JAZZ THEORY MASTERCLASS

Little B's Poem: The Whimsical Modern Waltz of Bobby Hutcherson

' Written for his son, Barry, the tune captures a sense of innocent playfulness and sophisticated, introspective beauty.

Little B's Poem: Inside the Music

Every standard has a story, and Little B's Poem (in key of Fm) is a masterclass in songwriting and a foundational canvas for improvisation. Let's explore its unique approach to Non-functional minor harmony in 3/4 (Jazz Waltz)..

A Musician's Perspective & Background

As one of Hutcherson's most famous and beloved compositions, Little B's Poem represents the peak of the 1960s post-bop 'New Thing' aesthetic. Historically, it bridged the gap between the structured world of hard-bop and the more exploratory, modal, and textural approaches of modern jazz.

Interactive Soloing Laboratory

Use the controls below to visualize key harmonic moments on the fretboard and circle of fifths.

Harmonic Deep-Dive

The harmony of Little B's Poem is characterized by its 'floating' quality.

Fm7 (i)

Intervals: root, b3, 5, b7

Gb7 (bII7)

Intervals: root, 3, 5, b7

Abmaj7 (III)

Intervals: root, 3, 5, 7

Melodic Ideas to Try

The melody is remarkably simple and vocal-like, despite the harmonic complexity beneath it. It consists of long, sustained notes and gentle, undulating gestures that emphasize the 9ths and 11ths of the chords.

The Groove & The Feel

As a 3/4 jazz waltz, Little B's Poem requires a light, 'dancing' pulse. The rhythm section should focus on texture and shading rather than a driving swing.

Improvisation Strategies

Soloing on Little B's Poem requires a 'modal' and 'textural' mindset. Instead of 'playing the changes' in a functional way, focus on the specific 'color' suggested by each chord.

Summary & Takeaways

The primary takeaway is the use of non-functional harmony to create a specific, whimsical atmosphere. It teaches you how to maintain melodic coherence across a non-traditional set of changes.

Master the key of F on Guitar with our complete collection of sheet music bundles. Download the high-resolution PDFs below to practice chords, scales, and arpeggios offline.

F Chords ➔F Scales ➔F Arpeggios ➔