1920s

Question 1

Which artists where most prevalent during this time?

Answer 1

Jelly Roll Morton.
James P. Johnson.
Louis Armstrong.
Bix Beiderbecke.

Question 2

What characterises swing?

Answer 2

Syncopation (ragtime).
Articulation (accented, slurred, etc.).
Rhythmic stress on off-beats of bar.

Question 3

Where did the Charleston rhythm come from?

Answer 3

Spanish/Latin American rhythms: the ‘Habenera’ and the ‘Clave’.

Question 4

What is stride piano?

Answer 4

Large leaps in the left hand (low on the on-beats, high in the off-beats).

Question 5

What happens in New Orleans polyphony?

Answer 5

Collective improvisation: call and response, countermelodies, harmonic ‘weaving’, rhythmic punctuation.

Question 6

What instrument did Bix Beiderbecke play?

Answer 6

Cornet.

Question 7

What was the typical amount of players in a band of this period?

Answer 7

Six or seven.

Question 8

What typically made up the rhythm section?

Answer 8

Percussion, bass, comping instrument.

Question 9

What typically made up the frontline section?

Answer 9

Cornet/trumpet, reeds, trombone.

Question 10

What instrument usually made up the bass?

Answer 10

Brass instruments, like tuba or sousaphone.

Question 11

What are some key features of this musical style?

Answer 11

Collective improvisation (polyphony, countermelodies).
A strong 2 in the bar.
Trombone glissandi.
Big brass vibrato.