Stompin at the Savoy, Benny Goodman Swing

Question 1

What is the structure of this piece?

Answer 1

The piece begins with a 4 bar intro followed by four chouruses of 32 bars
Each 32 bar chorus was made up of four 8 bar phrases. The first second and fourth all share the same material, the third supplies contrast (ABAA)

Question 2

Instrumentation?

Answer 2

Big band - saxes, clarinets, piano, bass, drum kits - orchestral size typical of swing era

Question 3

Which instrument plays the B phrase in 2nd chorus?

Answer 3

Solo clarinet with sax accompaniment - A phrase played by saxes so this allows for dynamic shading

Question 4

What does the 3rd chorus feature?

Answer 4

A trombone solo over a layer of saxes

Question 5

Which instrument plays the B phrase in chorus 3?

Answer 5

tenor sax

Question 6

Which instruments play chorus 4?

Answer 6

Trumpets, B phrase on clarinet and clarinet finishes the piece

Question 7

Which texture is most common?

Answer 7

Homophonic. The rhythm section homophonically outlines the harmonies in regular crotchets - muted trumpets enter on 3rd beat of every bar while saxes hold long notes

Question 8

What texture is heard in chorus 2?

Answer 8

Antiphonal - link to African and African American use of call and response

Question 9

What key is the piece in?

Answer 9

Db major

Question 10

What key do the B sections move to?

Answer 10

Gb major - key change up a semitone takes place in fourth chours

Question 11

Rhythmic feature?

Answer 11

Swung, leisurely tempo

Question 12

Melody in 1st chorus?

Answer 12

Low register unison saxes, typical of swing, B phrase makes use of linger notes with a more sequencial feel and more active trumpet part

Question 13

Melody in 2nd chorus?

Answer 13

Features saxophones again, though melody is reduced to two notes per phrase, first on beat 3 - allowed for more elaborate response to the still muted trumpets

Question 14

What was this piece inspired by?

Answer 14

The Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, it is now a Jazz standard