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MELODIC VOICINGS 2
Closed & open Blocks
ALBERTO BETANCOURT (albetan)

CLOSED BLOCKS
Under melody note we add three chord notes. Then we have closed blocks. Melody works in blocks, producing a fat sound. A simple triad must be converted in a complete four notes chord by adding a seventh or a sixth or a ninth.

A melody note is harmonized by three chord notes downwards. When melody note is out of chord, harmonize it as if it were next chord note downwards. Or comp that foreign note with a diminished chord that contains it, although bass note do not correspond. Or comp that foreign note with a passing chord, although bass note do not correspond.
So melody sounds in harmonic blocks of four voices. When we speak about harmonic blocks in melodic voicings, we are refering to right hand.

EXAMPLE: All the things you are:

EXERCISE: Harmonize all diatonic scales in blocks.

Practice ascending and descending block scales in all keys. EXERCISE: Play in blocks:

Play in blocks at sight, and when You get it, compare with solution. Add a rhytmic bass with left hand.

8 SOLUTION:

EXERCISE: Play your favorite slow pieces in blocks style.

OPEN BLOCKS
If we transpose second voice to an octave downwards, we have open blocks. So right hand plays first, third and fourth voices. Left plays second voice transposed one octave downwards, and bass line. Then we have a five voices arrangement with a more fat sound. EXERCISE: Play ONE NOTE SAMBA in open blocks. Work over simple melody in precedent page, and compare with solution. Play it directly without writing anything.

9 SOLUTION: (Bass may be or rhythmic as here, or melodic, or silent)

EXERCISE: Between your favorite songs search for easy and slow melodies to harmonize them in this way. If You write an arrangement for strings or brass or saxes in this way, sounds very fat as a big orchestra. it