Mark Levine, the author of The Jazz Theory Book said, "A great jazz solo consists of:
I think once you learn a lot of music theory, you'll get to the point where you no longer need to think about theory, if you know what I mean. Charlie Parker once said, "Learn the changes and then forget them." In other words, get beyond the theory.
Jazz is like a musical language. When the musicians play, it's as if
they are talking to each other in jazz language. Most jazz music is
based on a tune or a theme. The tune might be made up specifically or it
might be based on a popular tune. A jazz group, or line-up has two
parts: the rhythm section and the front line.
Front-line instruments are the ones that play solos during a jazz
piece. They are given this name because the players usually stand in
front of the rhythm section. Front-line instruments include the
clarinet, trombone and the right-hand side of a piano.
The rhythm section is a part that keeps a steady pulse. It also
plays harmonies for the front-line instrument to improvise over. Rhythm
section instruments include the bass guitar, double bass, drums, and the
left-hand side of the piano.
Most rhythms have a regular pulse or beat. Normally the stress, or
accent, comes on the first beat, in a measure. In Jazz, the stress
sometimes comes on the second beat, or in between the main beats. This
is called syncopation. A tension is created between the steady pulse and
the syncopated rhythm.
When musicians get together without an audience and experiment with
tunes, it is known as a jam session. It is during sessions like these
that most Jazz evolves.
Although jazz involves lots of improvisation, there are some fixed
elements in a piece. Instead of writing down every note, jazz composers
provide a rough outline, usually consisting of a tune and the chords
that go with it. Chords are two or more notes played or sung together.
They are usually written as chord symbols, which tell the musician which
chords accompany a tune. The musicians improvise around this hotline.
Most jazz composers base their work on music they come up with during
jam sessions.
