Modes
• 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)
• In addition, the general rules of left-hand guitar fingerings are established here.
•  In this first volume, the concept of symmetrical permutations is analyzed and explained and three types of symmetrical permutations, with their corresponding guitar fingerings, are presented for the basic modes.
• Every harmonic aspect of the seven basic modes are explained — triads, seventh, ninth and add chords, etc. Arpeggios and various guitar fingerings are given.
• One appendix gives a compendium of 72 licks, or melodic examples/ideas for improvisation, written in each of the basic modes. These licks are harmonized and each come with complete guitar fingerings. In another appendix, phrases are created by inserting various chromatic embellishments into the basic modes, as well as into different types of arpeggios.

Sample Pages
Sample Pages