Jazz Notes

Jazz Terms

Gig = concert

Ax = your instrument

Head = melody section of a chart

Chart = song

Form – how music is organized

Jazz Terms

Common Jazz Forms - AABA Blues▪ I I I I▪ IV IV I I▪ V7 IV I I

Chord Progression – series of chords that form the harmony for a head and improvisation see above (commonly referred to as “the changes.”

Jazz Terms

Chorus – 1 section of improvisation, usually 8, 12, 16, or 32 measures. A Chorus follows the Form of the Head. 1 chorus of the blues = 12 measures. 1 chorus of AABA = 32 measures.

Modes

Ionian – Major scale Be bop – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7, 7, 1 Mixolydian – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7, 1 Dorian – 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7, 1 Blues – 1, b3, 4, b5, 5, b7, 1 Pentatonic – 1, 2, 3, 5, 6