A Crazy Little Thing Called... - Jazz Articulation and … · Web viewArticulation in a jazz band...
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Jazz Articulation and Swing Articulation in a jazz band setting can be different than in concert band. While the notations are the same in most cases, they carry special meanings and should be taught from the beginning of a student’s jazz experience. It is important to observe these special articulations in jazz because it contributes to the various styles of jazz – especially swing. “The Big Four” THESE FOUR ARTICULATIONS ARE THE FOUR MOST COMMONLY USED. SPECIAL ATTENTION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE PERFORMED CORRECTLY. Notation Description Examples Staccato – This note should be played short and not heavy Tenuto – This note should be played full value but not stressed Accent – Emphasize the note with full value
Transcript of A Crazy Little Thing Called... - Jazz Articulation and … · Web viewArticulation in a jazz band...
Jazz Articulation and SwingArticulation in a jazz band setting can be different than in concert band. While the notations are the same in most cases, they carry special meanings and should be taught from the beginning of a student’s jazz experience. It is important to observe these special articulations in jazz because it contributes to the various styles of jazz – especially swing.
“The Big Four”THESE FOUR ARTICULATIONS ARE THE FOUR MOST COMMONLY USED. SPECIAL ATTENTION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ENSURE THAT THEY
ARE PERFORMED CORRECTLY.
Notation Description ExamplesStaccato – This note should be played short and not heavy
Tenuto – This note should be played full value but not stressed
Accent – Emphasize the note with full value
Heavy Accent (Marcato) – Emphasize the note with less than full value
Check out these common rhythms and how to properly articulate them.
Written Interpreted
You can find a more comprehensive list of standard Jazz Ensemble Articulations here. (http://goo.gl/rh3Pfe)
Here are some important stylistic considerations for Jazz.
Ex. 1
Ex. 2
Ex. 3
Ex. 4
EX. 1 THE WRITTEN EXAMPLE.EX. 2 HAS ACCENTS ADDED WHERE THE PHRASE NATURALLY SPEAKS. EX. 3 IS WRITTEN TO VISUALIZE THE LENGTH OF THE ACCENTED NOTES, HOWEVER CARE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THIS IS STILL PLAYED AS A PHRASE.EX. 4 OBSERVE THAT THE ENDING NOTE IS A SHORT ACCENT.
Ex. 1
Ex. 2
Ex. 3EX. 1 THE WRITTEN EXAMPLE.EX. 2 THE INTERPRETATION.EX. 3 THE EASIER APPROACH FOR YOUNG STUDENTS.
And make sure to read through the nFame’s “The Jazz Commandments Jazz Style and Articulation Clinic” for detailed explanations.
(http://www.nafme.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/The-Jazz-Commandments-Handout.pdf)
Let’s Get Swingin’IN ORDER TO PLAY STYLISTICALLY CORRECT, THE NOTES MUST BE SWUNG. OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING VISUALIZATIONS ON SWUNG 8TH NOTES. THEY SHOULD ALL BE IDENTICAL.
The Tongue can help your swing
TONGUING PROPERLY IS KEY TO ESTABLISHING A SMOOTH SWING FEEL. YOU CAN ACHIEVE THIS QUICKLY BY ARTICULATING AS FOLLOWS.
Audio Example – Tenor Saxophone Concert Bb Scalehttps://goo.gl/OZci0f (Audio file also available in downloads)
THIS WILL QUICKLY HELP YOUR STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE A NATURAL SWING FEEL SINCE TONGUING ON THE OFF-BEAT NATURALLY ADDS A SLIGHT ACCENT. DO NOT ADD OR EMPHASIZE THE OFF-BEAT. KEEP A LIGHT TONGUE AND CONSTANT AIR.
There is an exception to this rule: Trombones don’t have valves so they must tongue every note.
Jazz tends to have a lot of unison melodies being played by multiple sections so continue to push for uniformity and clean articulations. Download the supplemental material to use with your band when discussing these concepts.
