JAZZ DEFINITIONS

Accompaniment Music played in support of the melody, whether composed or improvised. Typically, the rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) provides the accompaniment. acid jazz A fusion of jazz improvisation and hip hop rhythms acoustic bass A stringed instrument that is also known as the double bass, acoustic bass, string bass, or contrabass. It is typically used as a bass instrument in most styles of jazz. angular A melody that contains many leaps of wide intervals, or one that changes direction often and in unexpected places arrangement A set of written or verbal instructions that specify the nature of the various components of a performance of a composition (intro, head, accompaniment, solos, interludes, coda, etc.) and the order in which they are put together articulation Specifics on how a note is played - whether the tongue is used to start or stop the note (on wind instruments), whether it is plucked or bowed (on stringed instruments), etc. atonal Music that has no well-defined tonal center; it often also implies the lack of chords or other traditional harmonic structures avant-garde A style of music on the forefront of experimentation; originally applied to jazz styles such as freebop and expressionism backbeat The second and fourth beats of a four beat measure. The term also refers to a rhythmic pattern that strongly emphasizes these beats. background A part played in accompaniment. The term typically implies accompaniment played by melody instruments. Ballad A relatively slow, quiet, and pretty composition bass The low notes; the role of any instrument that typically plays low notes. The term often refers specifically to the acoustic bass bass guitar A larger, lower pitched version of an electric guitar. It is used as a bass instrument, particularly in soul jazz and fusion styles. Beat A regular subdivision of time that forms the basis for the pulse Bebop A style of jazz that developed from swing and emphasizes virtuoso soloing bent pitch A note that is made to rise or fall in pitch while it is being played big band An ensemble of greater than ten or so players. The standard is around seventeen. blue note A note that is flat (low in pitch) compared to its counterpart in a major scale blues A style of music derived in part from work songs used during slavery; a precursor and component of jazz. blues progression A twelve measure chord progression, divided into three four-bar phrases and based on the I, IV, and V chords, often used in blues and in jazz blues scale A scale that includes one or more blue notes and is typically used in blues boogie-woogie A style of jazz, typically played on piano, that uses a repeating left hand bass line pattern bossa nova A style of jazz derived in part from the Brazilian samba break A short unaccompanied lead-in to a solo bridge The "B" section in a AABA form, or any theme that serves as a secondary theme to the main theme in a head call and response A musical device in which one musician plays a phrase and another musician plays a related phrase in response chamber jazz A fusion of impressionistic jazz and European classical music changes (Rhythm changes/chord changes) A chord progression chart A written arrangement, whether a full score for many instruments or a lead sheet Chicago jazz A style of traditional jazz that emphasizes solos and four-beat rhythms chord A set of notes sounded together, formed according to certain rules of harmony chord progression A series of chords used to harmonize a melody or to provide a basis for improvisation chord symbol A written symbol used to indicate a chord eg V7 or F/D or Em chorus One time through the chord progression for a composition city blues A form of blues that emphasizes jazz elements, also known as classic blues classic blues A form of blues that emphasizes jazz elements, also known as city blues clave A rhythmic pattern that underlies Afro-Cuban music cliché An ostensibly "improvised" phrase that has been played many times by many musicians cluster A set of notes sounded together that do not form any standard chord - especially a set of notes close together on the piano coda A section of an arrangement that follows the last performance of the head and serves to conclude the piece collective improvisation Several musicians improvising at once combo A small ensemble, typically referring to groups of three to seven players composition The elements of a performance that are predetermined or written down comping An abbreviation of accompanying is a term used in jazz music to describe the chords, rhythms, and countermelodies that keyboard players (piano or organ) or guitar players use to support a jazz musician's improvised solo or melody lines. Conduction A type of performance in which the leader directs the improvisations of the other players through hand gestures Conga A tall drum played with the bare hand, typically found in Afro-Cuban music Construction The act of turning a musical idea into a specific phrase contemporary jazz See smooth jazz contrafact A composition based on the chord progression of another composition cool A relaxed by emotionally detached mood cornet A brass instrument similar to the trumpet but shorter and fatter, employing a conical rather than cylindrical bore countermelody A secondary melody played simultaneously with the main melody. counterpoint The act of playing several melodic lines at once cymbal A large, round percussion instrument made of metal dissonance A combination of notes that is heard as harmonically unstable or unpleasant Dixieland Slang term for traditional (New Orleans / Chicago) jazz double Being able to play more than one instrument (not at the same time!) drum A percussion instrument consisting of a skin stretched across a frame. drum set A set of drums, cymbals, and other percussion instruments for a single player drums The plural of "drum", this term often is used to refer to a drum set duo An ensemble consisting of two musicians dynamics Loudness; often referring to variations in loudness electronic effects Electronic devices used to alter the sounds of instruments, such as artificial echo embouchure The manner in which one must form the mouth in order