Title:
I Loves You Porgy - modal version

Description:
I did this version as a contrast to my first I Loves You Porgy post, which can be found at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKme90czc8o The first Porgy was done in the key of F major. This version was played in G major. I think the overtone series in G major is more open and more accommodative of this style. I recently had a conversation with Lot2Learn and Volvoxburger about different approaches to music theory and how it is applied in real time. This piece references that conversation. The first version was laid out using chord progressions to create arcs of tension and resolution. Consonance and dissonance are used to create this dynamic. There is a hierarchy of intervals that is used where some are considered harmonious, others are considered to be dissonant. In this version of Porgy, I did away with chords per se, and thought about the structure of the piece as a series of modes. Most of the modes have seven different notes. I do my best to only play notes within the mode (one of the 7 notes of the modal scale), and I try to make no value judgment as to which intervals are more or less harmonic . All intervals are treated as if they are equally pleasing to the ear. I didn't do this completely and I use a fair amount of major voicings, but I did try to move in that direction. I don't know if it will come across on the audio on youtube, but I made liberal use of the pedal, which is unusual for me. I am trying to stretch and emphasis the overtones of the piano as an effect. I try to repedal decisively between mode changes so it doesn't sound sloppy, but I let the pedal linger as long as I am in the same mode. All of this analysis flies out the window when I am playing, but I did think about it before and after I played the piece.

Author:
7notemode

Tags:
Bill, Evans, GarageBand, Gershwin, Jarret, jazz, Keith, Loves, Nina, piano, Porgy, Roland, Simone, solo, Steinway, Synthogy, Yamaha, You,