Long listening assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Long listening assignment - Essay Example The signature line of this song involved the simultaneous playing of the tenor trumpet (Dizzy) and the alto Saxophone (Sonny) at a difference of an octave. The octave effect is pronounced all throughout the songs whenever the noted of the opening line notation is played. The opening line is played twice in the beginning of the piece and is used as a closing stanza in the performance. Another noteworthy feature of the opening lines is that when the trumpet-saxophone combination plays the notes the drums, bass and piano remain on mute, and when the trumpet-saxophone goes on mute, the drum, bass and piano repeat the same rhythm. This gives the jazz rendition a question-answer feel, as if the trumpet-saxophone combination was engaged in a conversation with the rhythm section of the jazz band. The opening line also known as the signature phrase or signature line of the jazz composition starts at 0:09 seconds of the video documentary. Dizzy Gillespie and Sonny Stitt are seen taking the cen tre front of the stage, leading the Jazz Quintet. The audience is quiet and well settled and seen enjoying the dextrous rendition of classical jazz of this Quintet. At the back row are the following artistes: pianist Lou, bassist Ray and drummer Gus lined up left to right. The composition is based on medium tempo on duple (4/4 rhythm). The first line is rendered from 0:09 to 0:35 seconds of the video. The signature line is repeated again from 0:35 to 1:05. The rhythm accompaniment begins at 1:00 on the completion of the first stanza or the opening stanza (consisting of 2 repetitions of the signature line). The first solo commences from 1:32. Dizzy Gillespie plays the first solo that sets the expectations from this musical piece. Once Dizzy starts playing the timbre, texture and original tonal quality of the trumpet can be identified. He starts playing from the higher octave. The notes played by Dizzy are clear, bold and distinct from one another. His style represents clarity and con fidence. He does well in varying the amplitude and therefore the emphasis on certain notes by controlling the air pressure through light whistles and hard blows into the trumpet pipe. Dizzy remain calm, composed and relaxed throughout the performance. He takes time from until 2:02 seconds playing with the tempo and at a slow pace. He is seen smiling at the audience and his fellow-performers, turning left to Sonny and saying something to him between 2:00 and 2:03 seconds of the video. He demonstrates stunning control over his instrument at 2:16 playing an impromptu solo, manoeuvring the trumpet keys and weaving a fantastic note progression involving chromatic note progression (i.e., playing consecutive notes to create a dissonance). From 2:35 to 2:45 Dizzy moves along with the rhythm and creates beautiful composition and at 2:46 he plays a dissonant pattern. Once again at 3:16 Dizzy pulls off an incredibly fast and tough solo putting the audience at awe. From 3:35 till 3:40 amplitude modulation is brought out in its best form by regulating the air pressure. Dizzy modulates the pitch and frequency with ease. At 3:46 he gracefully pulls of another sweep of note progression. A gradual descent in the form 4 repetitions down the higher and middle conclude his solo exactly at 4:00 of the video. At this point in time Sonny Stitt takes the centre stage with his solo on the saxophone. The