Bebop Explained

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In this Jazz Piano Tutorial we discuss how Bebop arose out of competitive jam sessions and discuss some of its defining characteristics.

Musicians generally work in the evenings. This was no different in the 1930’s and 40’s. Swing musicians of the era would start work in clubs and ballrooms in the evening when people would go out for some after-work entertainment. But when audiences left the clubs and went home to bed, the Swing musicians instead went to jam sessions. The most famous of these was Minton's Playhouse, which opened in New York City in 1940. It is said that this is where Bebop was born. The house band at Milton’s included drummer Kenny Clarke and pianist Thelonious Monk. And the musicians that jammed there included Jazz greats like Ben Webster, Charlie Christian, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, and Charlie Parker.

These jam sessions were for serious musicians and involved a lot of experimentation. And it quickly became quite competitive. Musicians would test each other’s abilities by intentionally making the songs difficult to play. They would pick a standard song like ‘I Got Rhythm’, but play it incredibly fast, using complex chord substitutions, and transpose the song up one semitone after every repeat. This would very quickly root out any amateur musicians.

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YouTube url:	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEwWjJ7c0u4&list=PLIuyaIoM30LL2b6cARKhYXTgwQhLCOHCQ&index=4&pbjreloa
Created:	22. 1. 2021 07:48:44

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Bebop Explained