Essential Major 7th Melodies

In this masterclass, Michael Palmisano dives into the intriguing world of major seventh chords and how to improvise over them to create distinct sounds. Starting with a brief refresher on stacked triads, Michael explains the two essential sounds associated with major seventh chords, highlighting the major triad (1 3 5) and the minor triad (3 5 7). Through practical examples, such as transitioning from a D major to a D major seven chord, he demonstrates how these chords are constructed and how they can be utilized to enhance musical improvisation. The masterclass serves as an interactive guide, encouraging viewers to explore the harmonic richness of major seventh chords.

Michael further explores the concept of improvisation by introducing simple melodic ways to navigate major seventh chords without relying on complex seven-note scales or modes. He suggests playing the pentatonic scale of the upper triad, using D major seven and F sharp minor as examples, to achieve a "floaty sound." This approach simplifies the improvisation process, allowing musicians to focus on melodic expression rather than scale memorization. Michael’s hands-on demonstrations, including playing over a static loop of D major seven and experimenting with D major and F sharp minor pentatonic scales, provide viewers with clear, actionable steps to practice and incorporate these concepts into their playing.

The masterclass concludes with Michael emphasizing the importance of resolving improvisations to the third of the chord, offering a fresh perspective on creating melodies that highlight the unique character of major seventh chords. By comparing major and minor pentatonic approaches and their effects on the overall sound, he encourages viewers to experiment with these techniques to develop their unique voice on the instrument. Michael's engaging teaching style and practical exercises make this masterclass an invaluable resource for guitarists looking to expand their harmonic vocabulary and improvisational skills.