Questions tagged [jazz]
An original American music style that originated in the early 20th century by improvisation and syncopation.
526
questions
2
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2answers
41 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
32 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
96 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 ...
7
votes
2answers
251 views
tuning of marimba in a jazz band
I started playing the marimba and although it seems a bit unusual I wish to be part of a jazz band with that instrument. Fortunately, before buying my own instrument I found out that marimbas have ...
4
votes
1answer
115 views
Keys in Real Book vs. Real Vocal Book
I like seeing the lyrics to jazz standards, but I would also like to practice standards in their original/standard keys.
How many tunes in the Real Vocal Book "High Voice" (which has the ...
2
votes
3answers
111 views
Improvising: can't play what I hear (internally)
When I play jazz/pop, I struggle to get the musical thoughts I "hear" in my head out onto my instrument. I can tell that what I've played isn't what I wanted to play, but I don't know how to ...
6
votes
4answers
747 views
Is there any reason to use F flat in notating this blues riff (jazz)?
I am reading though Dariusz Terefenko's Jazz theory book, and in the chapter on Improvisation (chapter 10) he lists a few typical 1-, 2- and 4-bars blues riffs, all on a Bb blues scale. Several of ...
16
votes
4answers
1k views
How much of a jazz tune should I pre-arrange?
I have been learning jazz piano (mainly solo) for a few months and am trying to incorporate more color and more interesting voicings in my chords. However, I find it very difficult to keep the ...
1
vote
0answers
88 views
Improvising Chord Progressions
Usually when playing along with jazz standards we check out the changes before we start, the changes define the song.
I was wondering if it is possible to not have a predetermined set of changes ...
5
votes
2answers
792 views
Notes in a Chord
I'm trying to work my way through the Mark Levine Jazz Theory book but I'm scratching my head at the start of chapter 2 (Pg15). Maybe this book is too advanced for me and I need to pick something less ...
3
votes
1answer
129 views
Chord-Scale Theory: Determine chord qualities
I started to learn about the chord-scale theory lately which i find quite interesting. I came across this table of modes (scales) and their corresponding chords:
Chord-Scales of the Major Modes:
...
3
votes
2answers
388 views
Interpolated chords: How do they work?
Recently, I studied the tune 'Misty' by Eroll Garner. I was slightly confused as to the middle section of the piece, as it involves a passage with some delayed resolutions. I have come across three ...
6
votes
3answers
157 views
The ambiguity of certain chord qualities in Roman numeral Analysis
Roman numeral analysis uses capitalization to disambiguate Major from minor, so the paradigm is not entirely based on inference. There seems to be a double standard as to what is explicit and what isn'...
4
votes
2answers
123 views
How does music theory explain I-VII7-I? [duplicate]
In the tune called Whispering we find C-B7-C (I-VII7-I). The melody descends from C to B in bars 2 and 3. The chords also do this. B7 sounds a bit like a dominant chord to me but it uses non-scale ...
0
votes
3answers
75 views
Chord naming conventions: When is a 6 a 13? [duplicate]
I have seen/ heard people say that you only write a 6 when there are no other upper extensions used (meaning no inclusion of 7 and above).
I have also heard people say that you only write a 6 when ...
1
vote
0answers
50 views
Can someone tell me the meter of the verses, chorus, and bridge in “A Night in Tunisia” by Ella Fitzgerald [closed]
I have a project for my music class where I need to analyze a song and I am having trouble figuring out the meter of each section. Could someone help me out?
4
votes
5answers
192 views
What makes a chord a sus chord?
In light of some recent answers to questions I have asked on Stack Exchange with regards to naming chords, I have decided to refine things a little further, focusing on sus chords.
If a chord contains ...
1
vote
0answers
39 views
Name of Song this jazz melody comes from [closed]
Can someone please tell me the name of the song this melody can be heard? comes from some hard bop tune in the 70's or something I don't know
https://musescore.com/scores/unknown/unknown-...
12
votes
4answers
648 views
How to find scales to improvise with for “How Insensitive” by Jobim
I am pretty new to improvisation. So far I have improvised over a 2 5 1 change using the diatonic 7th chords and the underlying scale tones that fit in with that chord. I am playing on a guitar.
