Questions tagged [jazz]
An original American music style that originated in the early 20th century by improvisation and syncopation.
563
questions
3
votes
1answer
97 views
Db in realization of "A7alt" in Levine's piano book
In this other question about Mark Levine's jazz piano book, there's an enharmonic spelling of b9 of G7b9 as G# instead of Ab, which some users objected to:
To me that seemed completely fine, because ...
16
votes
5answers
2k views
Why is this a G7b9?
My understanding is that one approach to naming a chord is to first identify the root. However in this case, if this is really a G7b9, the root 'G' does not appear in the chord. How am I supposed to ...
1
vote
3answers
163 views
Pat Martino's parental forms. Can you go deeper?
I have been studying Pat Martino lessons on the parental forms. It absolutely blew my mind that if you lower any note a halfstep in a augmented triad you get a major chord. And if you raise a note you ...
1
vote
4answers
89 views
The Role of Piano in Bossa Nova
I'm preparing a Bossa arrangement which will feature: GTR, Drums, Bass, Vocals , Trumpet and piano. I think it's obvious what the role of each instrument will be when playing Bossa Nova. But I am ...
3
votes
0answers
56 views
What exactly is a "vamp"? [duplicate]
I recently started to read Mick Goodrick's well-known book "The Advancing Guitarist", but I got stuck at the very beginning. The first chapter of the book talks about how playing on one ...
1
vote
0answers
39 views
Accents (destabilizing rhythm) Justin Kauflin [closed]
In this video
at 2:10 Justin Kauflin plays these accented chords and I really cannot figure out exactly what the rhythm is. Can anybody hear what he is doing?
3
votes
1answer
74 views
Is there a historic origin for final ending (cadence) of V-I with melody tones ^3 ^1 in some jazz standards?
In some jazz standards I see a final ending of V-I using melody tones ^3 ^1, for example...
Cherokee in B flat
All of Me in C
Note that the ^3 in those examples is not some kind of embellishment of ^...
10
votes
1answer
161 views
21st Century Jazz Theory?
I know that the Mark Levine Jazz Theory and Jazz Piano books were widely used theory books in jazz instruction and almost considered the standard. However, they are both over a quarter century old now....
6
votes
1answer
274 views
Changing chords in jazz
I'm trying to understand different jazz and blues styles. Here are some things I'm not sure if I've understood correctly and I'd love to have them corrected and explained.
It's common in jazz to use ...
1
vote
3answers
125 views
Choosing instrument for a solo
I am currently arranging a big-band piece to be played by my college big band (4 trumpets; 3 trombones + 1 bass trombone; 2 alto & 2 tenor saxes + 1 bari sax; rhythm section). I'm working on a ...
3
votes
1answer
93 views
Difference between *block chords* and *Barry Harris* voicings
I’ve been wondering for a while about the main differences between the so called block chords, and the also famous Barry Harris diminished voicings.
I use Barry Harris voicings all the time and the ...
1
vote
1answer
95 views
Voicing Freddie Green-style rhythms in jazz arrangement
I'm working on a jazz arrangement and i was thinking of a walking bass, brushes on the drums, some chord stabs and fills for the piano, but as for the guitar it's a bit difficult. I want to write in ...
4
votes
4answers
878 views
What is the function of Horace Silver playing a C Major 7 over a D7 chord?
In Oleo by the Miles Davis Quintet at 0:17, Horace Silver plays a C Maj7/D voicing during the D7 chord at the bridge creating a ?D11 chord (if I am transcribing it correctly !). My question is what is ...
4
votes
3answers
336 views
What is the scope of copyright? [closed]
I was studying My Favorite Things by John Coltrane to play on piano, while listening to it and its other versions I have learned that this Jazz standard was actually from a motion picture called Sound ...
3
votes
2answers
105 views
Jazz vs Classical interpretation of this V7c vs iv-m6 chord in a common chord progress?
Here is a progression in a song I am playing
On the 3rd beat of the second measure there is a Dm6 or G9/D chord (or B half diminished first inversion): at least that's what Carl Kress is playing ...
9
votes
3answers
242 views
Tritone substitution to a major chord?
I'm relatively new to jazz theory and I've been working through the book, Hal Leonard Guitar Method: Jazz Guitar by Jeff Schroedl. In it he describes a tritone substitution as a "V, ii(II), or vi(...
