All Blues - Miles Davis

All Blues - Miles Davis

1. Jazz

   • Originated in the southern states of America during the early 20th century
   • Improvistaion
   • Miles Davis: jazz trumpeter
     • Influenced modal jazz
   • Bebop was fast and virtuosic, with improvisations based on complex chord progressions
   • Modal jazz was laid-back and uncomplicated, with improvisations based on modes

2. Album - Kind of Blue

   • Released in 1959
   • The band is a sextet made up of:
     • The Frontline (play main melody and solos)
       • Trumpet
       • Alto saxophone
       • Tenor saxophone
     • The Rhythm Section (harmonic and rhythmic backing)
       • Piano
       • Bass
       • Drum kit
   • Recorded with almost no rehersal and no score
     • Only basic information was given:
       • Overall structure
       • Chord sequence
       • Main melodic idea
       • Mode/scale

3. Structure

   • Based on the 12-bar blues progression
     • A chord sequence lasting for 12 bars and returns throughout the piece. One statement of the chord sequence is called a chorus
   • Main melody is called the head, played by muted trumpet
     • Lasts for 12 bars, can be heard at the start and end of piece
   • Simple 4-bar riff in parallel 3rds that separates each section
   • Five sections:
     • 1) Introduction - opening four bars, rhythm section, followed by riff
     • 2) Head 1 - head melody, followed by riff, played twice
     • 3) Solos - trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax and piano, each followed by riff
     • 4) Head 2 - head melody, followed by riff, played twice
     • 5) Coda - muted trumpet solo

4. Melody

   • Head melody - simple, characterised by rising 6ths
   • 4 solos:
     • 1) Trumpet - lasts for 4 choruses, short, syncopated motifs
     • 2) Alto sax - lasts for 4 choruses, quicker notes, wider range, more virtuosic
     • 3) Tenor sax - lasts for 4 choruses, fats scales, quick runs, very virtuosic
     • 4) Piano - lasts for 2 choruses, calmer, simpler melody, leads into parallel chords

5. Harmony and Tonality

   • Based on 12-bar blues sequence
     • G7 (x4), Gm7 (x2), G7 (x2), D7, Eflat7/D7, F/G, F/G6
     • Known as the changes
   • G major with a flattened 7th

6. Rhythm, Metre and Tempo

   • 6/4
     • 'Jazz Waltz'
   • Swing quavers
   • Frequent syncopation

7. Instrumental Techniques

   • Snare drum is played with wire brushes
   • Bass plays pizzicato throughout
   • Trumpet is played with Harmon mute
   • Piano plays tremolo at beginning
     • Piano uses comping is solo (accompanying with chords and short melodic ideas)