Chord Tones in Bb Blues Solo

Bob Sinicrope
Bob_Sinicrope@Milton.edu
Milton Academy

TI:ME Technology Areas Addressed:

Notation

Level:

High School

Class:

Instrumental

Equipment:

Computer, Coda Notepad, Internet access

Duration:

20 Minutes

Prior Knowledge and Skills:

They have to be able to read notes on the staff and know chord tones for Bb7, Eb7, F7

MENC Standards Addressed:

MENC 3: Improvising melodies, harmonies, and accompaniments.
MENC 5: Reading and notating music.
MENC 6: Listening to, analyzing and describing music.

Materials:

Computer Internet and e-mail access to e-mail CODA Notepad A transcription of a Bb Blues Jazz Solo

Bb Eb Triad Voice Leading Sheet (Finale)
Bb7 Eb7 Voice Leading Sheet (Finale)

Objectives:

To show the students how prominently chord tones are used in many jazz solos. To recognize and identify chord tones in a jazz solo.

Procedures:

Students will be e-mailed a copy of a transcription of a simple Bb Blues solo. They will be asked to identify what notes from the first chorus of this solo are chord tones and which specific chord tones are being played.

Evaluation:

I will send them a version of the solo with the chord tones identified on the computer version and the non-chord tones hidden from view. They can compare their results with mine.

Follow Up:

The students could analyze the additional solos which might be more harmonically challenging.