2
votes
2answers
53 views
Lip Trilling on Lower Notes
I am playing "One Mint Julep" in my jazz band (trombone 4 part). I have a G3 note with a short lip trill. I usually see lip trills on higher notes, so what is a proficient way to play these? ...
4
votes
2answers
346 views
What is the difference between an augmented and diminished scale?
I understand little music theory, so I do not understand the difference between an augmented and diminished scale.
3
votes
1answer
93 views
Gypsy Jazz style violin vibrato notation
The way vibrato is used in gypsy jazz violin, like Stephane Grappelli is a bit different from normal classical playing. Typically only used on long notes and developing after the note has sounded, ...
4
votes
2answers
133 views
How do you memorize the modes of the melodic minor scale on guitar?
I'm looking for ideas to memorize the 7 positions of the melodic minor on the guitar fretboard. Any suggestions? Is there a way to map each pattern to a chord shape? Or a way to quickly visualize the ...
3
votes
7answers
768 views
Jazz piano, chords: planning ahead
I’m an aspiring jazz pianist, playing tunes without sight reading of any kind (once I’ve learned it), in ensembles and solo.
I have for long had the problem that my chords are staggering. Once I’ve ...
1
vote
2answers
117 views
PRS SE245 with Thomastik Jazz Swing strings
I have a PRS SE 245 electric guitar and to be able to get more jazz sound I want to restring my guitar with Thomastik Jazz Swing JS112. Since this guitar is not a hollow body and its neck is shorter ...
8
votes
4answers
1k views
Should I use uppercase or lowercase roman numerals in Jazz harmonic analysis?
I know that there is not a fully defined specification for the language used in jazz harmonic analysis, as it has grown slowly and organically and has many variations. I have seen some textbooks use ...
2
votes
1answer
160 views
Walking bass, two bars per chord, on tritone substitution
This is a follow up to my earlier question about step-wise walking bass. But this is for a full scale for two bars per chord.
Part of the question is about when and where to add extra half steps if ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
Piano: getting chords up to speed
I practice a transcription that involves more elaborate jazz chords, modal sus9 and 13-chords, those kind of things, occupying many or all of the hands' fingers. I've played such things before (for ...
7
votes
1answer
92 views
Who was the first to teach jazz improvisation with an approach that matches scales to chords?
I'm reading George Russell's Lydian Chromatic Concept right now, and I'm trying to better understand its place (and his) in the history of jazz theory. Was he the first to posit this improvisational ...
1
vote
1answer
50 views
How to simply voice-lead melody for jazz brass
Hello and thank you for your time!
My knowledge in music theory is limited, so excuse me. I don't know where to look for the answer.
The goal is simple: harmonize a upper melody with chords stacked ...
1
vote
2answers
94 views
Next steps for playing the piano [closed]
I've comfortably played Nuvole Bianche and Fur Elise by watching youtube videos, I can sense patterns between keys and I think have developed some musical sense(I can pick up new song, only with the ...
4
votes
2answers
146 views
Step-wise walking bass for tritone substitution
I'm unsure how to handle a step-wise walking bass under a tritone substitution progression.
I'm working on piano and using what I understand to be basic "Evans" voicings in the right hand ...
5
votes
3answers
620 views
What is the function of this ♯V major chord (or ♭VI major)?
From this video, just listen to the first 8 bars (first 15 seconds). It sounds like the chord progress is I III7 II7 V# V7 in F major scale to me.
I don't know how to explain the function of this V# ...
3
votes
2answers
596 views
What do these diamond and slash note heads mean?
Can someone tell me what do the symbols here mean? and how to play them in triplets as written in the lead sheet?
3
votes
1answer
89 views
Jazz quartets without chord instrument [closed]
I want to write my degree thesis in music theory on arranging for jazz quartets without chord instruments (i.e. Vibraphone, piano, guitar...). For instance, there are the recordings of Gerry Mulligan ...
10
votes
1answer
359 views
Meaning of a Notation Symbol (
I wonder if anyone can tell me what the curved notation next to the 8th notes are. If it helps, this is a score for saxophone.
Thanks.
2
votes
3answers
161 views
How do I learn to improvise outside of the jazz realm?
