Bill Evans Modal Jazz Techniques

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Modal jazz originated in the late 1950s. It gained a lot of exposure with the release of the album Kind of Blue. One major notable change is that chord progression was replaced by modes as a background harmonic rhythm in modal jazz. (Martin, Waters, p.178-79) An example of a mode is a Dorian mode. Dorian mode has the sixth note of the scale one-half step higher than minor scale. So a Dorian mode ranging from D to D is called a D dorian. (Hopkins Lesson 10) Common instruments used in Modal jazz includes piano, saxophone, trumpet, bass, and drums. Techniques commonly used in modal jazz include slow-moving harmonic rhythm, pedal points, the absent of chord progressions, etc. (Martin, Waters, p.178-79) “A pedal point is a repeated or sustained …show more content…

He is also a big contributor to modal jazz. One of his notable works is with Miles Davis in the recording of Kind of Blue album. Within the album, Bill Evans showcases his chord voicing, comping and graceful solo style. (Hopkins Lesson 10) Comping is the “improvisation of accompanying chords” (Hopkins Lesson 3a). Bill Evans demonstrates his style of comping and his solo style in “Flamenco Sketches”. He uses comping to connect and provided a smooth transition for each solo in Flamenco Sketches. We can also observe his chord voicing in “So What” and “Flamenco Sketches”. (Hopkins Lesson 10) Bill Evans is also known for his comping feint style. This is where he would almost match the rhythm of his right-hand improvisation using chords with his left hand. (jazzpianoconcepts.com) He showcases his style of improvising graceful solo in his piece “Peace Piece”. Bill Evans recorded most of his work in a group. One of his well-known trio is one with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian. During his trio, Bill Evans showcased his ability to essentially communicating with the bass and drums with his leaner playing style. (Hopkins Lesson 10) Of course, some of it can be attributed to LaFaro’s and Motian’s mastery on their respective

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