Black and Tan Fantasy, Duke Ellington and his Orch. Blues

Question 1

What is the structure of this piece?

Answer 1

12 bar Introductory chorus , 16 bar sax solo, Chorus 2, Chorus 3, Duke E’s piano solo (chorus 4), Chorus 5, Chorus 6, Coda

Question 2

Instrumentation?

Answer 2

Reeds: sax and clari
Brass: trumpet and tombone
Rhythm: piano, bass, drum kit

Question 3

What instrumental technique does the trumpet employ in chorus 2?

Answer 3

The plunger mute is held close to the bell to supress the sound resulting in a ‘growl’

Question 4

What trumpet technique happens at b34?

Answer 4

plunger mute held away from bell for more open sound

Question 5

What goes on in the left hand piano part at b54-58?

Answer 5

Stride piano

Question 6

What is portamento used for?

Answer 6

mimic horse whinney

Question 7

What kind of texture is predominant?

Answer 7

melody dominated homophony

Question 8

What contrast is heard at b13-14

Answer 8

contrast of length with chromatic harmony comping on trumpet

Question 9

What key is the piece in?

Answer 9

Bb minor

Question 10

What kind of hamrony?

Answer 10

12 bar blues

Question 11

Where is the tonic major key change?

Answer 11

b13

Question 12

What harmonic feature is in b13-14?

Answer 12

Augmented 6th chord resolving to Bb

Question 13

What harmonic feature is at bar 18?

Answer 13

Circle of 5ths progression: G7 C7 F7 Bb

Question 14

What happens to the chords at b20?

Answer 14

They become shorter: harmonic rhythm shortens

Question 15

Whats up with the harmonies in chorus 2?

Answer 15

They are slightly modified, e.g. Cm7 chord substitution, we expect F7 here

Question 16

What happens to chords during DE’s piano solo?

Answer 16

Many more chord substitutions e.g. circle of 5ths progression D7 G7 C7 F7 Bb followed by Bb diminished chord

Question 17

What kind of chord in b64

Answer 17

9th chord

Question 18

What key is the coda in?

Answer 18

Bbminor

Question 19

What cadence does the piece end with?

Answer 19

Plagal cadence

Question 20

Rhythmic feature in b17-18?

Answer 20

Cross-prasing

Question 21

What does the coda quote?

Answer 21

A well known Chopin funeral march

Question 22

Who is the piece a collaboration between?

Answer 22

Duke Ellington and his head trumpeter Bubber Miley

Question 23

What technique is used in the Sax solo?

Answer 23

Portamento, syncopation blue notes