Pitch set construction and application to improvised solos
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Research Statement
Research Background
This research in jazz music improvisation draws upon the work of Alan Forte and Fred Lerdahl, and engages the original Melodic Tension Rating tool (MTR) I developed through my PhD study. Within this study, multiple small group pitch sets were constructed using the MTR tool to match a predesigned melodic tension rating. These pitch sets were then applied in different improvised manners – one following another, individual sets combined to create larger pitch sets or one used as a primary set, while others were interjected to ‘interupt’ the primary set. A range of melodic tension ratings were explored, allowing for reflection on the effect of multiple dissonances, or rapid movement between dissonance and consonance.
Research Contribution
The improvised experimentation using pitch sets with various melodic tension ratings yielded new approaches to melodic construction, both spontaneously improvised, and composed. Aligning with my previous research into tension ‘masking’, this research exposed approaches that enable novel melodic content that encompasses extreme dissonance to intertwine with consonance in a way that enhances the amount of non-diatonic chromaticism within melodies, while maintaining a sense of underlying consonance within the lines. Combining unconventional groups of pitch sets also enabled the development of hybrid scales that offer a range of tension ratings for melodic development in improvised solos.
Research Significance
The approaches developed within this research were applied to multiple high-profile performances in 2020, including the London Jazz Festival, Perth International Jazz Festival and the Paris Cat Jazz Club in Melbourne. The understanding gained throughout this process will also feed into further development of novel music theory and analysis approaches for teaching and academic writing on this topic.
Keywords
music performance, music, jazz
Non-Traditional Research Output
Live Performance
Document Type
Non-Traditional Research Output
Date of Publication
2020
School
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
RAS ID
35944
Event Dates
February 21-22; March 19, August 12/31, November 7-8, 2020
Event Venue
London Jazz Festival, Paris Cat Jazz Club, Ellington Jazz Club, Perth International Jazz Festival
Additional Information
Eight performances
DOI Statement
The DOI refers to the repository metadata record only and serves as a documentation identifier.
Recommended Citation
Oehers, J. (2020). Pitch set construction and application to improvised solos. [music performance]. https://doi.org/10.25958/fh2f-aa62
Documentation Statement
This record presents a documented representation of the research output, including the research statement and associated contextual metadata. The creative work itself is not included. Where available, external links are provided to representations of the work.
Content Type
Documentation only