Unit4+1Characteristics

** Describe the characteristics which make up the style of these two songs. Begin with a birds eye view of the general characteristics of __Jazz.__ ** Generally played by specific instruments- typical jazz ensemble includes: -rhythm section (piano, drums, guitar, bass) -horn section (trumpet, saxophone, trombone) Other instruments included depending on the style and group.

Jazz became extremely popular in the 1920's, which was also known as the 'jazz age'. -jazz in this era became greatly influenced by dance bands -it consisted of having short solos and a syncopated rhythm section.

Jazz often includes solos, often improvised, by particular musicians. Jazz pieces are created through repetitive sections, built on 12 bar blues chords.

jazz is the instrumental version of the blues. !

**then focus down into:**

-Smaller enembles consisting of rhythm section and a small number of individual soloists (trumpet, sax, trombone) -Rhythm section can also play solos. more experimental.
 * Jazz from 1950**

Is rather cool, and laid back, usually due to the amount of wind from the trumpets, and the playing style of the performers, much less quick in tempo as opposed to be bop jazz. Usually smaller ensemlbes as well, similar to a line up from the by gone be bop era. consisting of 1x drummer, 1x bassist, 1x piano player, soemtimes1x-2x saxes, adn the usual 1x trumpet, guitar is sometimes added to the effect. but not all the time. mostly never. playing.
 * Mainstream Cool Jazz.**

- Improvisations are based on individual scales or notes, rather than the overall key of the piece. -Fewer chords used throughout the song, very slow harmonic change rate. -Gives more freedom for melodic improvisation. soloists can play for as long as they want. no body will stop them. **
 * Jazz Improvisation:

-Based on modes rather than chords -Thinking more horizontal and focussed on melody; the soloist must make the melody as interesting as possible. -Chords picked for individual sound, not used for functional harmony, harmony is more complex -Allowed soloists to more creative on their solos. -Less restriction of having to stick to notes of certain chords. - Musician put their own stamp on their solos which made them very individual. - Due to the few chords used, there is a strong sense of tonal centre. An example of this is in "So What". During the 32-bar pattern of the head, the key changes once; the first half of the head is in D Dorian and the second half is in Eb Dorian.
 * Modal Jazz:

-based on modes n that. much focus on melody and scales, modes are greatly accepted. did you know it usually has non-functional harmony? - had heaps more expression and freedom. no longer slaves to the form, man. jazz muso's exploring exploring new possibilities after zee swing era. . more serious. this style of music is for sitting around and listening, being calm, rather different to dancing. **

-used spacing (silent spaces) in his solos -Used no vibrato, a very distinct aspect in Davis' playing -more relaxed style and played in a lower register -The intent of recording of Kind of Blue, was to create a spontaneity that would complement the modal form of the music. - had his own distinctive style as opposed to most other cornet players at that time.**
 * Aspects of Miles Davis' style:


 * Include specific examples of all of the above which can be clearly heard in the two songs you have studied. **