An Analysis Of Miles Davis

Composition is referred to as musical ideas that has a form of structure. What makes a composition so good is all the various elements that goes along with it. Davis was more than just an extraordinary performer; he was also a dynamic composer, as being one who created compositions. Compositions typically include melody, harmonic structure, rhythm, and texture. Davis used all of these elements within his later compositions that had a lasting impact on generations to come.

During the Bebop era, Davis gained much experience in arranging music, so he was not new to arranging for other bands. When Davis just started performing in St. Louis, he was responsible for arranging an array of music for Eddie Randle 's band, the Blue Devils. “Miles emphasized

Many of his pieces consisted of long melodic lines, lack of space, and dense harmonies. An example of such a musical piece would be his most notable song entitled Donna Lee. Although that song is still a jazz standard until this day, Davis still needed work when it came to his composition skills which all changed when he met Gil Evans.

In the late 1940s, Davis met Gil Evans. Evans to many is seen as one of the most important jazz arrangers of all times. Alongside Miles Davis, he played a significant role in the development o f cool jazz, modal jazz, free jazz, and jazz fusion. Gil Evans was known for his ability to bring attention to impulsive improvisation within the structure of his arrangements. Evan’s took advantage of the rich textures between the various instruments and the use of harmonies.

When Evans first met Miles he told him that his music was very clustered and had way too many notes. Shortly after that, Evans began giving Miles orchestra and composition lessons. As time progressed Miles and other young bebop players met Evans home for jam sessions. The majority of the material that was played during those jam sessions were key elements that began the Birth of the Cool era. Throughout Davis’ and Evans collaborative work, there were a number of characteristics that Miles implemented into his compositions that he learned from Gil