As noted by Bonnie C. Wade, "jazz, which is generally characterized by improvisation...is a set of chord of chord changes"(pg 136). This brings us to the structure of jazz which can be broad. Two large formations of jazz instrumentation would be combos and big bands which will be discussed as well as the importance of improvisation.
Is Improvisation Composing?
The most crucial reason we use structure is to give music meaning, transforming it from random chords and rhythms to something that is full of emotion and of importance. It is the framework on which the fundamentals of music are hung. It is a way to organize sound in a intensional and inspirational way.In jazz music, improvisation is a key feature. A common definition is the process of making up music “on the fly”, or during a performance. However, Wade describes it more specifically as “a compositional process in which a musician exercises relatively great flexibility with given material during a performance” (pg 135). This contradicts the preconceived notion that improvisation is just a musician doing “whatever they want”. In reality, a musician is composing on the spot based off of some predetermined material. Usually in jazz it is some type of chord progression, like 12 bar blues.
Another great distinction is that a lot of improvisation is practiced in advance. A common practice in the study of jazz is learning a large collection of “licks” or musical quotes that can then be arranged almost automatically from memory during an improvisational solo. Jazz music ahas a long history of learning and stealing musical ideas from other artists. Therefore making improv resemble composition than most people assume. The artist is making a careful selection of musical ideas in order to fit the needs of the particular tune they are performing.
The biggest difference between improvisation and composition is the amount of time you have to do it. Where as a composer might rewrite a phrase hundreds of times, an improviser writes as he goes and can judge the music instantly based off of the reaction of the audience.
Big Band Structure
Jazz, in my firm believe, wouldn't be jazz without the big bands. From the 1920s, big bands dominated western pop culture. They remained apart of mainstream culture even until the 1950s when rock and roll became a staple of the American musical diet. Big bands typically consisted of saxophone, trumpet, trombone and rhythm sections sections. Often, there were singers who would accompany the band. Other instruments, such as the clarinet, frequently were associated with big band acts. Leaders of bands included Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and many more. However, big bands could often have different structures but some were quite common. One of which would be rhythm changes — the chord progression to “I Got Rhythm”.
“I Got Rhythm” sung by Ethel Merman,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4hI-xhGZug
Here is an example of it:
Many songs used this structure, such as Duke Ellington’s “Cotton Tail.” Often, many pieces would have the same chord progressions as others.
A popular big band chart, “How High The Moon” has the same progression as “Ornithology” by Charlie Parker. Though different songs, they do share quite a lot.
Below is Count Basie playing “How High the Moon”
This below is Charlie Parker preforming “Ornithology”
However, during a piece, solo and soli parts are often written in. A great deal of “Sing Sing Sing” by Benny Goodman are solos. Often, solos are able to make a song last longer and thus less songs have to be preformed. Big Bands are often played as dance music and having solos can really make a song last like in “Sing Sing Sing”. Below is the piece, and listen for the extensive solos by multiple instruments.
Jazz Combos
So beginning with basic Jazz structure, most Jazz is built on a predetermined set of chords, which accompanies the melody. When you play through these set of predetermined chords once, it is called a chorus. The main structure of Jazz combo is the repetition of these choruses with something different in each one. The first chorus has the main melody, or the head, which is actually written in. In the next how many choruses, however long the current soloist decides to take, will play their solo. When the current soloist is finished, they will taper and signal for the next performer, who wants a go at a solo, to begin their solo. They will keep doing this until everyone who wanted to do a solo had a chance to. The audience will applaud after each solo to acknowledge them, but to also acknowledge what they just improvised. When all the solos are finished, the band will play the first chorus, or the head, again. For groups of about 10 or more, music is written out to keep the band organized. There is just so many members that it will be really difficult to let everybody have a solo. A way that Jazz combo is described is like a sandwich. You have the bread at both ends, but in the middle is all the different ingredients.
Overall, Jazz has many different structures that can make each song style unique. However, they're in many ways alike. Styles are often transitioned from on group to another but can have the similar or even same structure as one another. In the end, there is much that can be discussed, but an ending must come.
Tasks
Chase
- Blog Builder
- Big Band Section
- Intro and Conclusion
Jonna
- Proof Reader
- Improv Section
Kailee
- Combo Section
- Bibliography
Bibliography
OnlyJazzHQ. "Benny Goodman - Sing Sing Sing." YouTube. YouTube, 05 Feb. 2013. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.
JazzBreakTV. "Count Basie - April In Paris." YouTube. YouTube, 04 Feb. 2012. Web. 17 Oct. 2016.
Budoroom. "Count Basie :How High The Moon." YouTube. YouTube, 24 Oct. 2010. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.
TheHellzapoppin. "Duke Ellington - Cotton Tail." YouTube. YouTube, 01 Aug. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.
Ashtonjoliet. "Ethel Merman Sings I Got Rhythm 1956." YouTube. YouTube, 14 June 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.
Jalcjazzacademy. "Exploring Improvisation in Jazz." YouTube. YouTube, 06 Oct. 2015. Web. 17 Oct. 2016.
Petethomasmusic. "I Got Rhythm Chord Changes." Taming The Saxophone. N.p., 2013. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.
"Musical Elements." Jazz in America. N.p., 16 Oct. 2016. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.
Pvelectric. "ORNITHOLOGY 1- CHARLIE PARKER." YouTube. YouTube, 21 Jan. 2010. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.
Jalcjazzacademy. "Jazz Fundamentals: What Is Improvisation?" YouTube. YouTube, 22 Feb. 2015. Web. 17 Oct. 2016.
Wade, Bonnie C. Thinking Musically: Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture. New York: Oxford UP, 2009. Print.
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