Target and Approach Tones: Book

This book solves a real teaching problem: students who can play changes often sound generic or lost because they don't understand how to build phrases that breathe with the harmonic movement. Riposo's framework of target and approach tones gives intermediate and advanced players a concrete compositional strategy rather than telling them to "just listen to records." The concept is immediately applicable to any improviser, regardless of instrument.

Like suddenly understanding the grammar beneath the music you've been trying to imitate. Your solos gain forward momentum and coherence; listeners hear intention and musicality instead of note-spinning.

Intermediate and advanced jazz students on any instrument who have learned to play chord changes but whose solos feel disjointed or lack direction. This is essential material for anyone serious about improvisation who wants to sound intentional rather than random.

• Sing or play the approach tone to its target tone over a looped chord change before attempting full phrases. Isolation builds muscle memory and ear recognition.
• Listen closely to how your target tone lands rhythmically relative to the chord change. The same note sounds different if it arrives on beat one versus the "and" of three.
• Map target tones across a tune's changes first, then sketch approach patterns. This reverse engineering builds understanding before adding complexity.

Assign this to jazz ensemble members during a unit on improvisation, ideally before solo chairs are determined. The concepts apply across all tempos and styles, making it valuable for both small group and full ensemble contexts.

• Identifying and constructing approach tone patterns (whole step and half step approaches)
• Recognizing target tones within harmonic progressions
• Creating forward motion and tension-release within improvisations
• Connecting melodic phrasing to underlying chord changes
• Developing harmonic awareness through voice leading