Developments in jazz 1900-1950 = Bebop

Question 1

Bebop meaning

Answer 1

A style of jazz (developing in 1920’s and 1930’s) focused on large ensemble arrangements and generally intended to be accompaniment to dancing.

Question 2

Melody

Answer 2

Complex melodies
Often borrowed melodies or chord progressions
Harsh, jerky, unattractive
Unison melody statements were the norm because of the inaccessibility of the solos
Players made use of quotes, interpolations from other tunes
Melodic lines were stripped, backgrounds, intros, endings and interludes
Melody lines were scalar

Question 3

Tonality/Harmony

Answer 3

Chromatic notes
Complex harmonic ideas - 7ths, 9ths, 11ths, 13ths, tritone subs etc
Harmony important, equal to melody and rhythm
Complex chords gave soloist broader harmonic base, giving more choices and added chromaticism
Chords to aid improvisation rather than melody
Fast intense, impassioned improvisation was the rule
collective improvisation was only between soloist and rhythm section
More sophisticated scales (modes and bebop scales)

Question 4

Form and Structure

Answer 4

Longer melodic phrases using odd intervals built on extension chords (9ths, 11ths, 13ths)
The break as a structural device regained popularity

Question 5

Texture and Instruments/Voices

Answer 5

A sound instrumental technique was mandatory
Horns
Aimed for a clean, piano-like execution
Players didn’t use vibrato -it got in the way of virtuosity
Piano was the centre of the new expression - small combos 3-6 players
Asymmetric solo construction became fact

Question 6

Rhythm and Metre

Answer 6

Polyrhythms
Syncopation
Rhythm took a backseat to harmony
Fast tempos

Question 7

How do people describe bebop?

Answer 7

The entire language of jazz was questioned, subtracted form, added to, purged and reaffirmed.