Jazz standards

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Jazz standards

Jazz musicians often use the classic standard song repertoire from the first half of the twentieth century for their improvisations. 'I Got Rhythm' by Gershwin is a typical example. Although in a completely different style from the minuet above, its form is basically the same: AABA. Here's a tune in a similar style called 'Raising Standards.'

• Load form/raisings (Figure 4.4).

  Figure 4.4. raisings.lso

  

  
  

The Marker shows the form. Section A1 and A2 are both eight bars long. The difference between them lies in bars 15 and 16, in the A2 section, where the melody and harmony have been modified. Section B is a contrasting section, generally referred to by jazz musicians as the 'bridge.' The tune finishes with eight bars of A3. Again, things have been changed slightly to bring about the ending.

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