EXTEMPORE PLAYING - online tutorial

40 Lessons in how to correctly play improvisations.

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	62                             Extempore Playing
	are moving, or active, tones; and their movement is directed towards the key-chord, as in the following diagram:
	These are the natural tendencies of the scale-tones, namely, the 6th descends the 4th descends, the 7th ascends, the 2nd ascends and descends, on the principle that each tone is attracted to the nearest rest-tone. It will be observed that the seventh gives the strongest inclination, the fourth the next, the sixth is less strong, and the second has an optional movement—it must move, but the direction is not fixed. When each tone of the melody is harmonized by a separate chord, these active steps almost invariably follow their natural tendency; when they do not, it will be in con­sequence of some other influence to be presently explained; e.g.,
	For the present lesson it will be assumed that the natural tendency is in every case to be observed. Further, when the direction of an active step has been decided, it is allowable for it to leap a third in the same direction. This is called a 'narrow leap,' and is in every case possible. Other leaps will be reserved for later consideration. To sum up then, at present we may take (1) Repetitions, on any degree.