University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Decoding McCoy: A pedagogical approach to modern jazz piano

Fuentes Valverde, Jesus Andres

This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113762

Description

Title
Decoding McCoy: A pedagogical approach to modern jazz piano
Author(s)
Fuentes Valverde, Jesus Andres
Issue Date
2022
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Stephens, Chip
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Stephens, Chip
Committee Member(s)
  • Eagen-Jones, Megan
  • Tsitsaros, Christos
  • Spencer, Joel
Department of Study
School of Music
Discipline
Music
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
A.Mus.D. (doctoral)
Keyword(s)
  • McCoy Tyner
  • modal
  • jazz
  • piano
  • pedagogy
Language
en
Abstract
McCoy Tyner is undoubtedly the most influential jazz pianist in the modern era, defining the modern piano aesthetic for generations to come. This document aims to define the key elements of McCoy Tyner’s creative artistry and provide exercises that foster pianistic technique, cultivate creativity, assisting in the internalization of harmonic, rhythmic, and linear concepts used by McCoy. This document contains analyses of three solos from different points in his career that I identified as best summarizing his playing, or rather are most dense with the musical devices that are used throughout the document to exemplify his modern jazz piano approach. Selections include “Resolution” from the 1965 album A Love Supreme during his tenure with the John Coltrane Quartet, “Isotope” from the 1966 album Inner Urge with Joe Henderson, and “Passion Dance” from his 1967 album as a bandleader The Real McCoy. These recordings are revered as pivotal moments in jazz history that shaped the future of jazz and crystalized a new modern sound.
Type of Resource
  • text
  • still image
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113762
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2022 Jesus Andres Fuentes Valverde

Owning Collections

Doctoral Project Theses [Option 2] - Music PRIMARY