Developing melodic ideas.(Guitar)(www.johnstowell.com)(Brief Article)

Every jazz composer has a different approach to writing. For some, the melody appears first and a chord progression is created after the fact. For others, the process is reversed. I combine both methods. As a guitarist, I write on my instrument, and the chords and melodies of my compositions occur simultaneously--often as an extension of my accompaniment to other melodies or improvised solos.

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For "One City Day", the first three measures in 5/4 are comprised of a simple melody taken from a minor pentatonic scale. The odd meter and voicings make it less predictable. In fact the entire melody is very straightforward and easily singable, …