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Avoid note

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Avoid note In jazz theory, an avoid note is a scale degree considered especially dissonant relative to the harmony implied by the root chord, and is thus better avoided. In major-key tonality the avoid note is the fourth diatonic scale step, or 11th, which is a minor ninth above the 3rd of the chord, and thus very harsh.[] In melody it is usually avoided, treated as a "scale approach note"[] or passing note,[] or sharpened. It is not available in harmony. The available tensions for a dominant seventh chord are 9, ♯11, and 13.[] In minor harmony the sixth scale step is usually avoided, and the 13th is not regarded as an available tension.[] The flat 13th lies a minor ninth above the fifth; however the reasons for avoiding it may lie more in avoiding subversion of the harmony by supplying the root of the major chord a third lower, e.g., altering Cm7 to A♭maj7/9.[citation needed] In modal terms, the available scale steps of the mode (or available tensions for the chords) of the diatonic scale steps are those a whole step above the chord tones, and the avoid notes are those that are not. The only exception is the Dorian mode of the second scale degree, where the sixth is avoided although it is a whole step above the fifth; this is because the tritone between this and the third scale step would give an unwanted dominant flavour.[] Taking C major as an example, the avoid notes are:[]

Avoid notes for modes of the major scale Scale degree Chord

Mode

Avoid note

Available tensions

1

Cmaj7 Ionian

Fourth scale step, F

9, 13

2

Dm7

Dorian

Sixth scale step, B

9, 11

3

Em7

Phrygian

Second and sixth scale steps, F and C 11

4

Fmaj7 Lydian

5

G7

Mixolydian Fourth scale step, C

9, 13

6

Am7

Aeolian

Sixth scale step, F

9, 11

7

Bø7

Locrian

Second scale step, C

11, ♭13

No avoid note

9, ♯11, 13

In his modal approach to minor harmony Haerle[] does not use the term avoid note, but discusses "intolerably dissonant" notes and how they should be resolved. For the melodic minor scale he gives these:

Avoid notes for modes of the melodic minor scale Scale degree Chord

Mode

Avoid note

Available tensions

1

CmΔ

Ionian, ♭3

No avoid note

9, 11, 13

2

Dm7

Dorian, ♭2

Second scale step, E♭

11, 13

3

E♭augΔ Lydian-augmented Sixth scale step, C

9, ♯11

4

F7

Lydian, ♭7

No avoid note

9, ♯11, 13

5

G7

Mixolydian, ♭6

Either the fifth or sixth scale step, D or E♭ 9, 11

6

Am7/♭5 Locrian, ♯2

No avoid note

9, 11, ♭13

7

Bm7/♭5 Super Locrian

No avoid note

(usually played as altered dominant)

Avoid note

References

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Article Sources and Contributors

Article Sources and Contributors Avoid note  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=529587571  Contributors: Andycjp, Anthony Appleyard, Bearcat, Carlco, Chris Capoccia, Hyacinth, Jafeluv, Justlettersandnumbers, Mahlerlover1, Mscuthbert, Rich Farmbrough, Vegaswikian, 11 anonymous edits

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