AB/AC Chorus Form Question
Hi David,
I'm working on a new head for my instrumental as part of your "Improvising" lesson series. I'm thinking that I will use the AB/AC Chorus Form.
I have a 2-bar 'A' lick that I like, so I repeat it to cover the opening four I chords. I transpose (sequence) the lick to the IV chord for bars 5 and 6, and repeat the 'A' lick on bars 7 and 8.
At this point, I'm on the fence - Do I use a V-IV-I / Turnaround combination from the list that you make available in the "Improvising" lesson series? Or, do I sequence the first bar of the 2-bar 'A' lick to the V-chord, and the second bar to the IV chord, then repeat the 'A' lick for a bar and a half, and segue to a quick turnaroud?
Both approaches sound okay to my ear, but I'm wondering how common it is to sequence the 'A' lick across the V and IV chords (and then start the 'A' lick again) to "create" the 'C' part of the AB/AC chorus form?
Thanks! -Dave K.
Hello Dave.
You CAN take your A lick and sequence it to bar 9... it is a valid option. The challenge is to ask yourself if it's too much repetition. Sometimes this approach can sound like you're playing too much of an accompaniment role.
Another option by the way is to play the first half of your two bar lick (bar 1) and sequence it to the V, and then sequence the second bar of the lick to the IV, so you truly get a V-IV-I. This doesn't always work, but something to think about.
P.S., bringing back the A in bars 11 and 12 sounds good. This is always a good to check to see if it sounds good.
In the end, it's all about trying different ideas and seeing which one is your favorite.