Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• SCHENKEL, STEVEN MICHAEL

Titel

A GUIDE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF IMPROVISATIONAL SKILLS IN THE JAZZ IDIOM

Ort / Verlag

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses

Erscheinungsjahr

1980

Quelle

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• The objective of this dissertation is to provide a method for study of the tools of jazz improvisation, designed for the student with little or no music theory background. The introductory chapter embellishes a need for this type of text by examining presently existing methods. The method itself begins with an examination of six basic chord and scale types: major, minor, dominant seventh, diminished, half diminished and augmented. These, as well as most of the other topics in this method, are treated in three different ways, each lending itself to the student's total comprehension of the material. The "Theory" sections provide theoretical and analytical data, and contain numerous musical examples. The "Ear Calisthenics" sections are aural exercises--literally gymnastics for the ear. The "Performance" sections consist of short chord progressions for improvisation, designed to facilitate the application of the tools presented in the accompanying chapter. Upper intervallic structures of chords are examined. Literally all common jazz chords are analyzed, and examples are supplied on all chromatic pitches. Advanced improvisatory techniques are presented in great detail. These include use of non-harmonic tones, modes of the major scales, pentatonic scales, half-whole scales, modes of the ascending melodic minor scale, additive scales, substitute scales. Modern jazz concepts discussed include quartal harmony, playing "outside" of the chord progressions, and free playing. Methods of effective solo construction are discussed, and nine musical devices which create structural intensification are explained. The method concludes with an extensive, annotated discography, designed to guide the student's study of the significant musicians and styles of jazz history.