AOS 3 ALL BLUES MILES DAVIS

Basic facts about ALL BLUES This track is from the ALBUM KIND OF BLUES which was recorded in one take in NY in 1959 Line-up is trumpet /alto sax / tenor sax / piano/bass / drums Unusually for Jazz the time signature is 6/4 and is marked JAZZ WALTZ This is MODAL JAZZ – this means that rather than relying on complicated chord patterns the harmony focuses on a MODE or scale and the improvised solos are freer

KIND OF BLUE 1959

The recording MILES DAVIS gave his band for this track the minimum of preparation before they went into the studio in New York in 1959 They got given some scales ( MODES) and melody lines to improvise on Each track including this one on the album had only one take and the whole album was recorded in just 2 sessions. However all the musicians were at the height of their playing abilities

The band- MILES DAVIS- trumpet CANNONBALL ADDERLEY-alto sax JOHN COLTRANE-tenor sax JIMMY COBB-drums BILL EVANS –piano PAUL CHAMBERS -bass

This is the chord pattern for ALL BLUES 4/4 G7 G7 G7 G7 C7 C7 G7 G7 D7#9 Eb7#9-D7#9 G7 G7 Notice there are DOMINANT sevenths used and that the last line has ALTERED chords where basically the harmony is made more interesting by adding notes

Structure of ALL BLUES INTRO HEAD – this is where the original tune or melody is played IMPROVISED SOLOS-trumpet / alto sax / tenor sax / piano HEAD- the main theme returns OUTRO-this fades out

RIFFS – what are they? A RIFF is a short rhythmic ostinato- very common in Jazz, Blues & Pop. KIND OF BLUE uses 3 short riffs The first G D ED F DED is on Double Bass The second the alto and tenor saxes play in the intro in 3rds (in harmony) D/B E/C F/D E/C

THE INSTRUMENTS & THEIR ROLES The RHYTHM section provides the harmony and rhythmic background- in this case it is the DRUMS / BASS / PIANO The frontline instruments are TRUMPET,ALTO SAXOPHONE & TENOR SAXOPHONE THE WORD COMPING means accompanying- playing the background chords & rhythms

KEYWORDS MODAL JAZZ COMPING HEAD MORDENT CHANGES TRILL CHROMATIC VOICINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THE DEFINITIONS FOR THESE KEYWORDS

JAZZ KEYWORDS CHORD SUBTITUTION ALTERED CHORDS TURN AROUND EXTENDED CHORDS ALTERED CHORDS SEVENTH CHORDS YOU NEED TO KNOW THE DEFINITIONS FOR THESE KEYWORDS

YOU NEED TO... Make a table to show the different changes in the 12 bar blues sequence Bar 1 Bar 2 Bar 3 Bar 4 Bar 5 Bar 6 Bar 7 Bar 8 Bar 9 Bar 10 Bar 11 Bar 12

YOU NEED TO... Be aware of the different sections of the piece and the bars numbers with them. (understanding the structure of the piece) In each section, make sure that you know which instruments are playing (including rhythm section). Know the tonality (key) of the piece.

YOU NEED TO... Write out the notes that are in a G7 chord, C7 chord, Eb7#9 chord, and D7#9 chord. Know how many times the 12 bar sequence is played What interrupts the 12 bar sequence?

YOU NEED TO... Focus on the melody line played by Davis in the Head section. What does he use? What is the motif? Is it mainly stepwise movement or are there sudden leaps?

YOU NEED TO... Be aware of the subtle differences in each link passage (i.e. Saxes don’t play in a certain link passage). - Also instruments might drop out to let another to be in the spotlight before a solo.

YOU NEED TO... Listen to the different solos and write down features (i.e alto sax solo uses more chromatic notes than the trumpet solo). Is there any uses of vibrato? Does the piano player uses both hands in his solo?

IN THE EXAM, THEY MIGHT... Ask a question on who plays the instruments, other than Miles Davis on the trumpet. Want you to compare 2 solos played on different instruments (even though it’s not in the score, use your ears) Include a question about rhythmic devices used in the piece.

NEXT LESSON (MONDAY) You MUST bring the work you have done for this PowerPoint. We will finish analysing this piece on Monday’s lesson.