Jazz Unknown Words

Question 1

riffs

Answer 1

A relatively simple, catchy repeated phrase. May be played behind a soloist or as part of a head. Often in a bluesy style. Riff tunes are made up of riffs, characteristic of the black bands of the 30s.

Question 2

licks

Answer 2

Short musical ideas that are regularly repeated in the improvisations of a particular soloist.

Question 3

guide tones

Answer 3

Notes of a chord that make that chord clear, e.g. for a maj7, the 3rd and 7th make it clear.

Question 4

24 bar structures

Answer 4

Similar to 12 bar blues except every chord is doubled in duration. Turnaround is the last four bars.

Question 5

loop

Answer 5

Repeated riff, goes around and around.

Question 6

break

Answer 6

A transitional passage in which a soloist plays unaccompanied.

Question 7

changes

Answer 7

Jazz terminology for chords (e.g., the changes of a tune = the chords of tune); a tune’s chord progression.

Question 8

head

Answer 8

The first (and last) chorus of a tune, in which the song or melody is stated without improvisation or with minimal improvisation.

Question 9

stab chords

Answer 9

Single staccato chord that adds impact.

Question 10

lead-sheet

Answer 10

A form of music notation that specifies the melody & harmony (and sometimes the lyric) of a tune. The melody is written in modern Western music notation and the harmony is specified with chord symbols above the staff.

Question 11

scat

Answer 11

The use of vocables and syllables instead of words while improvising vocally.

Question 12

chorus

Answer 12

One time through the chords of a tune

Question 13

front-line

Answer 13

Instruments that play the melody or improvise with solos etc in jazz bands. Usually trumpet, trombone, clarinet and (later) saxophones.

Question 14

rhythm section

Answer 14

The musicians in the band whose primary function is to provide and maintain the pulse, rhythm, and feel of the music as well as its underlying chord structure; the rhythm section consists of piano, bass, guitar, and drums.

Question 15

improvisation

Answer 15

Process of spontaneously creating fresh melodies over the continuously repeating cycle of chord changes of a tune. The improviser may depend on the original tune, or solely on the possibilities of the chords’ harmonies.

Question 16

walking bass

Answer 16

A bass line in which the notes are all on the beat, and move mainly by steps instead of leaps.

Question 17

Dixieland

Answer 17

Early instrumental jazz band music. The name given to New Orleans style jazz when it began to be played in Northern cities. This style of jazz is also known as New Orleans style jazz, Chicago style jazz or traditional jazz. Slightly later than early jazz (revival of it.)

Question 18

slash chords

Answer 18

A chord whose bass note is indicated with a slash next to the chord symbol.

Question 19

Ragtime

Answer 19

Predecessor of jazz, often played on piano. Cross rhythms and syncopation. All composed, no improv. Regular accented accompaniment.

Question 20

comping

Answer 20

Improvising a jazz accompaniment. Typically on piano. Word comes from complement and to accompany.

Question 21

Contrafact

Answer 21

A jazz tune based on an existing set of chord changes, usually from a standard; the result when composers use the chord structure of a given, established composition to write an entirely new composition, e.g. Ornithology from How High the Moon.