This video captures a freeform improvisation of mine which I titled Voicing the Inner Frequencies. The title is about the idea of listening to one’s own intuition, gut feelings and inner wisdom; often referred to as an inner voice. Sometimes finding this particular inner voice is a bit like tuning an internal radio frequency. The title also describes the pianistic technique of inner voices or part-playing — in music, “parts” or “voices” are melodic lines. The use of inner voices or part-playing is a form of counterpoint — i.e. multiple simultaneous melodies that are independent with distinct identities, but they harmonise together. In this piece I used part-playing, with some emphasis on inner voices in the right hand, especially during the C Aeolian sections, and with the Aeolian mode being quite dark, this gave the effect of a voice emerging from the shadows. The half-light of the C Mixolydian flat 6 mode, and the brightness of the E flat major helped these voices come to light.
Modes Used, Note Names and Parent Scales
| Mode | Parent Scale | Notes | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| C Aeolian (Natural Minor) | E♭ Major | C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭ | VI — 6th mode of major scale |
| E♭ Major (Ionian) | E♭ Major | E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D | I — 1st mode of major scale |
| C Mixolydian ♭6 | F Melodic Minor | C, D, E, F, G, A♭, B♭ | V — 5th mode of melodic minor scale |
Interval Formulas
- Aeolian: 1 — 2 — ♭3 — 4 — 5 — ♭6 — ♭7
- Major: 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 — 7
- Mixolydian ♭6: 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — ♭6 — ♭7
Learn about the Aeolian mode (natural minor scale) here and the Mixolydian flat 6 mode here. Learn about major scales (Ionian mode) here.
Read more about modes in general: Complete Guide to Modes of the Major, Melodic Minor, and Harmonic Minor Scales
