Falling Grace in Mi

Falling Grace in Mi

Steve Swallow's post-bop composition creates a distinctive harmonic atmosphere through Lydian Dominant color on the major-minor seventh chords, Bebop Major lines on the tonic resolutions, and Dorian warmth over the ii chord passages. The sophisticated harmonic palette reflects Swallow's compositional voice — rooted in the bebop tradition but reaching toward a more open harmonic world. An underplayed gem that rewards careful harmonic study.

Falling Grace in Mi

E major is arguably guitar's most powerful key. The open low E and high E strings ring sympathetically as the root, while the open B provides the fifth. This triple reinforcement gives E-based riffs and chords unmatched depth and volume. E is a beginner-level key on guitar because both the low E and high E strings ring as the root, and the open B is the fifth — three open strings reinforce the tonic chord. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through E to D (descending whole step), D to D# (ascending half step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to C (descending half step), C to B (descending half step), B to A# (descending half step), A# to A (descending half step), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to G# (descending minor third). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from G# to E by major third.

Scales for Improvisation

E major pentatonic works because every note is either a chord tone or a safe passing tone — there are no avoid notes. For soloing, this means you can play freely without clashing. Over dominant seventh chords, E Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.