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pachanga

A rhythmic style and a dance developed in the 1950s and 1960s.

pantonal

Another name for atonality.

paraphrase improvisation

Decorating and reworking a melody or parts of a melody in different forms.

passing tone

A non-harmonic note that connects other notes that are harmonic

pedal

Also "pedal point." A tone, typically a bass tone, that is repeated or sustained while the harmony changes. (See also drone and vamp.)

perfect fifth

An interval of seven semitones.

phrase

A natural break or unit in a melody line, similar in function to a clause in a sentence.

pickup notes

The notes leading into a tune or a chorus.

pizzicato

The plucking of strings with the fingers.

polyphony

Music of several different melodic parts that support each other.

polyrhythm

Simultaneous use of different meters.

popular song forms

The American popular song form derives from a long history of European folk song, theater music, and light opera, and was modified in America by Broadway musicals, African American folk songs, the blues, and other musics. The most common popular song forms played in jazz are of the AABA, 32-bar type, the 32-bars divided into eight-bar phrases ("The Man I Love" or "I Got Rhythm" are typical).

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post-bop

A general term for many developments in jazz after the 1950s.

press roll

A drum roll (borrowed from marching band drumming) formed by a series of double-strokes of the drum sticks; the press roll is often used to end a phrase, or bring in or help a soloist exit.

progressive jazz

Modern jazz (c. 1945-1955); also music associated with the Stan Kenton Orchestra.

pulse

The basic beat of a performance

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