When you incorporate wide intervals into your playing, your musicality undergoes an immediate shift. 1. Breaking the "Scalar Chain"
Harris argued that if you can measure the distance between any two notes (an interval) and apply that pattern cyclically across the chromatic scale (all 12 tones), you will eventually hit every note in Western music. This creates a "non-tonal" or "pan-tonal" line that sounds incredibly complex but is generated by a simple, child-like arithmetic formula.
The next time you are practicing a 2-5-1 chord progression, forbid yourself from playing any step-wise scale lines. Force yourself to improvise using only perfect fourths and minor sevenths.
Huge interval leaps require sudden changes in air velocity; maintain a steady, pressurized stream of air.
However, Harris’s legacy is built on a foundation of remarkable achievements. He was the first jazz artist to sell over a million copies of a single, achieving gold status with his soulful 1961 adaptation of the Exodus movie theme, Exodus to Jazz . He was also a master composer, penning the jazz standard Freedom Jazz Dance , famously recorded by Miles Davis in 1966, and the funky hit Listen Here . A 1986 Chicago Tribune review captured the essence of his genius, describing him as "a monster" whose "harmonic ideas are unique–the byproduct of a self-invented system that Harris calls the 'Intervalistic Harmonic Scale.'" It is this very system, this unique approach to musical structure, that he codified into his masterwork, The Intervallistic Concept . eddie harris intervallistic concept pdf
Harris's Intervallic Concept is evident in many of his compositions and improvisations. A prime example is his iconic recording of "Sankarumba," which showcases his mastery of intervallic relationships and melodic contour. Other notable examples include "Charging/Discharging" and "Minced Meat," which demonstrate his use of symmetrical and asymmetrical patterns.
: Deep dives into syncopation and complex rhythmic sequences.
: Melodic patterns built on skips and leaps rather than scalar steps.
Eddie Harris’s intervallistic approach paved the way for future generations of players—such as Michael Brecker, Woody Shaw, and contemporary avant-garde saxophonists—who utilized wide intervals to create a piercing, unpredictable sonic footprint. Mastering these concepts transforms your playing from a predictable walk up a scale into an exciting, high-wire architectural balancing act. When you incorporate wide intervals into your playing,
Intervallistic Concept By Eddie Harris - Jamey Aebersold Jazz
Whether you play saxophone, trumpet, guitar, or piano, the Intervallistic Concept is universal. Here is how to apply it without the PDF using Harris’s logic:
If you look through transcripts or study guides associated with Harris's method, the exercises are highly systematic. They are designed to be practiced in every key, moving chromatically or around the cycle of fourths. 1. The Fourth Factor
When musicians discuss jazz saxophone innovators of the 20th century, names like John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, and Ornette Coleman dominate the conversation. However, few players revolutionized the technical and sonic boundaries of the instrument quite like Eddie Harris. This creates a "non-tonal" or "pan-tonal" line that
For those seeking supplementary materials, resources like Johnny Lippiett's website offer worksheets on symmetrical scales and triad pairs that align with Harris's forward-thinking approach. Where to Find the Materials
Because these books were printed in limited quantities directly by Harris’s company (Hargrove Music), physical copies are incredibly rare and expensive collectors' items today. The digital PDF format has become the underground currency for modern jazz players seeking to study his exact exercises.
Eddie loved to leap up a minor 9th (or a flat 9), then resolve down a half step.