Four note group
title: "Four note group" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["jazz-techniques", "musical-techniques"] topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_note_group" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
In music, four note group patterns, alternately called "four-note digital patterns" or simply "four note patterns", are one of many ways to formulate improvised solos in jazz. "Four-Note Grouping is an improvisation technique that uses major and minor triads along with specific passing notes as a means of generating lines. The concept of Four-Note Groupings lets the lines be more 'out' and stretch the possibility of available notes over a chord due to the structural integrity of the triad-based line."
Four note group devices
- Diatonic scale fragment
- Arpeggio (of current chord, altered harmony or an implied passing chord)
- Chromatic approach note (a note preceding a chord tone or scale tone one semitone above or below)
- Chromatic surround notes (two notes preceding a chord tone one semitone above and below)
- Pentatonic scale fragment
Examples
- John Coltrane: "Giant Steps" solo
Sources
References
- Coker, Jerry. "Elements of the Jazz Language for the Developing Improvisor". Alfred Music.
- [http://www.vicfirth.com/artists/video/saindon/fournotegroupingspart1.pdf "Four Note Groupings Part 1"], ''EdSaindon.com'' (351 KB [[Portable Document Format. PDF]]) - Ed Saindon. Caps in original.
- Levine, Mark. "The Jazz Theory Book". Sher Music Co..
- Porter, Lewis. "John Coltrane: His Life and Music". The University of Michigan Press.
- Porter, Lewis. "John Coltrane: His Life and Music". The University of Michigan Press.
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