Bebop Enclosures and Approach Notes: What You Need To Know

Bebop, the innovative jazz style that emerged in the 1940s, is known for its rapid tempos, intricate harmonies, and melodic inventiveness. One of the key ingredients in this musical style is the use of enclosures and approaches. These melodic devices add tension, surprise, and a unique character to your improvised lines, making them essential tools for any aspiring improviser.

In this blog post, we are going to discuss what enclosures and approaches are, how they’re used, and discuss a few of the musicians from the bebop era who made use of these melodic devices in their improvisations.

Enclosures

What Are Enclosures?

Imagine a target note, for example- the 3rd of a chord. An enclosure surrounds this target with either chromatic or diatonic notes, creating a sense of anticipation and resolution before landing on the bullseye. There are two main types:

• Chromatic enclosures: These use notes a half step above and below the target, creating a dramatic, “outside” sound.

• Diatonic enclosures: These utilize notes within the key or scale, adding a smoother, more consonant flavor to your lines.

Let’s break down the concept with an example in the key of C major. If our target note is E, a chromatic enclosure would involve playing D#, F and E. The D# and F serve as approach notes, creating a sense of anticipation before resolving to the target note E.

A diatonic enclosure would playing D and F instead, because these notes are diationic to the key of C.

Ways To Enclose A Note

There are two primary ways to enclose a note: the upper enclosure and the lower enclosure.

1. Upper Enclosure:
   • In an upper enclosure, the musician approaches the target note from a note above it.
   • The sequence typically involves playing a note above the target, followed by the target note itself and sometimes a note below the target to create a complete enclosure.
   • For example, if the target note is C, an upper enclosure might involve playing D, C, and B.
2. Lower Enclosure:
   • In a lower enclosure, the musician approaches the target note from a note below it.
   • Similar to the upper enclosure, the sequence includes a note below the target, followed by the target note and sometimes a note above the target to complete the enclosure.
   • Using the same example with the target note C, a lower enclosure could be B, C, and D.

6 Tips On How To Practice Enclosures

Select Target Notes:

• Choose specific target notes within a chord progression or scale that you want to enclose. In bebop, musicians usually enclose chord tones, but you can enclose any note of a scale.
• Start with simpler targets and gradually progress to more complex ones as you become comfortable with the concept.

Practice Slowly:

• Begin by practicing enclosures at a slow tempo. This allows you to focus on precision and accuracy in your note choices.
• Use a metronome to maintain a steady pace and ensure rhythmic consistency.

Isolate Upper and Lower Enclosures:

• Practice upper and lower enclosures separately to develop proficiency in each approach.
• Create exercises that specifically focus on ascending and descending enclosures.

Apply to Scales and Chord Progressions:

• Integrate enclosures into your scale and chord progression exercises. This helps you apply the concept in a musical context.
• Work on incorporating enclosures into different scales, modes, and arpeggios.

Improvise with Enclosures:

• Gradually move from structured exercises to free-form improvisation.
• Experiment with using enclosures in your solos, emphasizing the target notes within the context of the music.

Transcribe and Analyze:

• Transcribe solos of experienced jazz musicians who use enclosures effectively.
• Analyze how they incorporate enclosures into their improvisations and understand the context in which they apply them.

Approach Notes

What Are Approach Notes?

Bebop approaches are melodic devices used in jazz improvisation to create fluid and expressive lines. These approaches involve chromatic movements leading to a target note, adding complexity and sophistication to the improvised melody.

Ways To Approach Notes

Just like enclosures, approach notes can either be used above the target note or below the target note.

1. Upper Approach:
   • In an upper approach, the musician precedes the target note by playing a note higher in pitch. The upper approach note is usually a chromatic or diatonic step above the target note.
   • This technique adds a sense of anticipation and tension to the melody, creating a smooth ascent to the target note.
   • For example, if the target note is C, an upper approach might involve playing the note D before resolving to C. The sequence would be D (upper approach), C (target note).
2. Lower Approach:
   • In a lower approach, the musician approaches the target note by playing a note lower in pitch. Similar to the upper approach, the lower approach note is often a chromatic or diatonic step below the target note.
   • The lower approach introduces tension as the melody descends to the target note, creating a different kind of melodic contour.
   • Using the same example with the target note C, a lower approach might involve playing the note B before resolving to C. The sequence would be B (lower approach), C (target note).