As a ...
0
votes
1answer
94 views
what is the method behind naming jazz chords? [closed]
I have recently become confused about how to name chords in jazz.
This is my current understanding:
Add chords (without 7th)- chord that contains the root, third, (optional 5th) and one or more ...
1
vote
1answer
53 views
Critique on Composition I made [closed]
I was hoping someone with a solid background in jazz music theory to give me a solid critique on a jazz blues composition I made last month. Here's the link:
https://musescore.com/user/6040626/scores/...
3
votes
5answers
405 views
Does melodic minor ever function as a key (or tonality) in of itself?
I am getting into jazz harmony, so have recently started learning chords derived from the modes of the melodic minor scale. As far as I can tell, these modes are primarily used for two main functions:
...
7
votes
4answers
586 views
When does a jazz tune actually modulate?
I am getting into Jazz harmonic analysis, and have watched a few analysis videos to start me off. I will be referring to the analysis that one youtuber (Justinguitarsongs) has made of the tune 'Misty',...
4
votes
5answers
149 views
Different scales for chords and melody
I haven't had any real education in MT so I might ask the wrong questions or my confusion might be based on lack of fundaments so please bare with me and I will try to explain.
Starting to learn MT ...
3
votes
1answer
52 views
Cmajor11(#13) same as C(dominant)11?
I was learning about extension chords where I stumbled upon a question: if we play Cmajor11(sharp 13), wouldn't that have the note B flat which is supposed to be there in dominant chord? Shouldn't ...
2
votes
3answers
85 views
Jazz walking bass for C to E7 (I to V7/vi)
I'm learning walking bass on the piano. All the walking bass guides I have say to play some approach tone on the last beat before a chord change.
If the progression were C to G you might play F# or Ab ...
1
vote
0answers
74 views
There is a course that teaches a specific version of the Jazz tune Summertime that I cannot find [closed]
I'm searching for a version of summertime and the course that teaches it. Around 2005-2009 there was an online website that offered a course that contained a book with 4 dvds and different, ...
4
votes
4answers
516 views
Why the real book and original recordings sound a lot different?
I am trying to learn jazz standarts from the real book and for example when I play "autumn leaves" or "black orhpeus" with guitar from the real book it sounds simpler than original ...
4
votes
2answers
91 views
Herbie Hancock solo on Witch Hunt
In Herbie Hancock's solo on Witch Hunt, these two measures feature descending perfect 4th triplets. Is that why this excerpt of the solo sounds so pleasant? And what scales does he use over the Emaj7 ...
3
votes
2answers
437 views
How do you explain this Db7 (functional harmony) in “There will never be another you”?
I'm analysing this Jazz Standard. And it's quite straightforward with some major and minor II-V cadences here and there yet there is a chord I don't know how to explain, and it is that Db7 indicated ...
6
votes
3answers
604 views
What tone to play for an upper neighbor in jazz?
My question is about playing upper neighbors to embellish basic chord tone motion.
Lower neighbors like this...
...seem to pose no problems. Just use half steps below and the neighbor sounds like a ...
7
votes
2answers
145 views
Is the “Charlie Parker Cycle” described in this document a “traditional” method?
Cochrane, Arpeggio and Scale Resources - a guitar encyclopedia.
Charter 3, pages 30-2 give the description. In it Cochrane says:
As far as I’m aware, Charlie Parker never knowingly used ‘the Charlie ...
9
votes
2answers
428 views
Harmonizing the bebop major (diminished sixth) scale - Barry Harris
@JohnBelzaguy shared this link with me https://cochranemusic.com/barry-harris-6th-dim-scale-diminished.
It's about Barry Harris and the "diminished sixth" - Bebop major - scale.
But I'm ...
8
votes
4answers
250 views
Ella Fitzgerald's rendition of A Night in Tunisia
I'd like to satisfy this little curiosity I've been entertaining in my brain. I've recently been really into Ella's songs, especially her renditions of classic jazz standards. Her version of A Night ...
3
votes
3answers
787 views
What are “MI7” and “MA7” chords?
