“Misty” Combining The A & B Sections
Welcome to the 2nd lesson in our beginner exploration of the tune “Misty”.
“Misty” follows an AABA form, meaning the 8-bar A section repeats 3 times with slight variations. In this lesson we play through the 1st and 2nd A sections and then explore the B section – also referred to as ‘the bridge’.
The Repeating A Sections
We start by playing the 1st A section and transition smoothly into the 2nd A section. The A sections are identical except for the final 2 bars where the harmony and melody changes. The final 2 bars of the 2nd A section is used to create a smooth transition into the B section of the tune.
Enhancing the A Section
To add variation to the repeated A sections, we introduce some simple yet effective melodic embellishments. These include minor adjustments to the phrasing and slight changes to the melody using turns and grace notes to add interest and avoid monotony.
Navigating the B Section
The B section introduces different harmony, offering a refreshing contrast to the A sections. The harmony of this section might seem complex at first and so we break down each bar individually and finally combine everything into a full performance.
Related Lessons
We introduce the concept of whole-step 251 drills, and how they can be an interesting alternative to drills around the circle of fifths.
In this lesson we explore how you can navigate over the minor line cliché using bass lines, two-handed chords and left hand voicings.
A seventh chord is a triad which has been extended to include the 7th degree of the scale. This creates a fuller sound than simple 3-note triads.
Practice Tips
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A Section Variations: Play through the 1st and 2nd A sections and notice the slight variations in the final two bars. Aside from the final 2 bars, the harmony and melody in the A sections is identical.
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Add Embellishments: Experiment with the melodic embellishment on the A sections to make your performance more interesting. This is important to add more interest to repeating sections of jazz standards.
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B Section Mastery: Break down the B section into smaller parts and practice each part slowly to understand the harmony and melodic movement which differs from the A sections.
