JAZZ Music Terminology

The style of the late 50s, still essentially Bebop, with urban blues, rhythm n blues and gospel

A transitional passage in which a soloist plays unaccompanied.

The chords of a tune, intended for improvising which may vary from the changes of the head.

The piano, bass and drums in a combo, those who play throughout the tune, behind the soloists.

The jargon of hipsters.

In the ??? means perfectly in time, especially bass playing that is 'in the center' of the beat

A pre-planned melodic figure, repeated at different pitch levels.

A term used by the Beboppers to deride players and fans of older styles, especially traditional

A composed section at the beginning of a tune, heard only once.

The most common form in pop music. Typical of songs by Gershwin, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, etc

A time feel twice as fast, so eighth notes sound like 1/4 notes, but chords go the same speed

Pertaining to scales of 5 notes to the octave, in particular 1-2-3-5-6 of the major scale.

The fundamental pitch on which a chord is based, from which the chord takes its name.

The usual term for 'improvise.' Also, simply to play an instrument.

Technical ability, to execute music physically and to negotiate chord changes.

One complete cycle of a tune, one time through from top to bottom.

A snatch of some other well-known tune thrown into a solo.

The root, third, fifth and seventh of a chord as opposed to extensions

The style of Jazz developed by young players in the early 1940s - Parker/Gillespie/Powell

A superior player

Any member of a band or small group other than the leader.

The contrasting middle section of a tune, especially the 'B' section of an AABA song form.

A tune universally accepted and played by many Jazz musicians.

A tune composed by a Jazz musician and played by him but perhaps not well-known to others.

The last chorus of a tune, when the head is played for the last time.

The first (and last) chorus of a tune, in which the song or melody is stated w/o improvisation.

In bass playing, mostly one note per beat, making a smooth, continuous quarter-note line.

The chords to 'I Got Rhythm' (Gershwin), modified and simplified.

The ninth, eleventh and thirteenth of a chord.

One's instrument. Even said of the voice.

The process of displacing 'expected' beats by anticipation or delay of one-half a beat.

A single Jazz composition or Jazz performance, a piece. The word 'song' is frowned on.

Keenly aware of or knowledgeable about life's developments, especially in the arts.

To practice diligently.

The process of creating fresh melodies over the repeating cycle of chord changes of a tune.

A simple section like a riff, designed to be repeated often, especially at the start of a tune.

With equal, even 8th notes. Same as 'Latin'.

'Playing' or 'running' the ??????? means using scales, etc., over each given chords of the tune