Dixieland Flashcards
What was Jelly Roll Morton’s band called?
‘Red Hot Peppers’.
What was Louis Armstrong’s band called?
‘Hot seven’.
What is New Orleans polyphony?
Collective improvisation: all frontline players improvise simultaneously to create a polyphonic texture.
Features call and response, counter-melodies, harmonic ‘weaving’ and rhythmic punctuation.
How is the double bass articulated?
Typically in pizzicato, which creates a strong rhythmic and harmonic foundation to the music.
What significant rhythm features are there?
Swing.
Emphasis on the off-beats of the bar.
Syncopation.
What significant performance techniques are used?
Glissandi (typically on the trombone).
Ornamentation (like triplet decorations).
Pizzicato bass.
What instrument did Jelly Roll Morton play?
Piano.
What instruments did Louis Armstrong play?
Cornet, trumpet.
What is the ‘head’?
Theme or melody.
What is the ‘chorus’?
Form of the melody or harmonic sequence used for improvisation.
What is scat?
When a singer improvises in the same way as an instrumentalist and also imitates an instrument.
What was the average size ensemble?
6-7 players.
What featured in the rhythm section?
Drums/percussion, bass, comping instrument(s).
What featured in the frontline section?
Cornet/trumpet, 1/2 reeds, trombone.
What specific percussion instruments were used?
Bass drum, cymbal, woodblocks, bocka da bock.
