All Blues

All Blues

1. Context

   • Miles Davis
     • well-known jazz trumpeter
   • no score
     • transcribed
     • performers given:
       • structure
       • chord sequence
       • main melodic idea
       • mode
   • jazz
     • originated in southern states of America
       • during early 20th century
     • improvisation
   • modal jazz
     • reaction against bebop
       • fast
       • virtuosic
       • improv. based on complex chord progressions
     • experimented with during 1950s
     • laid back
     • uncomplicated
     • based on modes
   • Kind of Blue
     • 1959
     • sextet
   • almost no rehearsal

2. Instrumentation

   • rhythm section
     • drum kit
     • piano
     • bass guitar
   • frontline instruments
     • alto saxophone
     • tenor saxophone
     • trumpet

3. Structure and Form

   • head arrangement
     • around 12-bar blues
       • one statement of chord sequence is a chorus
     • main melody (the head) played by muted trumpet
       • lasts for 12 bars
   • simple 4 bar riff
     • parallel thirds
     • link
       • separates each section
   • intro
     • opening 4 bars
       • rhythm section
       • followed by riff
   • head 1
     • head melody
       • followed by riff
         • played twice
   • solos
     • trumpet
       • stepwise
       • mostly diatonic
     • alto sax
       • virtuosic
       • more chromatic notes
       • angular
     • tenor sax
       • virtuosic
       • sequences
     • piano
       • sustained
       • chordal
       • least virtuosic
     • each followed by riff
   • head 2
     • head melody
       • followed by riff
         • played twice
   • coda
     • solo
       • muted trumpet

4. Melody

   • riffs
   • emphasis on improvisation
   • head melody
     • simple
     • characterised by rising 6ths
       • D to B
     • followed by four improvised solos
       • trumpet
         • 4 choruses
         • short, syncopated motifs
       • alto sax
         • 4 choruses
         • wider range
           • quicker notes
       • tenor sax
         • 4 choruses
         • fast scales
           • quick runs
       • piano
         • 2 choruses
         • calmer
         • parallel chords

5. Tonality and Harmony

   • 12-bar blues sequence
     • G7 G7 G7 G7 Gm7 Gm7 G7 G7 D7 Eb7/D7 F/G G/G6
       • unusual
   • G mixolydian mode
   • extended chords (7ths)
   • altered chords (sus 2 and sus 4)

6. Rhythm and Metre

   • 6/4 metre
   • swing quavers
     • often used in jazz
   • syncopation
   • jazz waltz
     • three beat division
       • waltz-like feel

7. Texture

   • mostly homophonic
     • melody and accompaniment
   • saxophones play accompaniment riff

8. Dynamics

   • accompaniment plays quietly during solos
   • mostly mf
   • some gradual changes
     • diminuendos and crescendos

9. Techniques

   • snare drum
     • first played with wire brushes
     • later switches to sticks
   • pizz on bass
   • Harmon mute
     • trumpet
     • stem removed
   • tremolo in intro
     • piano
       • begins comping during solos