7/25/2019 L1A Solo Analysis

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Lesson 1 Assignment – Solo Analysis on What is this thing called love

This is a fast tempo solo (about 197bpm) in swing style, which is comprised of single-note melodies

(over some acompanying chords). t can be divided into several sections, roughly outlined by the

tune!s ""#" harmonic structure, where each of the sections can also be seen as a set of call and

response.

$et!s give an overview of the solo to mention the main elements%

The first " is made up of two four-measure phrases of mostly eighth notes progressing in semitones.

The directions of these melodies are broadly symmetrical, as shown below, which partly accounts

for the sense of call and response we perceive. "t the end of that fragment there!s an ascending

 pattern of three descending minor thirds leading to the ne&t section.

n that second " we find a repetitive pattern throughout the first phrase consisting of an eighth note

tied to an eighth-note triplet, which ascend chromatically (e&cept the last group, which descends).

"nd then a melody closer to those of the preceding section, but with some pauses in the middle.

"gain, the end of this section features an ascending pattern of three identical intervals, an ascending

minor second, this time.

The main contrast in the solo, both rhythmic and melodic, is between the dense " sections and the

sparser #' here we find several wide intervals of a si&th, mainly in a rhythmic pattern of an eighth

note followed by a uarter note. "nd there!s a chromatic bit that reminds us of the other sections. n

this case, maybe we can see shorter parts of call and response, made of two measures each.

inally, the solo comes bac* to a chromatic descending melody with several ascending leaps until it

reaches the highest point of the solo (g+). This is followed by a three-note rhythmic pattern which

ends up resolving into a long diatonic scale.

Martí Arnau