Using an Inverted Pedal Point in Improvisation (on "Hyde Street Run")

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An Inverted Pedal Point is when you keep the top note the same while the chords underneath change. But to use an inverted pedal point, we have to find a COMMON TONE between these chords. Here we used "D":

• On Emi7b5 = b7
• On Abma7 = #11
• On Dmi7 = Root
• On Bbma7 = 3rd

Also, here we are using Red Garland Block Chords (RH Octave+2, LH 4-5 Note Voicings), which is a great way to create intensity in your playing. But the other benefit of the Red Garland Block Chords in this context is that it lets us fully hear how the harmony is changing beneath the repeated top note, to allow the inverted pedal to have maximum impact.

Inverted Pedal Points are also a great way to create tension & release - after 7 bars of the inverted pedal, we release in the 8th bar.

This excerpt is from Bijan's solo on "Hyde Street Run" from TrioGram II ft. Joe LaBarbera. To watch the FULL cut, click HERE