Scale (music) - Jazz and Blues

Jazz and Blues

See also: Jazz scales

Through the introduction of blue notes, jazz and blues employ scale intervals smaller than a semitone. The blue note is an interval that is technically neither major nor minor but "in the middle", giving it a characteristic flavour. For instance, in the key of E, the blue note would be either a note between G and G♯ or a note moving between both. In blues a pentatonic scale is often used. In jazz many different modes and scales are used, often within the same piece of music. Chromatic scales are common, especially in modern jazz.

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Famous quotes containing the words jazz and/or blues:

    Though the Jazz Age continued it became less and less an affair of youth. The sequel was like a children’s party taken over by the elders.
    F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940)

    Holly Golightly: You know those days when you’ve got the mean reds?
    Paul: The mean reds? You mean like the blues?
    Holly Golightly: No, the blues are because you’re getting fat or maybe it’s been raining too long. You’re just sad, that’s all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you’re afraid and you don’t know what you’re afraid of.
    George Axelrod (b. 1922)