exam Flashcards
What are the formal characteristics of swing?
Based on Tin Pan Alley and blues, typically a bass choir, based on call-and-response techniques.
The era provided professional success for young black musicians and set high standards in musicianship.
Name key artists associated with the swing era.
- Billie Holiday (1915–1959)
- Teddy Wilson (1912–1986)
- Coleman Hawkins (1904–1969)
- Roy Eldridge (1911–1989)
- Lester Young (1909–1959)
Each artist significantly contributed to the development of jazz during the swing era.
What is the historical significance of rural blues?
Rural blues is a folk tradition from first-generation blacks post-abolition, preceding vaudeville blues.
It reflects the social realities and experiences of African Americans in the early 20th century.
What distinguishes vaudeville blues from rural blues?
Vaudeville blues emerged in the early 1900s, synthesizing rural blues with tin pan alley practices, such as standardized forms and fixed authorship.
It involved professional musicians on the Toba circuit.
Identify some formal characteristics of blues.
- Sung by women
- Use of blue notes
- 12-bar form
- AAB lyrical structure
- Call and response between vocals and instrumental fills
These elements contribute to the unique sound and structure of blues music.
What are key stylistic innovations introduced by Miles Davis?
Focused more on melodic feel rather than technique.
Contributed to cool jazz, hard bop, free jazz, and fusion, marking key stylistic innovations in jazz.
What is the defining characteristic of stride piano?
Stride piano is defined by the left-hand motion that alternates a bass note with a mid-range chord, creating a two-beat, ragtime-derived feel.
This style emerged in Harlem and is known for its improvisational nature.
How does bebop relate to swing?
Bebop emerged as a reaction to the commercialization of swing amid social and economic tensions and features small combos with complex solos.
It marked a shift from the larger swing bands to more intimate settings.
List key artists in the bebop movement.
- Dizzy Gillespie (1917–1993)
- Charlie Parker (1920–1955)
- Bud Powell (1924–1966)
- Thelonious Monk (1917–1982)
These artists were instrumental in defining the bebop style and pushing jazz forward.
What is a characteristic of bebop melodies?
Bebop melodies are angular and dissonant, featuring extensive use of contrafacts and heightened harmonic dissonance.
This complexity distinguishes bebop from earlier jazz styles.
Fill in the blank: The left-hand motion in stride piano alternates a bass note with a _______.
[mid-range chord]
True or False: Vaudeville blues was characterized by its informal, traditional performance style.
False
Vaudeville blues was more formalized, involving professional musicians and standardized practices.
What is the significance of the Fordist economy to the development of blues?
The Fordist economy supported a new urban working class, creating new markets through race records and radio.
This economic environment allowed blues to reach a wider audience.
What impact did the swing era have on black musicians?
It raised the status of young black musicians, providing professional success and setting high standards in musicianship.
This era was pivotal in improving the visibility and recognition of black artists.
Identify a significant recording associated with early jazz.
‘Dippermouth Blues’ by Joe Oliver
This recording is an important example of early jazz and showcases the style of the time.
What is the role of improvisation in stride piano?
Stride pianists are more improvisational than earlier ragtime performers, using a more active right hand.
This allows for greater expression and creativity in their performances.
What are the commonalities between rural blues and vaudeville blues?
Both forms address real-life issues and share a focus on narrative storytelling through music.
They reflect the experiences and struggles of African Americans.
Fill in the blank: Bebop is characterized by _______ and harmonic complexity.
[rhythmic]
What was a key event in Miles Davis’ career in 1949?
Formation of the Miles Davis nonet, a foundational statement for cool jazz.
This group was noted for its understated dynamics and classical influence.
What is a distinguishing feature of hard bop?
Hard bop incorporates blues and gospel influences in its style.
This genre emerged as a response to the cool jazz movement.
True or False: Thelonious Monk was a self-taught musician.
True
Monk’s unique approach to harmony and improvisation was developed independently.
What is the significance of ‘Strange Fruit’ performed by Billie Holiday?
‘Strange Fruit’ addresses serious social issues such as racism and violence.
It is recognized as a poignant protest song in American music history.
What were some Kansas City innovations to swing?
Introduced a more flowing sound of “groove” into big band swing, and there was also less influence via Tin Pan Alley and more use of blues “riffs.”
What genre is ‘Dippermouth Blues’ associated with?
