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[alexhunter]

Ive been trying this recently.....
By studying various classic methods of harmony (keighley, annie warburton etc) Ive come across many rules for four part harmony. These rules may include no consecutive 5ths or consecutive octaves. For example if im playing Cminor 7 using notes C G Bb Eb, and then i go to Fminor 7 using F C Eb Ab, i would be wrong according to the standard rules of harmony as the 5ths and octaves are moving in the same motion (I hope that made sense). Although my ears arent on the level of such masters of harmony I can tell that moving a C minor 7 shape up the same string to F minor 7 sounds a little stodgy.
So this time I'll use the rules. I'll us my first chord consisting of C G Bb Eb and change the way i voice the F minor 7 ie. Eb Ab C F (or barre first fret on top 4strings.)
We can see the way this changes the position of the intervals below
instead of 1 5 b7 b3 1 5 b7 b3 where the interval distances are paralel
C G Bb Eb F C Eb Ab

we've got 1 5 b7 b3 b7 b3 5 1
C G Bb Eb Eb Ab C F where the interval distances are different. This stops chords sounding plain.
But as well as having a better sound we are thinking of chords how we should be, in a totaly harmonic manner. When the masters of Jazz "comp" theyre also improvising. Improvising with chord forms becomes just as satisfying as improvising melodies. I've just started with this stuff but its doing tremendous stuff to my ears. I'd like to get to a point where i can play chords off a lead sheet and play them exactly how i'd want to hear them.
I'm not sure if the books ive got are out of print but I'd recommend are realy dry, boring classical theory book that is very thorough. I've ran through so many hal lenord style books that cater mainly for the limitations that modern guitarists have so therefore use mainly visual approaches. It helps at first if you're the type of player who wants to "get good fast" but it doesnt help you develop as a musician. So I'd suggest that you should practice your harmony and chords with a side helping of classical theory.
Hope this has been atleast any help at all.

[alexhunter]

Am i realy this bad at using message boards????

C F 1 1
G C equals 5 5
Bb Eb b7 b7
Eb Ab b3 b3

whereas

C Eb 1 b7
G Ab equals 5 b3
Bb C b7 5
Eb F b3 1

god im sorry bout this

[Guest]

C F 1 1
G C 5 5
Bb Eb b7 b7
Eb Ab b3 b3

whereas

C Eb 1 b7
G Ab 5 b3
Bb C b7 5
Eb F b3 1


next time i'll use the preview button