Opening The Doors of Chords: The Parable of The Sound Rooms

When it comes to soloing, many  bassists tend to get stuck "noodling" around the root note. Unlike pianists or horn players who can quickly explore the upper structures of chords, we bassists are often bound to the low end. 

While this is an essential part of our role as groove-makers, it can be a disadvantage when it's our turn to step into the spotlight. 

Without understanding harmony, without the ability to move effortlessly into the upper structures of chords, it can feel like we're wandering the halls of a building without a key to unlock any of the rooms.

To illustrate this and connect to it in a more emotional way, I'd like to try something...I've put it in the form of a story...a "parable", if you will:

The Parable of The Sound Rooms

In the heart of the city, a large building stands as a musical sanctuary. As the sun sets and shadows stretch across the streets, you feel a magnetic pull toward the entrance.

As you enter the building, a symphony of diverse sounds surrounds you, weaving through the air like a spell. The building pulsates with creative energy, and an air of excitement propels you through its hallways.

Wandering around, you hear lively celebrations in the different rooms. In these “Sound Rooms” the beauty of major 9th chords, the allure of minor 11th chords, and the tension of altered dominants echo from behind closed doors. The music beckons, each room an invitation to a raucous harmonic party.

But the doors are closed to you…

You realize that your knowledge of harmony is the key, the missing piece that will unlock the doors to these captivating Sound Rooms and the lush sonic landscapes inside.

Determined, you embark on a journey of musical enlightenment. Mentors become guides through the harmonic maze, and your playing starts to resonate with the complexities of 9ths, 11ths, and #5s. Each practice session becomes a step closer to unlocking the doors of harmonic understanding.

Now, with newfound confidence, you approach the door of one of the sound rooms. You turn the knob. The door swings open, revealing the amazing space within, illuminated by the chakra of the chord you’ve just unlocked.

The room explodes with a cascade of sounds, each instrument contributing to a harmonic masterpiece. The musicians nod in recognition, acknowledging your arrival to this world of technicolor harmony.

The magic of harmony unfolds, not just as a set of chords but as a language connecting souls. As your lines intertwine with the ensemble, the building echoes with the beauty of extended harmonies, a testament to the intricate connections woven between you and your fellow musicians.

And so, within this haven of harmony, you continue to explore, learn, and contribute to the ever-evolving symphony of the sound rooms, forever grateful for the transformative journey that led you from wandering the dark halls to the radiant celebrations within, where every chord tells a story of color, depth, and musical kinship.

Thanks fo reading! I hope this inspires you to unlock the doors of chords, and expand your knowledge of harmony!