Exploring Inner Voice Movement in Jazz Piano

Welcome to this seminar on inner voice movement, a powerful technique to add depth, character, and fluidity to your jazz piano playing. Inner voice movement refers to subtle shifts within a chord structure that create smooth transitions and rich harmonic textures.

In this lesson, we will analyze inner voice movement through four jazz standards:

• "Autumn Leaves"
• "You Don’t Know What Love Is"
• "Corcovado"
• "Embraceable You"

Each piece presents unique applications of this concept, from simple voice-leading techniques to more sophisticated harmonic embellishments.

Understanding Inner Voice Movement

Inner voices are the notes that move within a chord voicing of chord progression, often while the melody note remains static. These movements enhance harmonic motion and can be used to connect chords and chord progressions together with interesting internal movements.

A very basic example of inner voice movement is a 2-5-1 progression where the 7th of the ii chord resolves a half step down to the 3rd of the V chord. The 7th of the V chord then resolves a half step down to the 3rd of the I chord.

Expanding on this basic concept, we explore chromatic inner voices, suspended chords, and descending or ascending inner lines to add richness and additional movement to our chord progressions.

Inner Voice Techniques in "Autumn Leaves"

"Autumn Leaves" serves as an introductory piece for applying inner voice movement. We begin with a 251 progression in Bb Major, focusing on how the 7th of C-7 falls to the 3rd of F7 and then the 7th of F7 falls to the 3rd of Bbmaj7. We then enhance this basic movement with the following techniques:

• Adding a b9 to the dominant chord F7 by creating an inner voice from the 5th of C-7 that moves chromatically downward to target the b9 of the F7 chord.
• Using 10th intervals in the left hand to provide a stable harmonic foundation while freeing the right hand for inner voice movement and targeting the ‘color tones’.
• We also explore how adjusting the 5th of major chords can introduce subtle inner voice motion within our voicings at the point of resolution in the chord progression.

Expanding Inner Voice Use in "You Don’t Know What Love Is"

This ballad demonstrates how inner voices can be explicitly written into chord symbols. A key feature of this song is the F-7 to F-maj7 movement, where the minor 7th of the chord moves up chromatically to the major 7th.

Other techniques include:

• Inner voice movement under static melody notes, allowing the harmony to create movement and interest underneath a sustained melodic tones.
• Descending chromatic lines within a dominant chord, often targeting the b9s and #9s and adding tension before resolution.
• Again utilizing 5 to #5 to 6 movement over major chords to create harmonic interest at the point of resolution.

Advanced Inner Voice Application in "Corcovado"

Antonio Carlos Jobim’s "Corcovado" is a bossa nova masterpiece filled with intricate inner voice motion. This piece highlights:

• Minor 7 to minor-major 7 movements, which add a lush and expressive element to the harmony.
• Dominant 13th chords with altered extensions, where chromatic passing tones within the chord create interesting moving lines.
• Harmonic motion within the same chord structure, where subtle inner voice shifts prevent harmonic stagnation.

A signature technique is the E7(13-#9) to A7(#5b9) progression, where the melody remains static while the inner voices descend chromatically.

Practice Tips

1. Identify static melody notes – Inner voices work well when the melody is held, allowing for harmonic movement beneath.
2. Experiment with chromatic passing tones – Moving inner voices by a half step adds subtle tension and resolution.
3. Use inner voice movement in progressions – Memorise the formulas for inner voices in 251 progressions. See the course on ‘whole step 251 drills’ for more information.
4. Apply inner voices in both hands – Playing the movement in both hands creates a fuller, more connected sound.
5. Analyze recordings of great jazz pianists – Listen to Bill Evans and Antonio Carlos Jobim to hear these techniques in action.

Final Thoughts

Mastering inner voice movement enhances your ability to create compelling and fluid jazz piano arrangements. Whether you’re working with simple voice-leading techniques or advanced chromatic alterations, incorporating inner voices will add expressiveness and sophistication to your playing.

Be sure to check out the related lessons and PDF resources for detailed transcriptions and exercises. Happy practicing, and enjoy discovering the depth of inner voice movement in jazz piano!