6 Tips on How To Practice Approach Notes

Here are six tips to help you effectively practice approach notes:

1. Isolate and Drill Specific Approaches:
   • Start by isolating specific types of approaches (chromatic, diatonic, upper, lower) and practice them in isolation. For example, focus on ascending chromatic approaches or lower diatonic approaches. This focused practice will help you develop precision in your execution.
2. Apply Approaches to Scales and Arpeggios:
   • Integrate approach notes into your scale and arpeggio exercises. This helps you connect the theoretical knowledge of scales and chords with the practical application of approach techniques. Work on applying approaches to different scales and arpeggios.
3. Use Approach Notes in Licks and Phrases:
   • Incorporate approach notes into your vocabulary by creating licks and phrases that feature these melodic devices. Experiment with different rhythms, tempos, and articulations to explore the expressive possibilities of approach notes.
4. Practice with Backing Tracks:
   • Use backing tracks in various keys and styles to practice approach notes in a musical context. This will help you develop a sense of how to apply approach notes in real-time improvisation. Focus on integrating approaches seamlessly into your lines as you navigate chord changes.
5. Transcribe Solos with Emphasis on Approaches:
   • Choose jazz solos from your favorite musicians and transcribe them with a specific focus on identifying and understanding how approach notes are used. Analyze the context in which approach notes are applied and try to incorporate similar ideas into your playing.
6. Experiment with Different Target Notes:
   • Practice approach notes with different target notes within a scale or chord. This will broaden your understanding of how approach notes can be applied in various harmonic contexts. Experiment with targeting chord tones, extensions, and alterations to diversify your melodic palette.

Bebop Icons That Used Enclosures and Approaches

Here are five jazz icons who made notable use of enclosures and surrounds, along with examples of songs where these techniques are prominently featured:

1. Charlie Parker:
   • Songs: “Donna Lee,” “Confirmation”
   • Charlie Parker, often referred to as “Bird,” is a pioneer of bebop and a master of using enclosures. Listen to his iconic solos on “Donna Lee” and “Confirmation” to hear how he weaves intricate enclosures throughout his improvisations.
2. Dizzy Gillespie:
   • Song: “Salt Peanuts”
   • Dizzy Gillespie, a trumpeter and bebop innovator, incorporated enclosures and surrounds into his improvisational vocabulary. “Salt Peanuts” is a classic example where Gillespie’s improvisation features these melodic devices.
3. Sonny Rollins:
   • Song: “Oleo”
   • Sonny Rollins, a legendary tenor saxophonist, skillfully incorporates enclosures and surrounds into his solos. “Oleo” is a tune where Rollins demonstrates his command of these melodic devices.
4. John Coltrane:
   • Song: “Giant Steps”
   • John Coltrane, a towering figure in jazz history, utilized enclosures and surrounds in various contexts. While “Giant Steps” is more known for its harmonic complexity, Coltrane’s improvisation in this composition showcases his mastery of melodic embellishments.
5. Wes Montgomery:
   • Song: “Four on Six”
   • Wes Montgomery, a jazz guitarist known for his innovative approach, employed enclosures and surrounds to create captivating solos. “Four on Six” is a classic tune where Montgomery’s melodic prowess, including his use of enclosures, is on full display.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the world of jazz improvisation is a vibrant and ever-evolving realm, and mastering the art of enclosures and approach notes is akin to unlocking a language of expression. Through this blog post, we’ve explored the intricacies of these melodic devices, witnessing how jazz icons have skillfully woven them into the fabric of their improvisations.

As you embark on your journey to integrate enclosures and approach notes into your improvisational vocabulary, remember that practice is the key to progress. Add these melodic devices to your practice routine, using the tips that were mentioned earlier. Listen to the musicians you admire, transcribe their solos, and observe how they seamlessly employ enclosures and approach notes to elevate their improvisations.