The Study of the Triadic Chromatic Approach

This course focuses on the study of atonal or "free" improvisation, over structured harmonic continuity, through the use of triads. The four triad groups are used (major, minor, augmented, and diminished). They are played in random sequences where the concept of any triad over any chord is implemented. This gives the improviser complete harmonic and rhythmic freedom over the flow of traditional chord structures. After the study of triadic freedom with only one half step in between each triad group, the student moves on to the study of George Garzone's RCA (Random Chromatic Approach). This concept restricts the improviser to play chromatically up and down the length of the instrument, without expanding larger than a major third as the widest interval. Once students master the RCA, a combination of the four triad groups is used with the RCA played in between each triad to give the sound a kind of bebop flow. With the four triad groups and the RCA, this sound is placed over the harmonic continuity to cause a random harmonic non-sound, based off of the twelve-tone row.