Introduction

In this lesson, we'll learn how a pattern is described and how to apply it over all key signatures in a particular order specified by the rising stack interval.

Stacking

Before you can stack a pattern, you need to define one, then using a rising stack, the pattern will cross multiple key signatures. The rising stack is define using any of the twelve available intervals. There is one rising stack pattern you're already familiar with, it's called the circle of fifths. The pattern is the western major scale rising through the key signatures at fifth interval locations. 

The concept of a rising stack can be applied to any pattern rising at any interval location. In the previous lesson, we had a minor third (1 -3) rising at the minor third position, a major third pattern (1 3) rising at the major third position, we also saw a minor-major pattern ( 1 -3 5 ) rising at the fifth position.

Here is an example of stacking two minor thirds with a major third ( 1 -3 -5 -7).

Melodic Interval Series: Minor 3 - Minor 3 - Major 3 (Each interval is reference from the previous interval)

Harmonic Interval Series: 1 -3 -5 -7 (Each interval is reference from the root 1) 

This pattern is also the chord Cm7b5, a half diminished chord stacked at the minor seventh position. Where have we encountered this chord before? It's the chord associated with the Locrian mode of the western major scale. Take the first four notes and flatten each note and you'll see you have the Locrian in the key of C. What key signature do the first four notes in the diagram represent? Hit, locate the root and you will know the answer.

• If the Locrian root is located at the note Bb, this would be in the key of B. 

• If the Locrian root is located at the note Ab, this would be in the key of A.

• If the Locrian root is located at the note Gb, this would be in the key of G.

• If the Locrian root is located at the note E, this would be in the key of F.

• You may continue over all twelve notes of the octave.

If you know the Locrian in the key of C, observe the root note of the key signature is a semi-tone above the root note of the Locrian mode. Once you know this information, you can apply it to any Locrian starting on any note and find it's key signature almost instantly. 

Another way to describe this pattern is Locrian R-2 R4 R+5

To describe the pattern in terms of how it will be applied to an improvisation is shown below. No you're not going to remember a mathematics formula before you start playing the piano. The formula describe a repeating pattern your able to apply up to twelve revolutions on the keyboard. You'll be using your ear and visual memory. The following represents a modal pattern definition. 

P RH=(-7)Cdim Locrian R-2 R4 R+5 > -7

• P Indicates pattern.

• RH Is a right hand pattern, you can also have LF

• (-7) Indicates a rising stack and the interval may be any of the twelve intervals.

• C is the root of the pattern and the starting note.

• Locrian The mode of the pattern, this may be any of the seven modes.

• R-2 R4 R+5 The modal operations which together with the mode define the patterns character.

• > How the pattern is to be played, may also be < or ><  or <>

• -7 This is the upper limit where the pattern is to be played, it has no relation to the (-7). This may be any of the twelve intervals.

A rising stack modal pattern definition may be extracted into finger placement exercises.

C > RT1 I-3 M-5 P-7

Bb > RT1 I-3 M-5 P-7

Ab > RT1 I-3 M-5 P-7

Gb > RT1 I-3 M-5 P-7

Eb > RT1 I-3 M-5 P-7