Lydian Chromatic Concept Description
What Is the Lydian Chromatic Concept?
George Russell’s Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization has been called the most significant musical development of the twentieth century.
The Lydian Chromatic Concept is a system or theory of tonal organization that is easily applied to all styles of western music. Based on the basic principles that govern melodic and harmonic behavior, the Concept provides for a clearer understanding of these musical elements. With all of the tonal resources organized into one system and put at their disposal, the musician is freed to focus his or her energies on the creative process.
The cornerstone of the Concept is a force that Russell refers to as tonal gravity. Tonal gravity is described as an energy that manifests through the interval of a perfect fifth. Whenever a perfect fifth is played, the lower note of the interval tends to sound as the tonic of the interval. Whenever a series or ladder of perfect fifths is sounded, the lower-most fifth of the series sounds as the tonic of the series. Being organized in this way, all of the tones are in agreement as to which tone is the tonic.
The Lydian scale is derived from a ladder of seven perfect fifths. The Lydian chromatic scale is derived from a ladder of twelve perfect fifths.
Tonal gravity grades all of the notes in a Lydian scale by means of their close or distant relationship to the center of tonal gravity – the lower-most fifth that sounds as the tonic as established by tonal gravity. Tonal gravity is active not only in scale creation, but also underlies the ways that melody and harmony behave! In other words, melody and harmony both have modes of behavior directly tied to tonal gravity.
Since 1953, when it was first published, the 'Concept' has become a major influence on many jazz greats, such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Art Farmer, Ornette Coleman, David Baker, and others. It is a clear and complete method that allows the musician to focus his/her energy on the creative process and can be applied to composition, improvisation, and musical analysis.
Tales Of The Void
Who Is the Concept For?
The Lydian Chromatic Concept is suitable for any musician, instrumentalist, or composer—from amateur to advanced professional. It is also perfectly adaptable to any and all styles and genres of music including jazz, classical, rock, hip-hop, folk, and others. The only requirement is a basic knowledge of chords and scales.
The Concept is not a jazz method but a music method. And because its focus is on the underlying principles that govern melody, harmony, and rhythm, it is ideal for musicians interested in composing, improvising, or for the study and analysis of existing music of any period.
It is also compatible with the musician’s prior musical training. With its basis in tonal gravity, the Concept reinforces and expands upon existing music theories without being overly complicated.
Who Is the Concept For?
The Lydian Chromatic Concept is suitable for any musician, instrumentalist, or composer—from amateur to advanced professional. It is also perfectly adaptable to any and all styles and genres of music including jazz, classical, rock, hip-hop, folk, and others. The only requirement is a basic knowledge of chords and scales.
The Concept is not a jazz method but a music method. And because its focus is on the underlying principles that govern melody, harmony, and rhythm, it is ideal for musicians interested in composing, improvising, or for the study and analysis of existing music of any period.
It is also compatible with the musician’s prior musical training. With its basis in tonal gravity, the Concept reinforces and expands upon existing music theories without being overly complicated.