to play a wind instrument energy music See expressionism ensemble A group of musicians performing together expression Any of hundreds of different variables a musician can control when playing a note, including dynamics and articulation expressionism A high energy form of music in which soloists stretch out over simple themes extended effects General term for any of a number of ways musicians can alter the sounds of their instruments, such as removing a valve, plucking the strings inside the piano, and so forth fall A musical effect in which the pitch of a note is made to fall dramatically after the initial sounding field holler See work song flat fifth An interval consisting of six semitones, such as between C and F#. It is relatively dissonant and gained notoriety through its use in bebop four-beat A rhythm that emphasizes all four beats in a measure more or less equally fours A musical device in which to or more soloists take turns improvising four measure phrases. Often, one of the musicians is the drummer. free improvisation Improvisation with no chord progression or other predetermined structure to guide the process free jazz Any form of jazz that uses free improvisation freebop A form of jazz that is similar to bebop but in which predetermined chord progressions are not used to guide the improvisation front ‘in front' means before the top, as an intro. front line The jazz band would be divided in the front line – trombone, clarinet, saxophone, etc and the rhythm section, piano, banjo. Guitar, drums and bass. Funk Originally, jazz with a pronounced gospel influence. Later, a style of R&B music or jazz-rock fusion. Fusion A hybrid of jazz and rock Giant Steps changes The chord progression of John Coltrane's "Giant Steps", or any pattern of rapid modulations by major thirds. Coltrane and others have used this idea to harmonize a number of compositions. Gig Term used by musicians to refer to a performance or other job Gospel Music played in black Christian churches, usually ecstatic in nature Groove An underlying pattern behind a musical performance, consisting of a rhythmic component and perhaps a melodic riff as well. The term implies danceability. group improvisation Several musicians improvising at once growl A musical effect in which the player vocalizes through his instrument to emulate a growl hard bop A form of jazz related to bebop but with a stronger gospel influence harmolodics The theory that melody, harmony, and rhythm should be of equal importance in collective improvisation. In harmolodics, any musician might be responsible for any of these roles at any time. The term was coined by Ornette Coleman to describe his approach to music. Harmony The perception of notes sounded at once. The term often refers to the chords that underlie a melody, or to the theory that underlies the construction of these chords Head The composed theme/ themes/ main idea of the composition; basis for the improvisations head arrangement A simple arrangement in which the ensemble plays the head, then takes turns soloing over the chord progression, then plays the head again horn Literally, a brass instrument, but commonly used by jazz musicians to refer to any wind instrument, and occasionally other instruments as well hot An excited mood impressionism A form of jazz involving collective improvisation in which the musicians often forego their standard ensemble roles and instead contribute whatever the music seems to need in the moment improvisation The act of creating music that has not been predetermined. This term often refers specifically to the act of playing new melodic lines as part of a solo. Interlude Any musical passage that occurs between choruses in an arrangement, whether between the head and the first solo, within a solo, between solos, or between the last solo and the return to the head Interpolation The act of playing a phrase taken from another composition or well-known improvisation within the context of one's own improvisation. Also known as quoting. Intro See introduction Introduction A musical passage played before the first statement of the primary theme key centre The scale that underlies the composition. The term often refers specifically to the note at the root of this scale. This note is the one toward which the other notes and chords seem to be leading. Kick A composed phrase that is played in rhythmic unison by the accompanying instruments behind a melody, whether composed or improvised Latin jazz A hybrid of jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms lay out To not play. Generally refers to rhythm section players choosing to not play accompaniment for a chorus or two. lead sheet A written representation of the theme and the accompanying chords for a composition. This is all that is required in order to play a head arrangement. Lick A phrase that an improvisor has practiced for use in improvisation, or one that sounds practiced long form A composition that contains multiple themes interspersed with solo sections, interludes, or other passages minimalism A deliberate reduction in complexity of melody, harmony, or rhythm, often involving repetition modal A system of harmony in which the chords do not relate to any specific key center Each new chord seems to come from a different key and suggest the use of a different scale. Modulation A transition from one key centre to another Mute A small device inserted into the bell of a brass instrument to alter the timbre of the sound produced Neoclassicism An effort to faithfully recreate elements of an earlier style New Age music A genre of meditative music that may involve improvisation New Orleans jazz A style of traditional jazz that emphasizes collective improvisation and two-beat rhythms non-idiomatic improvisation A manner of improvisation in which no concessions are made to the conventions any specific style nonet A nine piece ensemble octet An eight piece ensemble offbeat The second "half" of a beat (which might actually be shorter than half a beat in a swing rhythm) organ A keyboard instrument in which sounds are generated by air blowing through pipes or reeds, or an electronic simulation of such an instrument out The last chorus of a tune, when