Harris Intervallistic Concept Pdf — Eddie

Traditional jazz practice often revolves around playing scales up and down (1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8). Harris cuts through this linear thinking. By practicing lines that constantly skip scale degrees, the improviser creates a jagged, unpredictable, and inherently modern melodic shape. 2. Symmetrical and Geometric Moving Patterns

To build total control over the saxophone’s registers, Harris practiced wide intervals that forced rapid embouchure and voicing adjustments.

In an era of AI-generated music and algorithmic streaming, melodies have become increasingly diatonic (safe). Pop music rarely uses leaps larger than a fifth. Rock guitarists are stuck in the pentatonic box.

To combat this, Harris developed a highly structured, mathematical approach to utilizing fourths, fifths, sixths, sevenths, and octaves. This became the basis for his self-published instructional books, most notably Eddie Harris's Intervallistic Concept , which have become legendary underground holy grails for serious jazz instrumentalists. Core Pillars of the Intervallistic Concept eddie harris intervallistic concept pdf

Instead of running scales over a chord, Harris recommended outlining chords using wide intervals. Over a Cmaj7 chord, instead of playing C-D-E-F-G, play the chord tones (C, E, G, B) but connect them with wide intervals. For example: C (jump up a major 7th to) B (jump down a minor 6th to) E (jump up a perfect 4th to) G.

However, Harris’s secret was that he swung the mathematics. He used the concept as a springboard , not a cage. He would play a cycle for two bars, then resolve it into a blues lick.

If you want the real thing, it is widely available for purchase. The physical book is the best way to experience it, as it includes the original layout and notation. Pop music rarely uses leaps larger than a fifth

Traditional jazz education often emphasizes scales (Major, Dorian, Mixolydian) as the foundation of improvisation. Harris argued that while scales provide the "alphabet," intervals provide the "grammar" of melodic construction.

You do not need to wait until you find a rare copy of the book to start integrating Harris's philosophy into your practicing. You can apply his concept right now with these three steps:

The scarcity of Eddie Harris’s original, self-published instructional books has made documents like the Eddie Harris Intervallistic Concept PDF highly coveted items in the underground jazz community. or inflection. Music as Life

Harris wasn’t alone in realizing the power of intervals. John Coltrane's famous "Giant Steps" cycle relies heavily on major thirds. Woody Shaw revolutionized jazz trumpet by incorporating perfect fourth leaps. Eric Dolphy shocked the world with his wide, jagged interval jumps. Studying Harris's system gives you the exact technical blueprint to achieve that avant-garde, angular fluency.

Training the fingers and ears to execute any interval from any note instantly, without relying on muscle-memory shapes of standard scales.

: Harris emphasized that "wrong" notes or chords are actually just issues of connection, progression, or inflection. Music as Life