Video Listening Report #2 Name: ____________________________ ✓ Solved
Video Listening Report #2 Name: _______________________________________
MUS-2220 sec.001 Instructor: Weik Video Listening Report #2
Complete the following report for three selections from the assigned video concert:
Selection # 1
Title (if able): _____________________________
Tempo: fast, med, slow
Rhythmic Style (swing, Latin, rock, etc.): _________________
Meter (3, 4, 5, etc.): ____
Which instruments play the introduction? ______________________________________
Which play the melody during the head? ______________________________________
List the order of solos by instrument: _________________________________________
Drum solo? Trade 2’s, 4’s, extended solo? _____________________________________
Tempo changes? Double time, half time, etc. __________________________________
Describe the bass accompaniment (in 2, walking, interactive, etc.): __________________
Describe the ending (abrupt, tag, like the beginning, etc.): _________________________
Describe the form of the song: AABA, ABAC, Blues, Other____________
Note if you heard any: call & response, shout chorus, collective improv. stop time, etc. (Describe briefly) _________________________________________________________
Selection # 2
Title (if able): _____________________________
Tempo: fast, med, slow
Rhythmic Style (swing, Latin, rock, etc.): _________________
Meter (3, 4, 5, etc.): ____
Which instruments play the introduction? ______________________________________
Which play the melody during the head? ______________________________________
List the order of solos by instrument: _________________________________________
Drum solo? Trade 2’s, 4’s, extended solo? _____________________________________
Tempo changes? Double time, half time, etc. __________________________________
Describe the bass accompaniment (in 2, walking, interactive, etc.): __________________
Describe the ending (abrupt, tag, like the beginning, etc.): _________________________
Describe the form of the song: AABA, ABAC, Blues, Other____________
Note if you heard any (see above):____________________________________________
Selection # 3
Title (if able): _____________________________
Tempo: fast, med, slow
Rhythmic Style (swing, Latin, rock, etc.): _________________
Meter (3, 4, 5, etc.): ____
Which instruments play the introduction? ______________________________________
Which play the melody during the head? ______________________________________
List the order of solos by instrument: _________________________________________
Drum solo? Trade 2’s, 4’s, extended solo? _____________________________________
Tempo changes? Double time, half time, etc. __________________________________
Describe the bass accompaniment (in 2, walking, interactive, etc.): __________________
Describe the ending (abrupt, tag, like the beginning, etc.): _________________________
Describe the form of the song: AABA, ABAC, Blues, Other____________
Note if you heard any (see above):____________________________________________
Of what historical style(s) or chapter(s) from the text would this music be representative? In what ways did this experience differ from the first report? What other impressions do you have about this performance?
Your Signature____________________________
Paper For Above Instructions
The video listening report is a critical analysis that encourages students to engage deeply with musical selections. This task involves watching a specific concert video and documenting detailed observations regarding three selected performances. Each selection requires insights into tempo, rhythmic styles, instrumentation, solos, and overall musical form.
Selection #1 Overview
For Selection #1, the chosen piece is titled "Take Five" by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. The tempo of this jazz classic is medium, characterized by its signature 5/4 time signature that sets it apart. The rhythmic style is rooted in cool jazz, blending complex time signatures with melodic improvisation.
The introduction features the piano, creating a captivating rhythmic pattern that eases the listener into the melody. The melody during the head is played by the saxophone, which delivers a distinctly lyrical quality that contrasts with the rhythmic backdrop. Subsequently, the piano and drums take turns, presenting solos that alternate creatively, with a noticeable extended solo from the drums that highlights their improvisational skills.
Tempo changes are subtle, primarily keeping a consistent medium pace, with intricate variations that enhance the jazz feel. The bass accompaniment is interactive, providing both walking bass lines and responsive dialogue with the piano and saxophone. The ending of "Take Five" is abrupt, showcasing a sudden stop that leaves the audience captivated.
The form of the song follows a unique AABA structure, with the main theme being introduced and revisited. Notably, there are call-and-response elements between the saxophone and the piano, enriching the overall performance with depth and interaction.
Selection #2 Overview
Selection #2 features "So What" by Miles Davis. This piece is similar in tempo, maintaining a medium pace that allows for exploration of modal jazz elements. Opening with a deep, resonant bass introduction, the trumpet then carries the melody, exhibiting a raw emotion that captures the essence of the piece.
The order of solos begins with the trumpet, followed by the tenor saxophone, and returning to the trumpet for a secondary solo that encourages interplay with the rhythm section. The drum solo is brief but impactful, using 2’s and 4’s for dramatic effect. This piece incorporates a few tempo changes, primarily in how the ensemble dynamics shift and adapt throughout the performance.
The bass plays a walking style, intertwining with the piano's comping rhythms that provide harmonic support. The ending of "So What" is reminiscent of its beginning, lending a cyclical feel to the performance. The form is established through the modal structure typical of Davis's work, encouraging collective improvisation and engaging the further use of stop time effects.
Selection #3 Overview
The final selection analyzed is "A Love Supreme" by John Coltrane. This track features a fast to medium tempo, incorporating spiritual jazz elements that enhance its emotional depth. The instrumentation opens with Coltrane on saxophone, joined by drums and bass, creating a lush sound palette that captivates the listener from the start.
The melody is presented by the saxophone, with a robust engagement from the rhythm section that supports but never overpowers. The order of solos is innovative, showcasing each musician’s strength with traded and extended solos particularly shining within the drum solo that adds to the overall improvisational quality. Tempo changes occur naturally, moving between fast and introspective moments, enriching the piece's narrative arc.
The bass accompaniment features interactive components, driving the piece forward with a walking style that aligns closely with Coltrane’s phrasing. The performance's ending is tag-like, softly fading with a reflective quality that resonates with the audience. The form is complex, weaving in and out of traditional jazz forms while infusing spiritual motifs reflecting Coltrane’s unique vision.
Historical Context and Personal Reflections
These selections collectively illustrate a variety of historical styles within jazz, from cool to modal and spiritual jazz. Each piece carries distinctive characteristics that are representative of the broader developments within jazz history, showcasing the genre's evolution and emotional expressivity. Comparatively, this experience differed from the first report in terms of depth and complexity, as the selected pieces showcased more intricate musical forms and improvisational styles. The profound emotional impact of selecting such personal and innovative performances has left a lasting impression of the power of jazz.
References
- Brubeck, D. (1959). Take Five. Columbia Records.
- Davis, M. (1959). So What. Columbia Records.
- Coltrane, J. (1965). A Love Supreme. Impulse! Records.
- Gioia, T. (2011). The History of Jazz. Oxford University Press.
- Hersch, B. (2001). Groundwork: An Introduction to Jazz History. Routledge.
- Holt, H. (2011). Jazz: The First 100 Years. Cengage Learning.
- Schuller, G. (1986). Early Jazz: Its Roots and Musical Development. Oxford University Press.
- Kerouac, J. (1959). On the Road. Viking Press.
- Mackey, D. (2003). Jazz: A History of America's Music. Penguin Books.
- Rusch, K. (2018). Jazz: A Comprehensive History. Prentice Hall.