Re: music to my ears
RBFST1 who-is-at vms.cis.pitt.edu
Fri, 20 Oct 1995 16:44:30 -0400 (EDT)
John,
Jazz is a very interestinng example. I've not had a chance to see
the Marsalis series. Jazz is an improvisatory music. However, what a
jazz musician plays on the spot is contrained by various things: the
chord structure of the piece she or he is improvising on, the tempo,
rhythm, and so forth. But within these constraints the musician can
create endless improvisations. The accompanying musicians know the same
language and are able to support the soloist. One of my cherished
recordings is of a rehearsal of the Benny Goodman sextet (circa 1941)
sans Goodman. Someone in the booth tells the musicians to "play the
blues in B." Immediatley they start playing this fantastic blues. Each
musician knew what playing in B meant, and each was familiar with the
standard blues chord changes. So knowing the constraints allowed them
the freedom to play within them.