Suspended Reality
The title for this Groovz comes from the suspended feel of the progression. The G sus chord is obvious, and the C minor 7 over G sounds also like it wants to resolve.
This is also a great example of a simple progression that you can easily overthink. After all, the C–7 has two flats that the G sus doesn’t have (even though the suspension avoids the third so you can make it major or minor). So how can you weave melodically through both in order to craft a coherent solo?
Well, the answer is to STOP THINKING ABOUT THE CHORDS! As with each of these Groovz, listen to the back and forth of the harmony and hear the melodic possibilities. Play through the idea starter below to warm up your ear, and remember: there are no wrong notes, only unintended ones!
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 second time to expand the image.
Listen to Michael Lake improvise briefly over the track…
