Chapters 7-9 Flashcards
What was the single most popular style of music in American history?
Big band swing
When was the big band swing/jazz era?
1930-1945
Typical wind section of big band:
5 trumpets, 4 saxophones, and 4 trombones.
Typical rhythm section of a big band:
Piano, string bass, guitar, drumset
Optional in big band:
1-5 vocals, 5-20 strings.
Typical big band lyrics were:
“Fun,” romantic.
Big band had what two new positions?
Composer and arranger
Why was big band complex?
It was 80% composed, 20% improv, because the bands were so big, they had to be more organized.
How did the big band era begin and end?
It began with the Great Depression and ended with WWII.
How was big band heard?
It was for dance/entertainment, and was heard via live performance, live radio, radio, records, movies.
Who was William “Count” Basie?
Count Basie was a band leader and pianist, used swing feel, excellent improv, and both sweet and avant garde music. Big band era.
What is walking bass?
A bass line played on every beat
What is a drum kick?
When the drum accents the melody?
What is a drum fill?
When the band stops playing and the drums have a very short solo.
What musical era did rapping come from?
Big band era
Who was Benny Goodman?
The “King of Swing,” Goodman was band leader and clarinet player with a high level of musicality. Played sweet music, broke band segregation. Big Band era.
Who was Glenn Miller?
Band leader and trombone player, most popular musician of the big band era. Sweet music, used more vocals and visuals. Died in 1944 in a big military cover-up.
When were jukeboxes primarily in use?
1930s-1960s
Who were the Andrew sisters?
A vocal trio from the Big Band WWII era, who volunteered and made movies for the military.
Who was Ella Fitzgerald?
A singer from the big band WWII Era known for her ultra high quality singing, able to break glass, and scat sing.
Who was Billie Holiday?
Singer from the WWII Big Band era who had a delicate sound, sung lots of ballads.
When did Big Band end and why?
1945, due to WWII
When was there no predominant popular style?
1945-1955
When was The Bop era?
1945-1950
Why was bop unpopular?
Because of a recording strike, and it’s sudden introduction, and it’s art style that was not danceable
What was bop?
Small ensemble, ABA (20% composed, 80% improv), no vocals.
Who was Charlie Parker?
Sax player and composer from the bop era known as “Bird,” he was a top improviser.
Who was Dizzy Gillespie?
Trumpet player, band leader and composer from the bop era.
When was the cool jazz era?
1950-1955
What was cool jazz?
Art music, very controlled, mellow, mix of jazz and classical due to the GI bill. Medium ensemble, alternating composed and improv. Odd meters.
What two new techs came out during the cool jazz era?
Long plane records and fm radio stations allowed for longer songs.
Who was Miles Davis?
Trumpet player, band leader and composer from the cool jazz era, was always finding new styles and was anti audience.
Who was Dave Brubeck?
Pianist and band leader from the cool jazz era, used lots of odd meters.
