I. Bebop
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Parker Quartet
Gillespie & Roach
52nd Street
Thelonious Monk
Ella Fitzgerald
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A. The Music
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Bebop was at the forefront of jazz and went through its most concentrated growth and development from 1940 – 1955.1
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B. Instrumentation
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Bebop was primarily played by small groups (combos).
- A typical Bebop combo is comprised of two horns (e.g., trumpet and saxophone) and rhythm section (piano, bass, and drums).
- Although usually a quintet, Bebop combos can range in size from a trio (e.g., piano, bass, and drums) to a septet (e.g., three horns, guitar, and rhythm section - piano, bass, and drums).
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C. Jam Sessions
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Bebop, in large part, developed through jam sessions.
- Jam sessions are informal, non-rehearsed gatherings of musicians where they play together, challenge each other (who can "outplay" whom), and learn from each other.
- Jam sessions can be held anywhere (e.g., someone’s house, a bar, nightclub, etc.). Some of the most famous jam sessions in jazz history occurred at a nightclub called Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem in the 1940's.
- Bebop was, and still is, the music most played at jazz jam sessions because all the musicians need to know are the head (the song's main melody) and chords.
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D. Bebop vs. Big Band Swing
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Bebop is far more musically complex than its Big Band Swing forbearer.
- Tempos are often much faster (although the Bebop style can be played at any tempo).
- Bebop melodies are more intricate and difficult to play than swing melodies.
- Bebop musicians improvise far more complex solos than those of the Swing Era.
- Bebop requires musical virtuosity and artistry to play it.
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E. Art Music
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Whereas Big Band Swing was considered entertainment (i.e., dance music), Bebop was considered art music (like classical music, bebop was for listening only); Bebop musicians considered themselves artists, not merely entertainers.
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F. Bebop was primarily an African American invention.
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G. Scat Singing
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- Scat singing (AKA "scatting") is a type of singing whereby the vocalist imitates the style of Bebop jazz solos (as played by instrumentalists) using nonsense syllables. Scat solos, like their instrumental counterparts, are improvised.
- One of the most important scat singers was Ella Fitzgerald.
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H. Listening Examples
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Listen to examples of Bebop:
- Charlie Parker’s "Ko-Ko" and Dizzy Gillespie’s "Shaw 'Nuff" on The Instrumental History of Jazz
- Thelonious Monk’s "Blue Monk" and Ella Fitzgerald’s "How High the Moon" (click below)
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Audio Snippets
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Video Clips
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