In my reading I have come across two things that I would like someone to explain to me a little better.
1. One book I am reading that has a strong modal focus keeps refering to building ones chords/arpeggios so that one avoids the dreaded b9. It gives no explanation. Why is the b9 a note to be avoided?
2. I have read several times that when improvizing we should avoid the 4th other than as an occasional passing note, but what do you do with 11th since it is technically a fourth also? At the same time, I am reading a book that actually promotes building harmony off the fourths (quartal harmony). Isn't that kind of contradictory?
Thanks for any insights.
Marshall
1. One book I am reading that has a strong modal focus keeps refering to building ones chords/arpeggios so that one avoids the dreaded b9. It gives no explanation. Why is the b9 a note to be avoided?
2. I have read several times that when improvizing we should avoid the 4th other than as an occasional passing note, but what do you do with 11th since it is technically a fourth also? At the same time, I am reading a book that actually promotes building harmony off the fourths (quartal harmony). Isn't that kind of contradictory?
Thanks for any insights.
Marshall