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Rule of the Octave

The “Rule of the Octave” (RO) is a series of mostly 3-note chords that comes from Partimento (a very deep study of bass-lines and the recipes of intervals above). It can be used as an improvisation tool, a composition tool, an educational tool, and probably in many other ways.

So, what is “RO”?

How the Rule of the Octave (RO) is built from a single-note scale (to create a kind of “chord scale”), and then some examples of movement up and down RO.

C-B-C or 1-7-1

Moving from C-B-C, or 1-7-1, is like a seesaw motion to get used to these first two scale degrees, and how they complement each other.

C-B, B-C or 1-7, 7-1

Seesaw-ing from C-B, B-C, or 1-7, 7-1. This stuff makes more sense when you physically do it.

C-D-C or 1-2-1

Moving from C-D-C, or 1-2-1, is similar to the previous seesaw motion 1-7-1.

C-D, D-C or 1-2, 2-1

Moving from C-D, D-C, or 1-2, 2-1 (similar to 1-7, 7-1).

Gravity

Feeling the pull from 2-1 and 7-1 — a sense of gravity towards the center of the key.

Extending 1 (or C)

A simple way to organize 3 shapes around the 1 chords for more options. Each group of shapes needs 4 strings, so we have 3 sets of these.

Shapes around 1

3 shapes around the 1 chords, to a metronome.

Extending 2 (or D)

3 shapes around the 2 chords for more options.

Shapes around 2

3 shapes around the 2 chords, to a metronome.

Extending 7 (or B)

3 shapes around the 7 chords for more options.

Shapes around 7

3 shapes around the 7 chords, to a metronome.

Extending 1 minor (or C minor)

3 shapes around the 1min chords.

Shapes around 1 minor

3 shapes around the 1min chords, to a metronome.

The Coolest Thing!

Using 2 and 7 to tonicize anything you want :)