Early jazz
Performed by Joe Oliver
Who is the artist of ‘Black Bottom Stomp’?
Jelly Roll Morton
This piece is part of the early jazz genre
Fill in the blank: ‘Cake Walking Babies from Home’ is performed by _______ and Louis Armstrong.
Sidney Bechet
This song is categorized under early jazz
Which artist performed ‘Potato Head Blues’?
Louis Armstrong
This piece is from the early jazz genre
Identify the genre of ‘Wrappin’ it Up’.
Swing
Performed by Fletcher Henderson
What is the title of the song performed by Duke Ellington that is part of the swing genre?
‘Ko-ko’
This is a notable piece in the swing category
Fill in the blank: ‘I Wished on the Moon’ is performed by Teddy Wilson and _______.
Billie Holiday
This song falls under the swing vocal genre
Who are the artists behind ‘Shaw Nuff’?
Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie
This song is categorized as bebop
What genre does ‘Moondreams’ belong to?
1950s Jazz (cool jazz and hard bop)
Performed by Miles Davis
Which song by John Coltrane is a part of modal jazz?
‘Resolution’
This piece exemplifies modal jazz
True or False: ‘Gingerbread Boy’ is a composition by Miles Davis from the 1960s jazz.
True
This song is indeed from the 1960s jazz genre
Identify the genre of ‘Bitches Brew’.
Fusion
This piece is performed by Miles Davis
What genre does ‘Lonely Woman’ by Ornette Coleman belong to?
Free jazz
This song is a significant work in the free jazz movement
Fill in the blank: ‘Too Marvelous for Words’ is performed by _______.
Art Tatum
This piece is categorized under Harlem stride
Which artist performed ‘Body and Soul’?
Coleman Hawkins
This song is part of the swing genre
What genre is ‘Giant Steps’ associated with?
1960s jazz
This piece is performed by John Coltrane
What genre is ‘West End Blues’?
Early jazz
‘West End Blues’ by Louis Armstrong
What genre is ‘Black and Tan Fantasy’?
Swing
‘Black and Tan Fantasy’ by Duke Ellington
What genre is ‘Don’t Be that Way’?
Swing
Performed by Benny Goodman
What genre is ‘Down South Camp Meeting’?
Swing
Performed by Benny Goodman
What genre is ‘Take the ‘A’ Train’?
Swing
By Duke Ellington
What genre is ‘Rockin’ Chair’?
Swing
Performed by Roy Eldridge
What genre is ‘Lester Leaps In’?
Swing
Performed by Lester Young
What genre is ‘Handful of Keys’?
Harlem stride
By Fats Waller
What genre is ‘Strange Fruit’?
Swing vocal
Performed by Billie Holiday
What genre is ‘Groovin’ High’?
Bebop
By Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie
What genre is ‘Koko’?
Bebop
By Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie
What genre is ‘A Night in Tunisia’?
Bebop
By Bud Powell
What genre is ‘I Should Care’?
Bebop
By Thelonious Monk
What genre is ‘Medley: The Meaning of the Blues/Lament’?
1950s Jazz (cool jazz and hard bop)
By Miles Davis and Gil Evans
What genre is ‘Blue ‘n’ Boogie’?
1950s Jazz (cool jazz and hard bop)
By Miles Davis
What genre is ‘Señor Blues’?
1950s Jazz (cool jazz and hard bop)
By Horace Silver
What genre is ‘I Could Write a Book’?
1950s Jazz (cool jazz and hard bop)
Performed by Miles Davis
What genre is ‘So What’?
Modal jazz
By Miles Davis
What genre is ‘Alabama’?
Modal jazz
By John Coltrane
What genre is ‘Giant Steps’?
1960s jazz
By John Coltrane
What genre is ‘Lonely Woman’?
Free jazz
By Ornette Coleman
What genre is ‘Tales (Eight Whisps)’?
Free jazz
By Cecil Taylor
What genre is ‘Jupiter’?
Free jazz
By John Coltrane
What instrument was Benny Goodman?
Clarinet
He performed “Down South Camp Meetin’” and “Don’t be that way.”
What is the relationship between swing and bebop?
Swing brought America out of the Great Depression, which set up a promising future for young Black Americans, peaking in 1939. It entered a slow decline and exceeded with WWII, where it fell. Bebop emerged out of necessity to support these Black musicians.
