B Section Harmony
In this lesson we examine the harmony of the B section which is also known as the bridge. In the previous lesson we explored the A section of the tune which takes us to bar 16 in the form.
One interesting aspect of this tune is that the harmony remains consistent between the different sections and in fact the whole tune contains very similar chord progressions.
No Modulations
Often when playing jazz standards, we find that the B section contrasts to the A sections and oftentimes we find a modulation where we modulate to a new key for the B section, but that doesn’t happen in the tune ‘The Nearness Of You’.
Lesson Downloads
-
B Section Stride Drills & Voicings File Type: pdf
Related Lessons
In this lesson, we introduce a stride left hand style over the bridge of the tune “In A Sentimental Mood”.
We explore techniques to transition from the 2nd A section into the Bridge and voicing options for the B Section harmony.
We add the B Section to “Georgia” so that we can play the whole tune in its entirety. We also discuss the modulation to the relative minor.
Practice Tips
-
To internalise the chord changes, count through each bar with left hand bass and the 3rds and 7ths in the right hand.
-
Once this is comfortable, play both the bass and the 3rds and 7ths with the left hand to create a basic left hand stride.
-
If you're new to stride style, start with just 1 bar and cycle around. Then add the next few bars, and gradually work up to the full 8 bar section.
-
Remember that the harmony in the B Section contains all of the same components as the A Section which is the 3625 progression, and the 251 to the IV chord.
