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An Analysis of Dave Holland's Free Improvisation in "Waterfall" and Its Pedagogical Applications for Bassists in Avant-Garde Performance

This research investigates a microcosm of the free jazz/free improvisation environment of the 1970s in "Waterfall," from the album Dave Holland/Sam Rivers Vol. 1. This recording features Dave Holland and Sam Rivers exhibiting highly developed improvisational language and effortless interaction. The purpose of this investigation is to create pedagogical material for bassists who are unfamiliar and/or uncomfortable with performing in an improvisational style that exists separately from the rigid, instrumental role hierarchy of common practice jazz. An analysis of musical elements including melody, rhythm, form, and energy through systems of musical contour, musical forces, and form analysis reveal constituent patterns that can be isolated. These patterns are codified and presented as pedagogical suggestions to assist in the practice of free improvisation.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc1609128
Date12 1900
CreatorsHeffner, Steven (Bassist)
ContributorsSeaton, Lynn, Schwarz, David, 1952-, Murphy, John P. (John Patrick)
PublisherUniversity of North Texas
Source SetsUniversity of North Texas
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis or Dissertation
Formatviii, 69 pages : illustrations, music., Text
RightsPublic, Heffner, Steven (Bassist), Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights Reserved.
RelationRecital: October 30, 2017. ark:/67531/metadc <not yet digitized>, Recital: November 10, 2016. ark:/67531/metadc <not yet digitized>, Recital: March 21, 2017. ark:/67531/metadc <not yet digitized>

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