I Remember Clifford in Mi

I Remember Clifford in Mi

Benny Golson's tribute to Clifford Brown is a deeply expressive ballad that invites Bebop Major lyricism on the tonic, Dorian warmth on the minor ii chords, and Altered scale tension on the dominant chords that resolve to emotional release. The elegy-like quality demands a singing tone and long, arching melodic phrases that honor the spirit of Brown's trumpet sound. One of the most emotionally demanding ballads in the jazz canon.

I Remember Clifford 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 C# (descending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to E (ascending minor third), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D# (ascending half step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to F# (descending whole step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The root motion by larger intervals (fourths and fifths) gives each chord change a strong, decisive character. When the progression loops, the bass returns from F# to E by whole step.

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.