Symmetry
Another interesting way to create inner logic is by the use of symmetry, or "tonic
systems". We can divide our 12-tone octave the following ways:
- Tritone: the octave divided in half
- Augmented Triad: ... into thirds
- Diminished 7th Chord: ... into fourths
- Whole-Tone Scale: ... into sixths
- Chromatic Scale: ... into twelfths
Now these tonic systems are fascinating to study all on their own. Among other
things, they are a cool way to superimpose keys... essentially, to play in more than
one key at the same time. A lot more can be said about them. But not
now.
For our
Low-
Rent purposes, we could move a motif, a lick, a finger-pattern, a scale fragment,
or even a
chord through the system. The symmetry of the system itself provides a certain
inner
logic: the pattern is moving by equally spaced intervals. Also, when we do this, we
can always wind up back in our "home key".
Exercise 4: Back to the funk groove again. Lock in. Now, take a lick, motif,
pattern etc. and move it through a tonic system. For example:
Play a line in E, repeat it in Bb, repeat it in E.
Try the above again with some variation or development of the original line.
Now do the same thing with an augmented triad: start in E, now G#, then C, back
to E.
Try these again using a finger-pattern.
Now try these using a diminished 7th chord: E, G, Bb, Db.
Guess what now? Can you think of other things to do?
One thing you might consider is how many potential "roots" the tonic system you're
using has. For instance, there are three potential "key centers" in an augmented
triad. This might affect the sort of pattern or phrasing you use if you want to
end in your home-key on the downbeat of a given bar. It just might. Have fun.
