THE head is the MAIN MELODY.
THIS IS THE SINGABLE, HUMMABLE PART OF THE TUNE THAT SETS THE STRUCTURE FOR IMPROVISERS TO SOLO OVER. this tune, autumn leaves, is considered a "jazz standard", a famous song that every jazz musician is expected to know.
each improviser takes a turn creating their own melody based around the chords of the tune. generally, improvisers play at least one chorus each. notice how chet shapes his solo around the core melody - how does he tell a story?
take note of the differences between each solo - how to paul desmond and chet baker sound compared to each other? how does paul desmond build on the original melody?
what do you think about the classic clav sound that bob james uses? how does he use repetition throughout his solo to build themes? notice how the drums change as he solos.
AFTER THE LAST IMPROVISER FINISHES THEIR SOLO, THE BAND REPEATS THE MELODY, ALSO KNOWN AS THE “HEAD OUT”. in this version, the players create a slightly different take on the original melody. notice how the notes and contours of the melody are the same, but the rhythms are varied to create a new mood.
THE head is the MAIN MELODY.
THIS IS THE SINGABLE, HUMMABLE PART OF THE TUNE THAT SETS THE STRUCTURE FOR IMPROVISERS TO SOLO OVER. this tune, autumn leaves, is considered a "jazz standard", a famous song that every jazz musician is expected to know.
these next few sections are the solos.
each improviser takes a turn creating their own melody based around the chords of the tune. generally, improvisers play at least one chorus each. notice how chet shapes his solo around the core melody - how does he tell a story?
here, paul desmond takes over.
take note of the differences between each solo - how to paul desmond and chet baker sound compared to each other? how does paul desmond build on the original melody?
this is the last solo of the tune.
what do you think about the classic clav sound that bob james uses? how does he use repetition throughout his solo to build themes? notice how the drums change as he solos.
AFTER THE LAST IMPROVISER FINISHES THEIR SOLO, THE BAND REPEATS THE MELODY, ALSO KNOWN AS THE “HEAD OUT”. in this version, the players create a slightly different take on the original melody. notice how the notes and contours of the melody are the same, but the rhythms are varied to create a new mood.