Jazz Glossary

Recordings produced in the 1920s-30s exclusively for African American audiences.

A piano, vocal, and band music form (c. 1890 and later) with syncopated melodies played over regular rhythmic emphasis in a left-hand bass moving at half the melodies' speed.

Scott Joplin, "Elite Syncopation"

The chorus at the end of every stanza in some pop songs (see pop song forms).

A name for different parts of a vocalist's or an instrument's range.

A Cuban musical form of various styles (Latin) based on the son.

Afro Cuba de Matanzas

Also "R&B." The adaptation of blues to small bands with wind instruments, and the merging of blues with riff melodies, and pop songs.

The chord progression for George Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm"; commonly used as a basis for improvisation.

George Gershwin, "I've Got Rhythm" early 1930s

Rhythm Changes

The instruments that function to provide the rhythmic foundation of a jazz group (bass, drums, keyboards, rhythm guitar, etc.) The contrast is to the saxophone section and brass sections).

Count Basie - Basie Boogie

A medium-sized cymbal that produces a loud and shimmering sound, and is used to set the fundamental swing pulse of most jazz performances.

Tony Williams with the Miles Davis Quintet (1967)

Short repeated melodic phrases that function rhythmically and sometimes even to undercut the harmonic structure of a musical piece.

The sharp, loud sound made by a stick striking the head and the rim of a snare drum simultaneously.

A quick upward glissando up to an intended tone.

A sustained sound on the drums produced by fast alternate strokes of the drum sticks.

A fast descending or ascending scale or line.