Example 29. Table of attributes of the Lopez method “figures” for improvisation

  1. Distinct melodic fragments
    1. May have associated left-hand part
    2. May be constituents (segments) of improvised choruses
  2. Comparable to improvisational formulas
  3. Of varying length, from three beats to several bars
  4. Derived from single chords, often considered momentary tonics
    1. In chord-scale relationships to originating chords
      1. Originating chords may be blued
      2. Blued chords equivalent to blue scales
      3. When derived from blue chord-scales, may reflect blues practice
    2. May function as breaks
  5. May be associated with brief, common chord progressions
    1. May function as breaks or endings
    2. May effect tonicizations with, say, a blue third appearing as a raised fifth of the tonicizing dominant-seventh chord
    3. May be involved in half or full cadences
  6. May refer to the original melodies directly or indirectly
  7. May be constituents of hot choruses, particularly if including blued figures