Date of Award
Spring 2020
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Music
Department
School of Music
First Advisor
Dr. Samantha Inman
Second Advisor
Dr. Stephen Lias
Third Advisor
Dr. Deb Scott
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Mario Morera
Abstract
This thesis compares traditional and modern jazz improvisation through analysis. These analyses discuss various musical techniques and ideas specific to each differing era. The case studies focus on three traditional jazz standards: "Autumn Leaves," "Someday My Prince Will Come," and "Cantaloupe Island." Two solo transcriptions (one traditional and one modern) represent each tune, including performances by Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Paul Desmond, Herbie Hancock, Yohan Kim, and Cory Henry. The older transcriptions showcase classic chord-scale relations, diatonic chord harmony, consistent rhythms with spacious phrasing, and recalled material. The newer transcriptions consist more of dense harmony, scales independent from the composed material, unpredictable, complex rhythms, and continuous new material. Note-worthy discussion points will include arpeggiation, chord-scale and modal theory, reharmonization in chord substitution, and varying rhythm in phrasing.
Repository Citation
Johnson, Ryan M., "COMPARING TRADITIONAL AND MODERN TRENDS IN JAZZ IMPROVISATION" (2020). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 312.
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/312
Creative Commons License
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