Is it correct in this sheet that "A MI 7" means minor 7th (m7), "C MA 7" means major 7th (maj7) and just "C 7" means the dominant 7th?
0
votes
2answers
98 views
Can you help me understand what I am doing with these arpeggios?
I have a song with a part that I am wanting to play arpeggios over with the guitar. But just using the actual chord tones sounds boring to me. So I have started with an arpeggio pattern on the first ...
0
votes
2answers
94 views
extended chords to use for 12-bar blues [closed]
I'm wondering if the following two variations of 12 bar blues I'm using work for an arrangement for Mr. PC:
| Cm9 | Cm9 | Cm9 | Cm9 |
| Fm11 | Fm11 | Fm11 | Fm11 |
|Ab13(#11)| G9(#5) | Cm9 | Cm9 |
| ...
6
votes
2answers
280 views
Block chord style and appoggiaturas
I'm practicing block chord style using drop 2 voicing. I'm following the scale patterns in Mark Levine Jazz Piano Book, figure 19-8.
I'm using the tune All of Me for practical application.
In a ...
3
votes
4answers
406 views
How should this half-diminished seventh chord from “Christmas Time Is Here” be analyzed in terms of its harmonic function? [duplicate]
Hi everyone.
I'm working on an analysis of Christmas Time Is Here, which is in F major.
I'm trying to determine the best way to analyze the Bm7(♭5) chord circled in the image. I have 3 explanations ...
0
votes
1answer
199 views
Analysis of Bolivia by Cedar Walton [closed]
I am a guitarist learning jazz and our combo leader has given us Bolivia by Cedar Walton. I can play the head and the comping (barely) but I am completely lost about improvising in the A section. I ...
0
votes
3answers
110 views
How do you notate a blues scale?
I understand the concept of a blues scales and its structure. For example, the one I've been trying to write on sheet music is D Major blues. The scale contains the following: D E F F# A B
Now ...
12
votes
5answers
4k views
What are jazz pianists playing in the background?
When I wanted to learn some jazz piano (coming from classical), I came across recordings where the orchestration had horns playing a more melodic part and the piano playing chords and a more rhythmic ...
13
votes
2answers
461 views
How bluesy is Ravel's Blues actually?
The second movement of Maurice Ravel's second Violin Sonata (1922-1927) is titled Blues (example performance). Wikipedia claims it is inspired by jazz and blues music, and that Ravel had first-hand ...
11
votes
2answers
566 views
Where did “The Real Book” originally come from?
I saw my first copy of The Real Book when I was 15. The coolest, hippest, jazziest trumpet player I knew (he was 17 and knew who Miles Davis was) had a copy of this spiral-bound badge of savvy: a ...
3
votes
2answers
567 views
Are jazz songs in real book copyrighted? / How to check copyright of a piece? [closed]
As I know so many people covered Jazz standards. Are scores on real book copyrighted or everybody can cover them? Or how can one check if a piece is copyrighted or not?
I did some research online but ...
0
votes
3answers
232 views
Take 6: What chords are making this style so jazzy?
Unfortunately this question has been closed as off-topic:
What is this Chord Progression
But the arrangements from Take 6 sound very special and interesting to me: I couldn’t identify at “first sight” ...
5
votes
4answers
289 views
How do pianists think about chords?
Coming from guitar I have memorised many chord variations, and I felt this was acceptable as the shapes are the same along the neck (for most jazz chords). However, now that I’m learning piano I’m ...
0
votes
3answers
91 views
Two different symbols on Autumn Leaves sheet
Source
I rectangled these two notations on score.
What does these two notations mean?
4
votes
7answers
2k views
Is it possible to play jazz on a cello?
I'm writing articles for a website about music and musical instruments. Usually, our team writes about topics that have already been conceived. But sometimes we can suggest our own topics as well. I ...
7
votes
2answers
245 views
Slash Chord Symbols with chords on both sides of the slash
I just got hold of the 2006 Kurt Rosenwinkel transcriptions book and I'm looking through some of the lead sheets and getting confused by some chord symbols.
For example the chords for the first 8 bars ...
