University of Northern Colorado Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC Dissertations Student Research 5-2018 Grant Green: An Analysis of the Blue Note Guitarist’s Musical Vocabulary Teague Stefan Bechtel Follow this and additional works at: https://digscholarship.unco.edu/dissertations Recommended Citation Bechtel, Teague Stefan, "Grant Green: An Analysis of the Blue Note Guitarist’s Musical Vocabulary" (2018). Dissertations. 479. https://digscholarship.unco.edu/dissertations/479 This Text is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Research at Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC. For more information, please contact [email protected]. © 2018 TEAGUE STEFAN BECHTEL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO Greeley, Colorado The Graduate School GRANT GREEN: AN ANALYSIS OF THE BLUE NOTE GUITARIST’S MUSICAL VOCABULARY A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Arts Teague Stefan Bechtel College of Performing and Visual Arts School of Music Jazz Studies May 2018 This Dissertation by: Teague Stefan Bechtel Entitled: Grant Green: An Analysis of the Blue Note Guitarist’s Musical Vocabulary has been approved as meeting the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Arts in the College of Performing and Visual Arts in the School of Music, Program of Jazz Studies. Accepted by the Doctoral Committee Steven G. Kovalcheck, M.M., Research Advisor H. David Caffey, M.M., Co-Research Advisor Socrates Garcia, D.A., Committee Member Mary Schuttler, Ph.D., Faculty Representative Date of Dissertation Defense________________________________________________ Accepted by the Graduate School _________________________________________________ Linda L. Black, Ed.D. Associate Provost and Dean Graduate School and International Admissions ABSTRACT Bechtel, Teague Stefan. Grant Green: An Analysis of the Blue Note Guitarist’s Musical Vocabulary. Published Doctor of Arts dissertation, University of Northern Colorado, 2018. This study examines the musical vocabulary of Blue Note Records guitarist Grant Green. By analyzing transcribed solos recorded between the years 1961 to 1965, this study seeks to establish a consensus of rhythmic and harmonic vocabulary that can be attributed to the jazz guitarist. Green’s harmonic vocabulary has been discussed in relation to elements outlined in the Jerry Coker book, “Elements of the Jazz Language for the Developing Improviser.” Elements of rhythmic vocabulary, time feel, phrasing, and sound concept have been discussed as stand-alone subjects. Sections are addressed with a foundation of theoretical and historical context, as well as with musical examples. Detailed analysis of the transcriptions seeks to secure Green’s place in jazz history alongside his contemporaries. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank Alyson Agemy for her encouragement and inspiration through this process. I would also like to thank her for her help and expertise in editing and proofing this document. I would like to thank my mother and father, Stephanie and Larry Bechtel, for their guidance and support throughout my life. I wish to thank my research advisor, Professor Steve Kovalcheck, as well as Professor David Caffey, Dr. Socrates Garcia, and Dr. Mary Schuttler, who have generously served on this dissertation committee. Finally, I would like to specifically recognize Steve Kovalcheck, my mentor and inspiration behind this project who has served as a great resource and influence throughout my doctoral degree. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................1 Biographical Sketch .................................................................................................1 Purpose of Study ....................................................................................................12 Limitations and Scope............................................................................................13 Need for Study .......................................................................................................13 II. METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................15 III. REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND RELATED MEDIA .....................................17 Summary ................................................................................................................19 IV. HARMONIC VOCABULARY .............................................................................20 3-b9 Motif ..............................................................................................................20 Honeysuckle Rose Motif........................................................................................34 Use of the Blues .....................................................................................................49 Contrapuntal Elaboration of Static Harmony ........................................................57 Digital Patterns.......................................................................................................61 V. RHYTHMIC VOCABULARY..............................................................................68 Time Feel ...............................................................................................................70 Rhythmic Motives ..................................................................................................80 VI. MINOR LEAGUE .................................................................................................89 VII. WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED LOVE? ..........................................................98 VIII. SOUND CONCEPT .............................................................................................108 IX. CONCLUSION....................................................................................................113 BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................115 v APPENDIX A – CHORD NOMENCLATURE ..............................................................118 APPENDIX B – DISCOGRAPHY ..................................................................................120 APPENDIX C – TRANSCRIPTIONS ............................................................................122 Alone Together ....................................................................................................123 Blues for Willarene ..............................................................................................128 But Not for Me .....................................................................................................132 Corcovado ............................................................................................................137 Ezz-Thetic ............................................................................................................140 Grantstand ............................................................................................................144 Green Jeans ..........................................................................................................149 I’ll Remember April .............................................................................................153 I’m an Old Cowhand ............................................................................................158 Jean de Fleur ........................................................................................................162 Just a Closer Walk with Thee ..............................................................................166 Just Friends ..........................................................................................................169 Lullaby of the Leaves...........................................................................................172 Minor League .......................................................................................................175 No. 1 Green Street................................................................................................178 Old Folks ..............................................................................................................183 Sonnymoon for Two ............................................................................................185 Speak Low ...........................................................................................................191 Street of Dreams ..................................................................................................195 Take These Chains from My Heart ......................................................................199 Tune Up ...............................................................................................................201 Wagon Wheels .....................................................................................................206 What Is This Thing Called Love? ........................................................................208 Wives and Lovers ................................................................................................212 You Don’t Know What Love Is ...........................................................................217 APPENDIX D – INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL .........................219 vi 1 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Biographical