Modes Within Jazz

Modes Within Jazz

Different types of modes

The different types of modes mainly used in improvisational jazz are Ionian which starts on the first degree of the major scale if you are looking at the stave from C major scale, Dorian which starts on the second note of the major scale, Phrygian which is on the third note and so on from the Lydian, Myxoldian, Aeolian to the Locrian which starts on the seventh note.

Why modal jazz is used in improvisational jazz

Many musicians say that within modal jazz there's more space for your own input whereas in other types of jazz like bebop for example they feel the progression is a lot more unnatural. It's also said it can be played in almost any musical situation. Improvising with modal jazz makes the person playing to use melody, rhythm, timbre and emotion since modal makes the use of chords almost useless. Chords are still used but with less emphasise.

History of modal Jazz

Miles Davis is a key figure in modal jazz, In his single Milestones his A sections were played in the G dorian scale and his B sections played in the A aeolian scale, he was one of the first to do this and this was a crucial point in jazz alongside the release of his album Kind of Blue. 

Midpoint Evaluation & Notes

Midpoint Evaluation

Explain midpoint evaluation, e.g half way through we decided it would be good to present our research to recieve feedback from the class. from this midpoint presentation you could say. From my midpoint presentation I realised that quite a bit of what I was researching would mean nothing if I didn't research deeper. For example I am researching modal Jazz but it could be more useful to research the different modes so I have a better understanding of modal Jazz and all the different types of Jazz like bebop. Furthermore looking more into the different types of improvisational Jazz could also benefit me. In addition it was also brought to my attention that I could research more into electronic fusion Jazz as that's what one of the artists I am research; Herbie Hancock who is a main part of research focuses on.

Case Study on individual songs

Miles Davis So What

Miles Davis' So what starts off in D dorian mode which means it uses the notes of the C major scale but starting on D. After 8 bars it switches to E dorian which has 5 flats and returns to D dorian after 4 bars, this sequence replays throughout the song. Since Miles Davis' Kind of Blue album is mainly improvised, a lot of people doing covers or trying to replicate the song will have to add their own improvisation. Below is the chord sheet of Miles Davis' So What. Many people will say that the riff in So What, is what makes the improvisation so interesting, due to how harmonic it is. I think many people think the riff plays this role so well because between the bass and the rest of the instruments, even though they're not playing at the same time, it's almost like a conversation being led by the bass. So the bass plays what is known as the antecedent phrase, this phrase is followed by the consequent phrase which is played by the rest of the instruments. This is a really interesting aspect that Miles Davis added to the majority of his songs on Kind of Blue, i wish to add this idea to my own work and maybe slightly change the mode it's played in. It was reissue produced by Michael Cuscuna and the remix engineer was Mark Wilder. It is said that So What was recorded in two days and in one take even though the band were given little instructions and we're newly formed. His band for So What consisted of Julian Adderley who played the alto saxophone, John Coltrane who played the tenor saxophone, Bill Evans who played the piano, Paul Chambers on the bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums. 

Nina Simone Feeling Good

Nina Simones feeling good doesn't change key, it plays in G minor as seen below, this pattern is the same throughout the song. I think this is done because the instrumental is fairly simple but the singing is what holds the thickness of the song. The song was written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse. It was produced by Hal Mooney. Furthermore in my piece which will be influenced by Feeling Good I plan to make sure the vocals play the key part they do in Feeling Good. I think this is important because without the vocals i don't think the song would be as powerful as it is or hold the smooth jazz feel it has. The other sheet of music below is  a look at how other people may try to play feeling good but in D minor which is quite interesting.

Herbie Hancock Cantaloupe Island
Much like Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock's style is very improvised. However whilst Miles Davis uses a modal style of Jazz, Herbie Hancock uses a range between the bebop jazz and electronic fusion. He is said to be one of the most renown artist for electronic fusion as from early in his career he used a Rhodes electronic piano and continued to increase his collection of synthesizers.