All Blues by Miles Davis

All Blues by Miles Davis

1. Instruments

   • Frontline
     • Alto Saxophone
       • Played by Julian "Cannonball" Adderley
     • Tenor Saxophone
       • Played by John Coltrane
     • Trumpet
       • Played by Miles and sometimes he used a Harmon mute
     • These instruments play the main melody and have solos
   • Rhythm Section
     • Double Bass
       • Played by Paul Chambers
     • Piano
       • Played by Bill Evans
     • Drums
       • Played by Jimmy Cobb
     • These instruments provide the harmonic and rhythmic backing (even though the piano has a short solo).

2. All blues comes from the album KIND OF BLUE and was released in 1959

   • The album was recorded with almost no rehearsal, and the musicians had no score.

3. STRUCTURE

   • All Blues is based on the 12-bar blues
   • The main melody is called the head and is played by the trumpet for 12 bars, and can be heard near the beginning and end of the piece.
   • The piece is broken down to 5 sections:
     • !. The introduction - the opening four bars, played by the rhythm section, is followed by the riff.
     • 2 . Head 1 - the head melody, followed by the riff, is played twice.
     • 3. Solos - for trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax and piano, each followed by the riff.
     • 4. Head 2
     • 5. Coda - a solo for muted trumpet.

4. Melody

   • The head melody is quite simple and characterised by rising 6ths. This is followed by four improvised solos
     • 1. Trumpet Solo: Lasts fo 4 chouruses . Mostly made of short syncopated motifs
     • 2 . Alto sax solo: Lasts for 4 choruses. Uses quicker notes and a wider range
     • 3. Tenor sax solo: Lasts for 4 choruses. Uses fast scales and quick runs
     • 4. Piano solo: Lasts for 2 choruses. This improvisation is calmer, with a simple melody

5. Rhythm, Metre and Tempo

   • The score is in 6/4. the tempo is described as a jazz waltz.
   • It is performed with swung quavers.
   • There is frequent syncopation.

6. Instrumental Techniques

   • The snare drum is played with wire brushes at the start and switches to sticks later on.
   • The bass plays pizzicato throughout the piece.
   • The piano plays a tremolo at the start but during the solos the pianist begins comping.