 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2007-01-25 22:25
At the intro of a song, the trumpet player plays the melody.
Someone said, the clarinet should play 1/3 up and the trombone player should play 1/3 down.
What does that mean? Thanks.
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Author: ken
Date: 2007-01-26 05:17
Hi Carol, in all modern Dixieland idioms, weather it New Orleans Traditional, West Coast Revival, Kansas City Stomp or Chicago styles, the Trumpet / Cornet normally plays the common melody throughout the entire form. The front-line lead instruments, (i.e., clarinet or saxophone and trombone) provide the contrapuntal melody.
A good example of contrapuntal melody is the Original Dixieland Jazz Band on, "Clarinet Marmalade") http://www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B000002WTQ002007/ref=mu_sam_wma_002_007/002-2115991-1084849
Without delving too deep into sociology, more distinctive styles within the Dixieland later evolved that stressed a single melodic line rather than counterpoint … Bix Beiderbecke's music is a prime example.
Depending on the arrangement, ANY instrument can sing / play the intro of a piece. As for the 1/3 reference, it could mean the clarinet plays up a maj 3rd from the melody and the trombone follows suit playing down a min 3rd. This is more of an "ensemble style" mixed with front-line open improv.
A good example of ensemble style improv is King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band's "Froggie Moore")
http://www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B000005R5L001008/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_008/002-2115991-1084849
This is of course, NOT polyphonic improvisation but engaging in 3 part harmony or parallel chordal progression. Regardless of the jazz style and textures used, if musical ideas are not freely enunciated and transformed into on-the-spot composition I don't regard it as true improvisation.
v/r Ken
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-01-26 14:27
To hear some "quite Traditional" and more modern Dixie TONIGHT, tune into NPR FM Radio at 9 PM CST, for an hour of fine playing "From the Landing" at San Antonio's Riverwalk. Having enjoyed several hours of their "style" a few weeks ago, I heard Jim C on cornet set the tune, with fine cl playing by Ron Hockett [on Selmers] and other improv on "old standards" etc, and have listened to a variety of other tunes, with guests at times, on Radio nearly every Fri eve since. There is available a Zep Meissner set [8] of familiar Dixieland tunes which I enjoy playing in small groups, which would give you a good look at different harmonizations, with a 4 front line [tenor sax added] and, I'm sure, many more written-out arrangements by well known musicians. Ad-libbing [even my minor attempts] is much fun. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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