Ethno Mu 50A - Lecture 2 - Lecture Notes PDF

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Lecture 2: 10/1/15 improv makes up melodic phrases Roles within the ensemble Leader- leader(s), main responsibility usually in charge of finding the gig leads the band in some manner performing, conducting one whose name gets publicized Side man- selection of the side man is essential since improv is so crucial, leader must select side man which compliments his skills improv requires the ensemble to feed off of each other for creativity Leader is more significant only in the sense of management in the act of performing, leader becomes near equal to side man there’s not one performer whom is more important than another Jazz band is a democracy A leader can be a side man, and a side man could be a leader in another ensemble Musicians Each improviser has his/her own style, tune, color and habits these licks allow easier recognition and signatures Listening Techniques Many of the instruments used in Jazz are wind Song Form Two very common forms used in Jazz, others used also AABA- this is broken up into section, given letter names to abbreviate melodic content A’s are not identical, but melodies are identical with variance B’s are the release, where music deviates and changes pace bridge, harmony When returning back to A after B, this is where improv occurs indeterminate number of cycles until improv occurs Chorus- one cycle through the form Returning back to melody is the traditional method of signifying the end of song 12 Bar Blues- 12 measure long chorus

Skills needed by an Improviser Command of their instrument Have as little encumbrance between thoughts and action One becomes a better improviser as their skills of thoughts and action increases in speed, uniqueness Highly developed ear Ability to react to what other sidemen are playing May be more important than actual skill on instrument Ability to read music actually being literate or able to composed NOT REQUIRED THOUGH 1930s believed that the ability to read music decreased ability to improvise Musician chose one or the other, they didn’t mix Video Rag Time and Blues will be topic of comparison essay Brass band music not included in essay modern marching band Prevalent style of music and instruments were owned by general public Names: Buddy Bolden (trumpet), considered to be first musician to play Jazz hard to say he improvised, not really the same Jazz we’re studying he embillised melodoies Jazz a Film by Ken Burns, episode 1 The Roux 'rag time is syncopation gone mad' New Orleans heard blues while some heard Rag time Blues- sculpted meaning from a situation which they gave no meaning 'Blues lyrics were tragic but the music was about stomping the blues away' About mixing church with secular...