Subsurface Silence

Subsurface Silence is a modern groove feel that allows for a lot of freedom for your improvisation. This is one of those Groovz where you don’t run your usual licks. Listen to the track and play what you feel. No need to impress. I think my brief improvisation demonstrates that kind of simplicity.

While the track is made from two major chords, I did insert a couple of chord substitutions that flow very nicely with those two basic chords. Don’t think of them as transitions of keys because they are not. They are there to help break up the sameness of the rhythm track.

I’ve provided the two major scales that correspond to the two chords, but consider the lydian mode for the raised fourth step. In other words, play B natural over the F major 7 and F# over the C major 7. Notice I’ve provided the B natural in the Common Tones collection because it’s a nice color over both chords.

The concert notation is below. Click here for Bb instruments and here for Eb instruments. Once open on a desktop computer, click the pop-up and a second time to expand the image.

Subsurface Silence

Rhythm Track

Listen to Michael Lake improvise briefly over the track…

Subsurface Silence

ML Solo

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