Transcript
How to Listen to Jazz
Chapter 2
Open Your Ears!
Listen to the soloist
Hum the melody to yourself while listening
Listen for the mood of the solo
Imagine layers of sound, one on top of another, all moving forward in time: each instrument, a different sound
How Do Musicians Keep Their Place While Improvising?
The musicians agree on tempo, key, and progression of accompanying chords
They follow standard forms
Blues progression
A-A-B-A: Four-section form consisting of theme (repeated once), bridge, return of the original theme, solos on this form, and then theme to wrap it up.
Instrument Roles
Accompaniment section
Bass line
Main role: Keep time
Usually plucks one string per beat
Piano
Plays chords to support the soloist
Comping
Syncopated commentary to the soloist
Provides both harmony and rhythm
Drums
Keep time
Kick and prod the soloist
Control the loudness, texture, and mood of a combo’s performance
Are Solo Improvisations
Completely Original?
An improviser’s lines are not totally original in each and every performance
Beginners advised to collect favorite “licks” or “riffs”
Many jazz musicians play themes or lines they have experimented with before
A musician may play a musical “quote” from another musician’s recording, a pop tune, or a classical melody
Although every line may not be original, the way in which they are put together generally is
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How to Listen to Jazz
Chapter 2
Open Your Ears!
Listen to the soloist
Hum the melody to yourself while listening
Listen for the mood of the solo
Imagine layers of sound, one on top of another, all moving forward in time: each instrument, a different sound
How Do Musicians Keep Their Place While Improvising?
The musicians agree on tempo, key, and progression of accompanying chords
They follow standard forms
Blues progression
A-A-B-A: Four-section form consisting of theme (repeated once), bridge, return of the original theme, solos on this form, and then theme to wrap it up.
Instrument Roles
Accompaniment section
Bass line
Main role: Keep time
Usually plucks one string per beat
Piano
Plays chords to support the soloist
Comping
Syncopated commentary to the soloist
Provides both harmony and rhythm
Drums
Keep time
Kick and prod the soloist
Control the loudness, texture, and mood of a combo’s performance
Are Solo Improvisations
Completely Original?
An improviser’s lines are not totally original in each and every performance
Beginners advised to collect favorite “licks” or “riffs”
Many jazz musicians play themes or lines they have experimented with before
A musician may play a musical “quote” from another musician’s recording, a pop tune, or a classical melody
Although every line may not be original, the way in which they are put together generally is
How to Listen to Jazz
Chapter 2
Open Your Ears!
Listen to the soloist
Hum the melody to yourself while listening
Listen for the mood of the solo
Imagine layers of sound, one on top of another, all moving forward in time: each instrument, a different sound
How Do Musicians Keep Their Place While Improvising?
The musicians agree on tempo, key, and progression of accompanying chords
They follow standard forms
Blues progression
A-A-B-A: Four-section form consisting of theme (repeated once), bridge, return of the original theme, solos on this form, and then theme to wrap it up.
Instrument Roles
Accompaniment section
Bass line
Main role: Keep time
Usually plucks one string per beat
Piano
Plays chords to support the soloist
Comping
Syncopated commentary to the soloist
Provides both harmony and rhythm
Drums
Keep time
Kick and prod the soloist
Control the loudness, texture, and mood of a combo’s performance
Are Solo Improvisations
Completely Original?
An improviser’s lines are not totally original in each and every performance
Beginners advised to collect favorite “licks” or “riffs”
Many jazz musicians play themes or lines they have experimented with before
A musician may play a musical “quote” from another musician’s recording, a pop tune, or a classical melody
Although every line may not be original, the way in which they are put together generally is
