Runs are sequential patterns that progress through scales, modes or arpeggios. These patterns can be numerical.
major scale runs
For example, if each note of a major scale is numbered, like this…
various runs can be developed.
This run starts on the first note of the scale and goes up to the fourth (1,2,3,4). Then starting on the second note it goes up to the fifth note (2,3,4,5).
1,2,3,4,
2,3,4,5,
3,4,5,6,
4,5,6,7
etc.
Here’s another major scale run:
2,1,
3,2,
4,3,
5,4,
6,5
etc.
This run goes up in third intervals.
1,3,
2,4,
3,6,
5,7
etc.
This run progresses in sixth intervals.
1,6,
2,7,
3,8,
4,9
etc.
© Carlos Thrale 2014
