Steve's Spinal Column - numero uno

Steve Adelson impromptu jam session with Nydia Mata (perc.), Dean Brown and Ben Lacy - Long Beach Jazz Festival 2004

Playing "sophisticated" extended chords on the Stick is criminally simple. Guitarists stretch and contort their hands to achieve every inversion and voicing available on a six string neck. Here's the outline for the simplicity that allows the Stick player the extended menu of chords. Every large chord can be broken down to smaller triads.

We can break this down to a Gminor triad (GBbD) and a Cminor triad(CEbG). On the Stick we can play the root, Cminor with the left hand in the bass and add the Gminor on the treble side with the right hand simultaneously. The composite will be the desired Cm9.

We can change inversions of either triad to get different voicings. Here's a bonus. If you play Cminor in both hands, the right hand only has to move the same shape 1/4 inch to the right (one string over) or down a fourth to find the Gminor. Simple chemistry, simple visual.

Likewise all the extensions can be found with simple triads.

These can be applied with various textures, and techniques. Arpeggiate the triads, play them in different rhythmic figures, try different triad voicings or inversions. You can use these ideas in a melodic context when improvising.

The chemistry is simple. The Stick allows this and encourages exploration of these not so hidden treasures. Enjoy the riches.