Billie's Blues

Question 1

Who wrote Billie’s Blues?

Answer 1

Billie Holiday

Question 2

How many bars does each progression have and what type of progression is it?

Answer 2

12 bar blues progression

Question 3

What is the tempo of the song?

Answer 3

Slow blues tempo

Question 4

What’s the time signature of Billie’s Blues?

Answer 4

4/4 or common time

Question 5

What instrument starts off the piece?

Answer 5

A walking bass w/ arpeggiated notes

Question 6

Who improvises on chorus/verse 5 and on what instrument?

Answer 6

Bunny Berigan on the trumpet

Question 7

Who improvises on the 4th chorus and on what instrument?

Answer 7

Artie Shaw on the clarinet

Question 8

What is the rhyme scheme of the song?

Answer 8

AAB rhyme (first two are the same while the third is different)

Question 9

How many choruses are there in total?

Answer 9

6, including the intro

Question 10

What harmony repeats itself over each chorus?

Answer 10

12 bar blues harmony repeats itself over each chorus

Question 11

What is happening to the trumpet in this piece?

Answer 11

the trumpet uses pitch inflections, blue notes, scoops, and bent notes