the head is played for the last time. On the stand the gesture of a raised clenched fist or a finger pointing to the head indicates that the out chorus is coming up. outro A jocular term for coda; an added ending section. Pastiche A combination of styles in which the component parts are left whole, eg medley Postmodernism A style of music that consciously draws from elements of other styles Pulse The beat; the rhythmic pattern underlying a groove pulse track A structure invented by Anthony Braxton to organize accompaniment. A pulse track consists of shape notations that specify the outline of the accompaniment on a beat by beat basis. quartet An ensemble of four musicians quintet An ensemble of five musicians quote The act of playing a phrase taken from another composition or well-known improvisation within the context of one's own improvisation. Also known as interpolation. Ragtime A form of music, usually composed for the piano, that combines European harmonies with syncopated rhythms Release The absence of tension Restructuralism The act of breaking convention to create new structures Rhythm The perception of sounds heard with respect to time. The term often implies a regular division of time that serves as the "beat", and all other sounds are heard relative to the beat. rhythm changes The chord progression of George Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm", which has been used a basis for hundreds if not thousands of other composition and is seen as a basic rite of passage for improvisors rhythm section A subset of an ensemble that is primary responsible for providing accompaniment. It typically consists of piano or guitar, bass, and drums. Riff (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. (2) A pre-packaged phrase used by an improviser when he can't think of anything else, especially one which is especially catchy. Salsa Latin jazz; particularly music that favours the Afro-Cuban elements Scat Improvised vocals using nonsense syllables; gives singers the ability to sing improvised melodies and rhythms, to create the equivalent of an instrumental solo using their voice. Score A written arrangement, particularly one that specifies parts for several instruments Section A group of related instruments in an ensemble, such as a saxophone section or trombone section Shake A musical effect in which the pitch of a note is made to rise and fall rapidly shout chorus A passage in a big band arrangement in which the melody instruments play a line (usually highly syncopated) in rhythmic unison. A shout chorus usually serves as an interlude between the head and solos. Shuffle A four-beat rhythm with a very exaggerated sense of swing Sideman A member of an ensemble who is not the leader smooth jazz A term used by some radio stations and critics to refer to a fusion of jazz and pop solo A passage in which one musician improvises new melodies, usually with the accompaniment of a rhythm section song form A thirty-two measure head consisting of two related themes, denoted "A" and "B", in the pattern AABA. This was a very popular form for popular songs and show tunes during the first half of the 20th century. soul jazz Hard bop with an even stronger gospel influence. Splat A musical effect in which a note is played with no definite pitch Stanza A phrase and the successive phrases that relate to it through repetition, variation, call and response, or other devices stop time A musical device in which the rhythm section ceases to outline the pulse and instead plays only on the downbeats of successive measures, in order to provide more room for the soloist straight eighth notes Eighth notes in which each note takes exactly half a beat. These are the standard eighth notes in classical music. Stride A style of piano jazz in which the left hand plays alternating bass notes and chord voicings in a steady pattern Sweet A mood that conveys romance Swing A style of jazz that relies on four-beat rhythms, or the pulse that underlies this music swing eighth notes Eighth notes in which the first "half" of each beat is prolonged. The exact ratio depends on style, tempo, and personal preference Tailgate A style of trombone playing that combines counterpoint and bass roles; common in traditional (New Orleans / Chicago) jazz Tension An unstable state in music. It is most commonly thought of in terms of harmonic dissonance but may come from many different sources. Theme A composed melody in a composition. third stream A style of music that combines jazz and European classic influences timbales A type of drum that is prominent in Afro-Cuban music tonal Harmony in which chords serve in a well-defined relationship to a key center traditional jazz Styles of jazz that were popular at the beginning of the era of recorded jazz. The term includes both New Orleans and Chicago styles. trap set drum set Tritone The interval of three whole steps, i.e. an augmented 4th or diminished 5th. Turnaround a passage at the end of a section which leads to the next section. This next section is most often the repetition of the previous section or the entire piece or song. two-beat A rhythm in which the first and third beats of a measure are emphasized over the second and fourth unit structure Term used by Cecil Taylor to describe the manner in which melodic or rhythmic fragments serve as a basis for improvisation in his music vamp A short sequence of chords that is repeated over and over again. Also a constantly repeated bass line over which a solo is played. Verse An introduction to a show tune that serves as a transition between the dialogue and the song form Vibraphone/vibraharp A pitched percussion instrument in which metal bars are struck by mallets and tubular resonators help to amplify the sound. The resonators contain rotating disks that create vibrato. Vibrato A slight wavering in pitch Vocalese A technique in which lyrics are written for an existing recorded solo Walking A bass line that consists mostly of quarter notes to outline the pulse West coast jazz Cool jazz, particularly performances that create harmony through counterpoint among melody instruments as opposed to the use of chordal instruments work song A song used by black American slaves

