Black and Tan Fantasy, Duke Ellington and his Orch. Blues Flashcards
What is the structure of this piece?
12 bar Introductory chorus , 16 bar sax solo, Chorus 2, Chorus 3, Duke E’s piano solo (chorus 4), Chorus 5, Chorus 6, Coda
Instrumentation?
Reeds: sax and clari
Brass: trumpet and tombone
Rhythm: piano, bass, drum kit
What instrumental technique does the trumpet employ in chorus 2?
The plunger mute is held close to the bell to supress the sound resulting in a ‘growl’
What trumpet technique happens at b34?
plunger mute held away from bell for more open sound
What goes on in the left hand piano part at b54-58?
Stride piano
What is portamento used for?
mimic horse whinney
What kind of texture is predominant?
melody dominated homophony
What contrast is heard at b13-14
contrast of length with chromatic harmony comping on trumpet
What key is the piece in?
Bb minor
What kind of hamrony?
12 bar blues
Where is the tonic major key change?
b13
What harmonic feature is in b13-14?
Augmented 6th chord resolving to Bb
What harmonic feature is at bar 18?
Circle of 5ths progression: G7 C7 F7 Bb
What happens to the chords at b20?
They become shorter: harmonic rhythm shortens
Whats up with the harmonies in chorus 2?
They are slightly modified, e.g. Cm7 chord substitution, we expect F7 here
What happens to chords during DE’s piano solo?
Many more chord substitutions e.g. circle of 5ths progression D7 G7 C7 F7 Bb followed by Bb diminished chord
What kind of chord in b64
9th chord
What key is the coda in?
Bbminor
What cadence does the piece end with?
Plagal cadence
Rhythmic feature in b17-18?
Cross-prasing
What does the coda quote?
A well known Chopin funeral march
Who is the piece a collaboration between?
Duke Ellington and his head trumpeter Bubber Miley
What technique is used in the Sax solo?
Portamento, syncopation blue notes
