Changing changes: a comparative harmonic analysis between recordings of seven popular jazz standards

Small, Jonathan

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122987 Copy

Description

Title

Changing changes: a comparative harmonic analysis between recordings of seven popular jazz standards

Author(s)

Small, Jonathan

Issue Date

2024

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Gray, Larry

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Gray, Larry

Committee Member(s)

• Pugh, Jim
• Spencer, Joel
• Hagan, Kerry

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)

• Harmony
• Jazz
• Standards
• Chords
• Transcription
• Bebop
• Changes
• Reharmonization

Language

eng

Abstract

This essay compares and contrasts the harmonies played on well-known jazz recordings with the goal of highlighting variation in harmony. It includes harmonic transcriptions of either three or four recordings for each of seven standards: “‘Round About Midnight,” “Bye Bye Blackbird,” “My Old Flame,” “Willow Weep For Me,” “Come Rain Or Come Shine,” “My Romance,” and “April In Paris.” It also includes analysis of harmonic choices and the main points of divergence between recordings. Finally, it presents shared insights pertaining to song form and reharmonization as shown across all the examined tunes. This essay focuses primarily on substantial differences in key center, modulation, fundamental chord quality, and harmonic rhythm. It analyzes harmonic contrasts that go beyond routine substitutions or embellishments, focusing instead on harmonic passages that are almost completely incompatible when compared between recordings. Such differences conclusively prove that standards do not have any authoritative or singularly correct set of chord changes. The analyses in this paper demonstrate that variations in harmony between interpretations of the same tune are often more than just substitution; rather they are carefully considered harmonic choices that change the fundamental functions within the chord progression. The harmonic analyses in this paper also serves as a model for how jazz musicians can interpret standards in a comprehensive and inclusive way. This method examines and then reveals the main points in any song’s form where musicians commonly reinterpret the harmony—which is invaluable knowledge for playing improvisatory collaborative music like jazz.

Type of Resource

text

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2024 Jonathan Small

Owning Collections