All Blues

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Melody

  • The head melody is quite simple, characterizing by using a rising 6th. This head tune is followed by 4 solos
  • Trumpet- Lasts for 4 choruses, made up of short syncopated motifs.
  • Alto Sax - Lasts for 4 choruses, uses quicker notes and a wider range.
  • Tenor sax- Lasts for 4 choruses. Uses quick scales and fast runs
  • Piano - Lasts 2 choruses and has a much calmer improvisation.
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Harmony and Tonality

  • Is in the key  G major but has a flattened 7th (blue note)
  • It is in mixolydian mode which is an example of modal jazz.
  • The chord sequence is known as changes.
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Instrumentation

  • The front line is made up of trumpet, alto and tenor sax.
  • In the rhythm section there is drums, bass and piano.
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Structure

  • All blues is  based on a 12 bar blues progression.
  • It uses a ‘head arrangement’ which is a structure often found in jazz, it is a chord progression memorised by the players.
  • Each of the soloists improvise in the choruses. 
  • The piece opens with an intro and ends with a coda.
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Texture

  • The texture is simple.
  • The wind instruments play in 3rds and 4ths.
  • The double bass plays simple riffs
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Rhythm, Metre and Tempo

  • Noted in 6/4, as it is a jazz waltz it can also be in 3/4.
  • It is performed with swinging quavers.
  • There is a frequent use of syncopation
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