In this video you can hear me play a piece of music which I improvised and named Jewels Reside in the Shadows. It is a metaphor for the idea that often the most valuable, beautiful and meaningful things in life are unseen or overlooked. Sometimes finding the hidden truths and insight requires us to look into the shadows; enabling a discovery of untapped potential.
In this improvisation I started in G Phrygian Dominant — the Phrygian flattened 2nd degree gives it that shadowed darkness and mystery, while the classic progression of two adjacent major chords (I and ♭II) provides the bright glint and majesty of the jewels.
Within the Phrygian Dominant sections I also used an Andalusian cadence several times, which you can learn more about here: A Swirl of Mist — Improvisation in A Phrygian, A Dorian ♭2, A Phrygian Dominant & B♭ Ionian Augmented
The Andalusian cadence provided more of that dark mystery, melancholy in its descent, and paradoxical glimmers of light in its major quality chords.
A modulation into B flat Lydian sharp 2 introduced a piercing gleam of light in its Lydian raised 4th, like the sparkle of the jewels; while the harmonic minor augmented 2nd structure retained the shadowed mystery.
A return to G Phrygian Dominant for the coda created tension in its unresolved finish, with simultaneous weighty shade and hopeful light, like the idea of discovering untapped potential.
Modes Used, Notes Names and Parent Scales
| Mode Used | Note Names | Parent Scale | Modal Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| G Phrygian Dominant | G, A♭, B, C, D, E♭, F | C Harmonic Minor | 5th Mode of Harmonic Minor |
| B♭ Lydian ♯2 | B♭, C♯, D, E, F, G, A | D Harmonic Minor | 6th Mode of Harmonic Minor |
Intervals Formulas List
- G Phrygian Dominant: 1 – ♭2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – ♭6 – ♭7
- B♭ Lydian ♯2: 1 – ♯2 – 3 – ♯4 – 5 – 6 – 7
Further Reading and Listening
Learn more about modes here: Complete Guide to Modes of the Major, Melodic Minor, and Harmonic Minor Scales
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