Duke Ellington

Question 1

Melody

Answer 1

simple catchy and clear phrases and motifs eg “Satin Doll”

some more complex melody - leaps and chromaticism “Take the “A” Train”

Question 2

Melody - ornamentation

Answer 2

glissandos - clarinet in “The New Black and Tan Fantasy”
pitch bends - eg trumpet in “East St Louis Toodle-oo”
rips - trumpet “Concerto for Cootie”
spills/fall-offs - trombone “Blue Cellophane”

Question 3

harmony

Answer 3

simple harmonies but with extensions and chromatic movement for colourful effect
chord extensions - “Mood Indigo” and “In a Sentimental Mood”
tritone subs - “IASM”

Question 4

tonality

Answer 4

simple major/minor with chromaticism and strong blues
blue notes - “It don’t mean a thing (if it ain’t got that swing)”
Pentatonic and Blues scale - “IASM” and “IDMT”
modulations “IASM”

Question 5

structure

Answer 5

sophisticated - variety of contrasting sections “SLTO”
standard form often - “IASM” & “Take the A Train”
12 bar blues in “The Mooche”
Intros/Outros often by solo piano “Satin Doll”

Question 6

sonority

Answer 6

Rhythm section usually piano, double bass, drums, guitar/banjo
horns - reeds, trumpets, trombones
timbral contrasts between sections - “Take the A Train”
Mutes to alter timbre of brass - end of “T.T.A.T”
Growling and Wah Wah by trumpet - “EastSLTO” and “Concerto for Cootie”
Singers sometimes with band

Question 7

texture

Answer 7

essentially melody and accompaniment but ensemble size provides textural options eg
doubling melody - “TTAT”
melody harmonised - “Mood Indigo”
Melody supported only by rhythm section - “ESLTO” or Horns with accompanying figures “TTAT”
countermelodies create polyphony “Mood Indigo”
Piano solo and rhythm section only textures - “The New Black and Tan Fantasy”

Question 8

texture 2

Answer 8

simple bass lines “ESLTO”
walking bass lines “TTAT”
Piano often sparse “TTAT”
Acapella texture - “Come Sunday”

Question 9

tempo, metre rhythm

Answer 9

swing rhythms for dancing
tempo varies - rarely too fast
push and drag rhythms “Satin Doll”
performers get Rhythmic freedom to alter melodies (“Caravan”)

Question 10

Take the A Train

Answer 10

Mel - complex, larger leaps, chromaticism
Str - standard song form
son - timbral contrasts between ensemble sections
Tex - doubling of melodies due to large ensemble, melody supported by horns, walking bass, sparse piano

Question 11

Satin Doll

Answer 11

mel - simple, catchy, balanced phrases, developing motifs
str -intros and outros by solo piano
TMR - push and drag rhythms used

Question 12

In a Sentimental Mood

Answer 12

har - tritone subs
ton - use of modulations to outline structure
str - standard song form