Scales:

C major Blues scale: C D D♯ E G A C ascending or C A G E Eà D C descending

C minor Blues scales: C Eà F F♯ G Bà C ascending or C Bà G Gà F EàC descending Blue note = a note sung/ played at a slightly lower pitch than that of the major scale

The major pentatonic scale = scale – 4th and 7th

The minor pentatonic scale = starts on 6th step of major:

The minor pentatonic scale with a flattened 5th + normal 5th = Blues Scale:

MODES:

C Ionian C D E F G A B C G Mixolydian G A B C D E F G

D Dorian D E F G A B C D A Aeolian A B C D E F G A

E Phrygian E F G A B C D E B Locrian B C D E F G A B

F Lydian F G A B C D E F

Whole tone scale = only whole tones 8-Bar Blues: Many variations of this. One example:

I I IV IV

I V IV I V I

Variation: or: I I I I

I V IV IV V IV I V

I V I V

Twelve-bar blues: Most Basic Example:

I I I I

IV IV I I

V IV I I

When the last bar contains the dominant, that bar can be called a turnaround.

Basic jazz blues progression

I7 IV7 IVdim I7 Vm7 I7

IV7 IVdim I7 III7 VI7

IIm7 V7 III7 VI7 II7 V7

Sixteen bar blues: The sixteen bar blues can be a variation on an eight bar blues or the more standard twelve bar blues. Any standard eight bar pattern can be viewed as a sixteen bar pattern played at twice the speed with the measures repeated. More commonly, a sixteen bar blues is an extension of a twelve bar progression. In order to form a sixteen bar blues progression, the 9th and 10 chords are repeated:

twelve bar progression sixteen bar progression

T T T T T T T T

S S T T S S T T

D S T T D S D S

D S T T

32-Bar Form: AABA used in Jazz, Pop and Rock A = verse harmonically closed; usually ending on Tonic (repeat) B (middle 8) = Bridge/ Release; Harmonically open; modulations end on V preparing to return A E.g. “I got rhythm” – Gershwin

Rhythm changes: Modified form of the chord progression "I Got Rhythm" in 32 bar form Harmonic basis of many Jazz standards. Especially in Bebop; Swing A: | I vi | ii V | | I I7 | IV #iv°7 | I V | I | (or | I I7 | IV iv |, which is what Gershwin originally wrote) In C major: | C Am7 | Dm G | C Am7 | Dm G | | C C7 | F F#° | C G | C | (or | C C7 | F Fm |) The "bridge" (B) consists of a series of dominant sevenths that follow the circle of fifths, sustained for two bars each and thus conveying the sense of a shifting key center: | III7 | ÷ | VI7 | ÷ | | II7 | ÷ | V7 | ÷ |

“So What” Chord: