Jazz 713z5k

The features and forms of jazz song

1

Form

• Like African music, jazz form is cyclic, each cycle being defined rhythmically and harmonically. Each cycle is called a chorus. Type of song form: AABA, this type of song has an opening section (A), a bridge (B) before transitioning to the final A section. This song form is used in a variety of music genres including pop, gospel and jazz. The classic AABA song form can be illustrated as such: A: 8 bars A: 8 bars B: 8 bars A: 8 bars

“Longer” by Dan Fogelberg • Longer than there've been fishes in the ocean Higher than any bird ever flew Longer than there've been stars up in the heavens I've been in love with you. Stronger than any mountain cathedral Truer than any tree ever grew Deeper than any forest primeval I am in love with you. I'll bring fire in the winters

• A-A-B-A-B-A • The second bridge may either be lyrically the same or different than the first bridge, at times it can also be an instrumental part. • The last A section may also be a repeat of an earlier verse or an entirely new verse that gives the song a sense of completion.

• AABABA song form: “Longer” • First A: Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean • Second A: Stronger than any mountain cathedral. • B Section: I’ll bring fires in the winters • Third A: Through the years as the fire starts to mellow. • B Section: Instrumental • Final A: Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean (repeats the first A section)

2

Blues form

• Poetic form: three-line asymmetric stanza (AAB) with each line consisting of two vocal measures (call) followed by two instrumental measures (response), to make a twelve measure chorus.

Blues form also have an emotional impact on the tune which it can be played in different rhythmic grooves and tempos. The example of fast blues are “ It’s All Right, Baby” and “Big Joe” by Turner and Pete Johnson). An example of modern jazz blues is “Now’s the Time” (by Charlie Parker).

"Roll 'Em Pete" was written by Johnson, Pete K. H. / Turner, Joe. • Well, I got a gal, she lives up on the hill Well, I got a gal, she lives up on the hill Well, this woman's tryin' to quit me, Lord, but I love her still • She's got eyes like diamonds, they shine like Klondike gold She's got eyes like diamonds, they shine like Klondike gold Every time she loves me, she sends my mellow soul • Well, you're so beautiful, you've got to die someday Well, you're so beautiful, you've got to die someday All I want's a little loving, just before you away • Pretty baby, I'm goin' away and leave you by yourself Pretty baby, I'm goin' away and leave you by yourself You've mistreated me, now you can mistreat somebody else.

“Now’s the Time” by Charlie Parker •

Verse I ------Come reminisce with me and think about the Bird.

everything he did and all the things you heard. Now, don't it just amaze ya, get ya down inside... To think of how he had to live and then the way he died. Life was so unkind, 'cause now would have been his time....now was his time.

Verse II ------I never thought he'd be so awfully close to me.

Until I heard his message and it helped to set me free. It made me want to linger, want to hang around. For a better understanding of his different kind of sound. Back in '42, Bird came to New York and he blew, my but he blew...

3

Syncopation

• Syncopation : to feel syncopation say “ oneand two-and three-and four-and” clapping on each number. • Then say it again and clap on the “and”. Do you notice how the beats feel different?

4

Improvisation

• When the chord pattern and other essential points are written down in advance which the players improvise, this is called a head arrangement. Breaks are improvised solo improvisations. Every instrumentalist gets a turn at playing a break. Eg: Check out the drums in particular in Dave Brubeck’s Take Five (MIDI)

5

Jazz instruments

• Piano, drums, clarinet, trumpet and double bass are the standard instruments in a Jazz combo. • The bass is plucked instead of bowed, the cymbals are tickled with brushes and the trumpet is blown very hard. • Jazz performers also very achieve distinctive sound by bending the pitch into a note, sliding from one pitch to another, letting the pitch fall off at its release. • They also use different types of vibrato which they add an ornamental ending over a long note at the end of a piece.

Drum

Clarinet

Double bass

Trumpet

Piano

6

Texture

i) Refers to the way melody and harmony are balanced. ii) There are three types of texture iii) The homophonic texture: usually melody and harmony are in separate layers. Sometimes in a single layer: block harmony occurs when two or more instruments play the same phrase with the same rhythm but with different pitches filling out the harmony often in the context of solo.

6

Texture

iv) Monophonic texture: rare in jazz but found in early jazz “breaks”, where a musician plays while the rest of the band is silent (usually two bars) or can be used to begin or end a piece. v) Polyphonic texture: two or more simultaneous melodies of equal interest, heard in New Orleans jazz. Eg: big bands, avant-garde jazz