HUBERT LAWS: THE INFLUENCE OF CLASSICAL TONE, AND TECHNIQUE ON IMPROVISATIONS FOR THE JAZZ FLUTIST AND WOODWIND SPECIALIST

Nelson, Oliver, Jr.

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Description

Title

HUBERT LAWS: THE INFLUENCE OF CLASSICAL TONE, AND TECHNIQUE ON IMPROVISATIONS FOR THE JAZZ FLUTIST AND WOODWIND SPECIALIST

Author(s)

Nelson, Oliver, Jr.

Issue Date

2016

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

McNeill, Charles

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

McNeill, Charles

Committee Member(s)

• Lund, Erik
• Keeble, Jonathan
• Bashford, Christina

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)

• Hubert
• Laws
• jazz
• music
• imporovisation
• technique
• Oliver
• Nelson

Language

en

Abstract

Many aspire to excellence in musical performance, yet few performers are able to achieve it, much less raise the standard of excellence. Hubert Laws is one of those rare performers who has been able to raise the level of excellence as a jazz flutist. His approach to the flute includes a beautiful tone and outstanding technique, which has influenced the way jazz is performed on the instrument and has inspired a generation of artists and listeners. This scholarly essay examines Hubert Laws’ incorporation of classical technique and tone quality in his jazz improvisations and is intended to assist the jazz flutist and woodwind specialist in the development and utilization of these attributes in their improvisational performance. I demonstrate the importance of classical flute training to the woodwind specialist and jazz flutist by analyzing Laws’s transcribed solos, and I discuss the classical flute tone and techniques he used and how he used them. I provide information gained from a personal interview with Laws and other jazz flutist and woodwind specialist. I present a biographical overview of his life, and I offer exercises to help woodwind specialist and jazz flutists develop their tone and technique. By showing how Laws was successful as an internationally recognized jazz flutist and classical flutist in a major orchestra, I argue that the adoption of classical tone and technical skills will benefit both the woodwind specialist and jazz flutist who want to be more proficient playing the flute, along with enhancing jazz improvisation skills. Ultimately, this essay will help flutists combine classical techniques with jazz improvisation to achieve excellence in a jazz context.

Type of Resource

text

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