Alone : an analysis of Bill Evans's solo piano style in 1968. / text

Thesis (D.M.A.)--University of Kansas, 1979. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-104).

The purpose of this study was to design and develop instructional units for teaching jazz piano comping to collegiate music students possessing basic piano skills but limited experience in jazz performance. In establishing bases and rationale for the instructional units, a number of issues were considered. These issues were (1) the need for teaching jazz piano comping, (2) a definition and explanation of the musical elements and characteristics of jazz and jazz comping, (3) an understanding of the African and European transmission traditions and musical characteristics that contributed to the development of jazz, (4) a review of literature relating to jazz piano comping, including jazz, music teaching and learning, and learning theory literature, and (5) a review of jazz piano comping practice from the swing era to the present, as reflected in the work of selected central jazz pianists. The twenty-four instructional units present basic harmonic and rhythmic materials of jazz piano comping. Harmonic materials include seven basic chord structures, harmonic extensions and alterations, upper-structure triads, II-V-I cadences, tritone substitution, chord successions, and typical chord progressions. Rhythmic materials include typical jazz rhythms. Each instructional unit is comprised of (A) presentation of a theoretical concept, (B) exercises for learning the particular concept, (C) a chord progression containing the particular concept, (D) a list of recorded examples of the chord progression for examination, and (E) suggested song titles for realization by the student. The instructional units are organized into four chapters of six units each. Instructional Units I through VI focus on individual voicings, organized into cycles of descending fifths. Units VII through XII focus on the II-V-I cadence and tritone substitution. Units XIII through XVIII focus on short chord successions. Units XIX through XXIV serves as a "summing up" of material presented in the first eighteen units. Overall, this work is designed to guide the student to technical proficiency, theoretical understanding, idiomatic fluency, and a creative approach to jazz piano comping. / School of Music

Thesis--Case Western Reserve University. / Complete solo discography: leaves 461-482, v. 1. "Cat. no.: 78-16468." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 409-416, v. 1). Art Tatum discography: leaves 1-110, v. 2.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Florida, 1986. / Description based on print version record. Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 243-248).

Dissertation (D.M.A.)--The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2009. / Directed by John Salmon; submitted to the School of Music. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed May 11, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 150-159).

This study develops a method for analyzing jazz piano music, primarily focusing on the era 1935-1950. The method is based on axiomatic concepts of jazz harmony, such as the circle of fifths and root position harmonies. 7-10 motion between root and chordal seventh seems to be the driving force in jazz motion. The concept of tritone substitution leads to the idea of a harmonic level, i.e., a harmony's distance from the tonic. With this method in hand, various works of music are analyzed, illustrating that all harmonic motion can be labelled into one of three categories. The ultimate goal of this analytic method is to illustrate the fundamental harmonic line which serves as the harmonic framework from which the jazz composer builds.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Harvard University, 1983. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [351]-360). Discography: leaves 360-361.

Vince Guaraldi (1928-1976) was a jazz pianist who achieved tremendous financial and commercial success in the 1960s with his popular recordings and his work for the Peanuts animated shorts. He cultivated a musical style that drew from several identifiable sources: boogie-woogie, bebop, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban jazz, and rock ‘n' roll. The result was a distinct approach to jazz which, although it may not have been as influential as that of some of his contemporaries, nevertheless constituted a unique and personal voice—what several commentators have referred to as the "Guaraldi sound." This dissertation considers the entire range of Guaraldi's recorded output in order to define and catalog many elements that contributed to Guaraldi's musical style. Using an analytical framework drawn from the work of Leonard Meyer and Benjamin Givan, this study describes both Guaraldi's improvisational style—the licks, patterns, and phrases that he plays while soloing—and common elements of his compositions—the chord progressions, grooves, and other features that are particularly idiomatic. Also discussed are Guaraldi's status within the established jazz canon and the disparity between his widespread popularity and his lukewarm critical reputation. The discussion and analyses provide useful insights for fans of Guaraldi, fans of Peanuts music, jazz musicologists, and any seeking to emulate the Guaraldi sound.