jazz revision Flashcards
describe miles davis style
- plays the trumpet w/ little vibrato, focusing more on the tone and colour of his playing over virtuosity
- slow chord changes (note the chords and scales used); parallel chord movements
- more instrumental solo breaks
what classical composer could have influenced miles davis?
Debussy — focus on colour
which composers possibly used modal jazz?
miles davis, coltrane, herbie hancock.
which album by Miles Davis began to explore with electronic music?
Bitches Brew.
which Miles Davis album featured classical music
Porgy and Bess
when was the album “In a Silent Way” released? and what was special about the music of this album?
- While there are more progressive elements such as
when was the Miles Davis album “Honky Tonk” released? Listen to the album: what typical jazz instruments have been replaced?
- Walking bass replaced with bass guitar.
how does John Coltrane’s music compare to Miles Davis’?
more soloistic, with more improvisation. mostly Coltrane in the limelight.
when was Giant Steps composed? what was unique about this work?
- The harmony uses the Coltrane Matrix, where the key centre is constantly shifting in major thirds. Opens in B+ to G+ to Eb+ (descends in thirds).
Describe the melody in the solo of Giant Steps.
Opens in __ Lydian mode
melody moves down by whole tones. (A#-G#-F#)
When was JC’s “A Love Supreme” 4-part suite released? What’s unique about this work?
- Coltrane recently quit drugs and dedicated himself to religion.
extensive drum solo improv — ‘tani avartanam’
What is unique about JC’s “Crescent”?
polyphonic texture. Mainly a saxophone solo.
What is unique about JC’s “Sun Ship”?
drum improvisation.
Which composer composed “Succotash”?
herbie hancock
What’s unique about HH’s Cantaloupe Island (1964)?
- three main modes suggested (Fm7 or F Dorian, Db7 or Db Mixolydian, Dm7 or D Dorian) and then keeps repeating.