I'm a classically trained pianist and I've spent a lot of time in the last year or two really learning the blues. I've worked through some of my favorite pieces and it's safe to say I can now rip a 12 ...
2
votes
3answers
376 views
Why do some musicians count "un, two, three, four"?
I've seen and heard, in particular jazz musicians, count in using "un" instead of the regular pronunciation of the word "one". It seems unlikely there's a technical or practical ...
25
votes
10answers
4k views
Randomly and Programmatically generate a "good" next chord?
I am a Software Developer/Musician who has free time before summer classes start up. I wanted to sharpen my chord reading and improvising skills.
What I would like to do is generate a phrase of ...
1
vote
2answers
62 views
Bossa Nova Arrangement
I'm preparing a Bossa Nova Tune and it will feature a Singer, Guitarist, Pianist(me) and some percussion. Now i want the guitar to play the typical Bossa Nova rhythm but I don't know what do play with ...
4
votes
3answers
409 views
non understandable key switches in jazz [closed]
I am trying to learn jazz. I got a handbook with some jazz standards. Given a jazz tab, is there a dominant key ? like in classical music. I don't understand the structure of the music. For instance, ...
4
votes
3answers
145 views
What's it called when you play the same exact melody with a different rhythm?
As an example, here is the original iconic melodic phrase that's used throughout the Trails Sky games:
https://youtube.com/embed/3GB-xej4GFc?start=66&end=85
But here in this next piece, the exact ...
1
vote
1answer
64 views
Practice one pattern per day or one key per day? [closed]
Assume one needs to practice pattern A and pattern B in keys 1 and 2.
Is it better to practice one day pattern A in all keys and the other day pattern B in all keys, or to practice patterns A and B in ...
3
votes
3answers
103 views
Do sus chords exist in Locrian?
I have recently been exploring chords in the Locrian mode. Down to the flattened 5th and 9th degrees, I have come up with some pretty bizarre sus chords. This got me thinking: Are such chords still ...
2
votes
3answers
141 views
Usage of Melodic Minor instead of Harmonic Minor on Secondary Dominant
Recently I watched this video which discusses secondary dominants and specifically for the case of A II - V - I in the key of C.
They play a secondary dominant for the II chord, so they are playing an ...
4
votes
3answers
141 views
How to play outside over a major 7 chord?
What are some (fusion-like) options to temporarily play outside over a major 7 chord? E.g. if I improvise over Am7 - Fmaj7 in A aeolian, what are some options to escape F lydian or such and sound ...
3
votes
4answers
283 views
What is this embellishment called?
There's a technique I've seen used a lot in jazz, gospel, pop singing, etc. where someone will play a note and play a quick semitone up and back down into another note. Heres an audio example. Does ...
4
votes
3answers
392 views
How do I learn jazz on piano? [duplicate]
I am very interested in learning piano but more specifically jazz. I really like the way people can just improvise. I know that I would not be easy but I would like to know what the best book or ...
7
votes
2answers
701 views
Creating chord-melody from The Real Book (or other fake book)
I practice songs from The Real Book, and I am quite new to the chord-melody concept. I have knowledge of scales and chords, and I can play melodically these standards. Now I want to play them as chord-...
4
votes
1answer
129 views
Jazz tones with PRS SE245
I am playing a solid body guitar, PRS SE245 and actually I want to have some jazz sounds.
I am combining this guitar with Blackstar LT Echo 10 and actually couldn't succeed to get the tones of jazz.
...
2
votes
4answers
197 views
Do I understand correctly this relationship between m6, m7, and m7b5 chords?
While reading the Jazz Guitar Chord Mastery book by Joseph Alexander, I've encountered a passage that is not 100% clear to me. I would be very thankful if you might help.
Playing a m7b5 chord on the ...
2
votes
0answers
39 views
Why does F#dim resolve to C/G? [duplicate]
So heres my question:
F#dim -> C/G
How does this work?
Well I understand that F#dim is functioning as D7b9 and resolving to the G in C/G but my question is why? It would make perfect sense to me if ...
2
votes
2answers
143 views
Old school reharmonization of jazz songs
I'm wondering how to reharmonize a jazz song using a traditional jazz style that avoids modern substitutions and extensions.
As an example, I've got this score here. You can see the two ...