Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization

Russell believed that dominant function was the driving force behind all harmonic motion. Russell focuses on the Lydian mode because it can be built with fifths. For instance, to construct a C Lydian scale one could list the first seven tones on the circle of fifths starting with C, the desired Lydian Tonic. This process would yield C, G, D, A, E, B, F♯. If these tones are voiced in the space of an octave, they form the Lydian mode (C, D, E, F♯, G, A, B).^[2] Additionally, Russell observed, when these tones are voiced in thirds they form the preferred form of a major 13 (#11) chord.^[3]

Russell builds a prototype chromatic scale starting on the Lydian Tonic by stacking fifths, skipping the interval between the seventh and eighth tones, and placing the skipped tone at the end for having the lowest level of tonal gravity. Using C as the Lydian Tonic yields the following 12-note scale with enharmonic respellings: C, G, D, A, E, B, F♯, G♯, E♭ (D♯), B♭ (A♯), F (E♯), D♭ (C♯). Thus the Lydian Chromatic Scale and all its derivatives contain only Pythagorean intervals.^[4]

Russell posited that tonal gravity emanates from the first seven tones of the Lydian mode. As the player ventures further from the Lydian tonic however (and further up the circle of fifths), the tonal gravity shifts. For example, if notes further up the circle of fifths (e.g. ♯2/♭3) are used, the tonal gravity is probably shifting.^[5]

Russell's theory has had far-reaching effect especially in the realm of modal jazz. Art Farmer said that it "opens the door to countless means of melodic expression"^[6] and critic Joachim-Ernst Berendt described it as "the first work deriving a theory of jazz harmony from the immanent laws of jazz" and as "the pathbreaker for Miles Davis' and John Coltrane's 'modality'".^[7] Bill Evans and Miles Davis used the theory^[8][9] to record modal jazz such as the album Kind of Blue. John Coltrane's modal jazz is usually analyzed using Russell's method.^[10] In arguably his most famous piece, "Giant Steps," Coltrane can be heard traveling through a succession of three parent Lydian Chromatic scales: C Lydian, A♭ Lydian, and E Lydian.^[11] Additionally, many conservatories teach Russell's theory to varying degrees.^[12][13]

• Chord-scale system

• Russell, George (2001) [1953]. "Chapter 1 The Lydian scale: The seminal source of the principal of tonal gravity". George Russell's Lydian chromatic concept of tonal organization. Vol. 1 (Fourth (Second printing, corrected, 2008) ed.). Brookline, Massachusetts: Concept Publishing Company. pp. 1–9. ISBN 0-9703739-0-2.

• George Russell's Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization, in-depth fan website