Questions tagged [jazz]
An original American music style that originated in the early 20th century by improvisation and syncopation.
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Writing rhythm/slash notation on a single line staff?
Slash and rhythm notation are common in jazz:
The use of the standard 5-line staff is perfect if you want to mix traditional and slash notation. However, if there is no need to spell out notes, it ...
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Does the jazz term 'head' refer to both instrumental and vocal themes?
For some reason I associate the term 'head' with bebop era and elaborate instrumental melodies, not with songs with lyrics. Does it sound natural to 'play the head' of a Tin Pan Alley song (which ...
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Is there a term for a solo break without the rest of the band stopping?
In jazz, a soloist often takes over after another soloist at the end of the previous chorus, rather than wait until the first measure of their own chorus. Essentially this is a pickup bar (or several ...
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How should I be "thinking" of jazz chord progressions?
I understand how pop music can create chord progressions by using I ii iii IV V vi vii° as a reference (if we're doing a song in a major key). For example, the famous I V vi IV progression.
But what ...
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Is there a way to write an AABA lead sheet without writing out the last A section?
Here's how I usually see the AABA form written out. Please note that the second A section (from the beginning to the second volta) and the third one (marked C) are identical. Is there a way to avoid ...
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Modal mixture- are ''avoid notes' a thing?
I know that in jazz, we have numerous scale options over any given chord.
If we have a C major 7 and want an alternative to playing C Ionian, we pick a different scale that has the same 3rd and 7th ...
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Do 'avoid' notes depend on register?
Looking at 'avoid' notes, it seems that the general rule is: do not play a note which is a minor second above a chord note e.g avoid F over a C major chord as this forms a minor 2nd interval with E.
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Rhythmically bound?
I'm wondering how bound I am to the (let's say in this case) 4/4 time in blues/jazz. Let's use the first two bars of Summertime in A minor (playing from a lead sheet). The notes are E C E. The last E ...
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Is it better or even possible to use one syllable for vocal improv (scatting) or is there a benefit to using multiple syllables?
I really want to be able to focus on just the pitch instead of lyrics of changing syllables when I do vocal improv. I’ve noticed that certain rhythms do not seem to flow as smoothly with one syllable ...
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Diminished/Half diminished
In jazz notation, the degree sign means a diminished chord, for instance CEbGb. A diminished 7 chord would be CEbGbBb? A half diminished chord, a degree sign with a slash, would be what?
How do you ...
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Does the melody of famous gypsy jazz standard Minor Swing start ON or BEFORE the beat?
I am referring to the 1937 version of the song.
Lead sheets say the melody starts on the first beat of the first bar (the A). And subsequent identical phrases also start on the first beat of the bar.
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Improvising if I don't hear anything in my "mind's ear"?
Ever since I recently discovered my total aphantasia, I've been really curious as to whether or not I can achieve musical success. Part of this, at least to me, is creating music. So far I've learned (...
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Can I Learn Ear Training Without the Ability to Audiate?
I asked a question a couple days ago along the lines of "can I become a pro musician if I can't audiate?", which was rightly met with some opposition. I appreciate the responses I got on ...
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What is this pointy curved ornament? [duplicate]
I don’t know what the pointy curved thing is; I’ve never seen it before until now.
If anyone could give me any advice that would be great.
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LilyPond – mark chords style
How can I get LilyPond to have colored chords frames in a handwritten style?
I think this is a known style but I have not found any more info about it. Very cool, very jazzy!
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