Take the A Train

Summary

Jazz is a rich and intricate musical language, and mastering its harmony and improvisational techniques requires both theoretical knowledge and practical application. In this course, we explore the harmonic and melodic structure of “Take The A Train” composed by Billy Strayhorn, to provide a detailed understanding of jazz chord progressions, melody architecture, and improvisation strategies. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced musician, this guide will help sharpen your ear training, deepen your harmonic awareness, and enhance your improvisational creativity.

Understanding the Composition and Its Form

The Composer and Historical Context

“Take The A Train” was composed by Billy Strayhorn, a close collaborator of Duke Ellington. Their lifelong partnership resulted in a shared musical identity, often making it difficult to distinguish between their individual contributions. This tune borrows harmonic material from another jazz standard, “Exactly Like You” which reflects the practice of using the harmony of an existing song in jazz composition.

Key and Form

The piece is set in a major key, specifically C major for the analysis, and follows the classic 32-bar AABA form. This form is fundamental in jazz standards, providing a familiar framework for both composition and improvisation. Understanding the form is essential to grasping the harmonic movement and phrasing within the tune.

Harmonic Analysis: Chord Progressions and Relationships

Basic Chord Structure

The tonic chord in “Take The A Train” is a C6, which can be interpreted as a major 6 or major 7 chord depending on the improvisational context. The harmony is enriched by secondary dominants and altered chords, such as the D7 with a sharp 11, which is a dominant chord built on the second degree but altered to add tension.

Secondary Dominants and Their Role

Secondary dominants are crucial in jazz harmony for creating forward motion and resolution. For example, C7 acts as a V7 of F∆ (the four chord), leading to a classic II-V-I progression. Recognizing these chord functions rather than just their names helps musicians internalize common harmonic progressions that appear across many jazz standards.

Practical Application: Playing in Different Keys

One effective way to deepen harmonic understanding is to transpose these progressions into various keys, even challenging ones like G♭ major. This exercise trains your mind to focus on the relationships between chords instead of getting bogged down by complex chord names.

Bass Lines and Ear Training: Foundation for Improvisation

The Importance of the Bass Line

A strong bass line anchors the harmonic structure and guides the soloist’s improvisation. Practicing bass lines with a metronome, starting with whole notes and progressing to quarter-note walking bass, builds your rhythmic accuracy and harmonic awareness.

Using Passing Tones

Incorporating diatonic (inside the scale) and chromatic (outside the scale) passing tones adds melodic interest and fluidity to bass lines. For example, chromatic motion between chord tones creates smooth transitions and enriches the harmonic texture without clashing with the melody.

Practical Tips for Bass Practice

• Start by playing the root notes of chords in time with a metronome.
• Progress to using chord tones (1, 3, 5) and include passing tones.
• Experiment with chromatic passing tones to add flavor.
• Practice walking bass lines to internalize common jazz rhythmic feels.

Melodic Architecture: The Skeleton of the Melody

Targeting Important Notes

The melody often emphasizes chord tones, especially on strong beats (beats 1 and 3). In “Take The A Train”, the melody’s downbeats highlight chord tones like the 5th, 3rd, and 7th, creating a compelling melodic contour that aligns with the harmony.

Motif Development and Transposition

A powerful way to practice is to extract small melodic motives from the tune and transpose them through all twelve keys. This exercise enhances your technical ability, ear training, and understanding of melodic relationships within different tonal centers.

Chord Scales and Parent Scales: The Source of Jazz Harmony

Defining Parent and Chord Scales

Each chord can be associated with a parent scale from which chord tones and tensions are derived. The primary parent scales in jazz are major, natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales.

Example: D7♯11 Chord Scale

The D7 with a sharp 11 chord is derived from the A melodic minor scale starting on D. This scale contains the sharp 11 tension (G♯), which enriches the dominant sound without resolving immediately, adding harmonic color.

Practical Approach to Scale Application

• Identify the parent scale of each chord in a progression.
• Practice improvising using chord tones and appropriate tensions derived from these scales.
• Understand that dominant chords are typically related to Mixolydian modes or their alterations.

Four Levels of Jazz Improvisation: Building Complexity and Creativity

Level 1: Triad-Based Improvisation

Starting with triads (three-note chords), improvisers develop musical discourse with limited notes. This foundational level emphasizes clarity and harmonic coherence.

Level 2: Tetrads

Adding passing tones between triad notes increases melodic interest while maintaining harmonic clarity. This level introduces the 7th of the chords, increasing melodic interest while maintaining harmonic clarity. 

Level 3: Chord scales

Expanding to chord scales, this level introduces smoother transitions between chord changes without the complexity of chromatic passing tones.

Level 4: Bebop Vocabulary and Chromaticism

At the advanced level, improvisers incorporate bebop vocabulary characterized by chromatic passing tones, altered extensions, and complex rhythmic phrasing. This style demands strong technical skill and deep harmonic understanding.

Essential Jazz Techniques Demonstrated in “Take the A Train”

Voice Leading and Anticipation

Smooth voice leading between chord tones, such as moving from G to F♯ or B to C, creates a seamless melodic flow. Anticipation, or playing notes slightly ahead of the beat, adds rhythmic interest and swing feel.

Use of Line Clichés

Line clichés are common melodic patterns that outline chord changes. For example, descending lines that include chromatic approach notes add sophistication and familiarity to solos.

Applying Tritone Substitution

Tritone substitution replaces a dominant chord with another dominant chord a tritone away, adding harmonic tension and surprise. In “Take The A Train” G7 is occasionally substituted to enrich the harmonic palette.

Practical Exercises and Practice Tips

Memorization and Visualization

Memorize harmonic progressions by understanding relationships (e.g., II-V-I) rather than individual chord names. Visualize chords and hear their colors internally to strengthen aural skills.

Scale and Motive Practice

Practice transposing melodic motives and scales through all twelve keys. Use cycle of fourths or fifths for systematic practice.

Rhythmic Development

Focus on rhythm by practicing with a metronome, varying note durations from whole notes to eighth and sixteenth notes. Develop a swinging, steady pulse essential for jazz.

Conclusion: Integrating Theory and Practice for Jazz Mastery

Mastering jazz harmony and improvisation is a journey that combines deep theoretical understanding with disciplined practice. By studying jazz standards like “Take The A Train” musicians can uncover the building blocks of jazz language—from chord progressions and bass lines to melodic architecture and bebop phrasing.

The key to progress lies in breaking down complex material into manageable concepts: understanding chord functions, practicing bass lines and melodies with passing tones, exploring parent scales, and gradually increasing improvisational complexity. With consistent effort, these skills will become second nature, enabling you to express yourself freely and creatively in the jazz idiom.

FAQ

Q1: What is a secondary dominant and why is it important?
A secondary dominant is a dominant chord that temporarily tonicizes a chord other than the tonic, creating tension and drive towards resolution. It enriches harmonic movement in jazz.

Q2: How do passing tones enhance bass lines?
Passing tones, whether diatonic or chromatic, connect chord tones smoothly, adding melodic interest and forward motion without disrupting the harmony.

Q3: Why practice improvisation starting with triads?
Starting with triads helps develop a clear harmonic foundation and melodic coherence, making it easier to add complexity later.

Q4: What are the  most common parent scales used in jazz improvisation?
Major, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales form the basis of chord scales, offering chord tones and tensions for improvisation.

This comprehensive guide equips you with the insights and practical tools to master jazz harmony and improvisation using classic repertoire. Dive into the harmonic richness of “Take The A Train” and elevate your jazz musicianship today!