The Big Band Swing Era:The Glenn Miller OrchestraThe Big Band Swing Era:
The Glenn Miller Orchestra
Ms. Purcell’s High School Jazz Band
Ms. Purcell’s High School Jazz Band
Big Band SwingBig Band Swing
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During the late 1930s and early 1940s, Big Band swing was the most popular music in America.
During the late 1930s and early 1940s, Big Band swing was the most popular music in America.
Big Band SwingBig Band Swing
The Big Bands of the 1930s and 1940s brought a new sound to jazz, one that was much louder, faster, raucous than its predecessor. Improvised melodies became an important element of this kind of music.
The Big Bands of the 1930s and 1940s brought a new sound to jazz, one that was much louder, faster, raucous than its predecessor. Improvised melodies became an important element of this kind of music.
The instrumentation of these ensembles included clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano, double bass, and drums.
Swing music is known for its strong rhythm section.
The instrumentation of these ensembles included clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano, double bass, and drums.
Swing music is known for its strong rhythm section.
Swing StyleSwing Style
Swing style is most defined by its unmistakable “swinging” rhythm.
Eighth notes are “swung”. In other words, eighth notes in swing music are played instead as a dotted eighth-sixteenth rhythm.
Swing style is most defined by its unmistakable “swinging” rhythm.
Eighth notes are “swung”. In other words, eighth notes in swing music are played instead as a dotted eighth-sixteenth rhythm.
For example, in swing music, the rhythm would be played
For example, in swing music, the rhythm would be played
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Swing StyleSwing Style
Special emphasis is also placed on the “and” of the beat in swing. While the downbeat of any eighth note pattern is elongated, the upbeats are accented.
Special emphasis is also placed on the “and” of the beat in swing. While the downbeat of any eighth note pattern is elongated, the upbeats are accented.
Vibrato is also used widely in Big Band Swing repertoire.
Vibrato is also used widely in Big Band Swing repertoire.
BandleadersBandleaders
Some famous bandleaders of the Big Band Swing Era include: Benny Goodman The Dorsey Brothers Count Basie Duke Ellington Woody Herman Cab Calloway Glenn Miller
Some famous bandleaders of the Big Band Swing Era include: Benny Goodman The Dorsey Brothers Count Basie Duke Ellington Woody Herman Cab Calloway Glenn Miller
The Glenn Miller OrchestraThe Glenn Miller Orchestra
During the years 1938 through 1941, The Glenn Miller Orchestra was the most popular band in the United States.
During the years 1938 through 1941, The Glenn Miller Orchestra was the most popular band in the United States.
The Glenn Miller OrchestraThe Glenn Miller Orchestra
Led by bandleader Alton Glenn Miller, the band included many swing greats such as: Tex Beneke Jimmy Henderson Henry Mancini
Led by bandleader Alton Glenn Miller, the band included many swing greats such as: Tex Beneke Jimmy Henderson Henry Mancini
In the MoodIn the Mood
The song “In the Mood”, which topped the charts in 1940, is now one of the best-known arrangements of the big band era.
The song “In the Mood”, which topped the charts in 1940, is now one of the best-known arrangements of the big band era.
The piece was first recorded by bandleader Wingy Manone in 1929 and 1930. Miller’s band, however, was the one that made this song so popular.
The piece was first recorded by bandleader Wingy Manone in 1929 and 1930. Miller’s band, however, was the one that made this song so popular.
In the MoodIn the Mood
The saxophone section begins the piece with a soli. This part is very well-known.
Next the trumpets and trombones are added in bar 4.
The saxophone section begins the piece with a soli. This part is very well-known.
Next the trumpets and trombones are added in bar 4.
Soloists include two tenor saxes with opposing parts and a 16 measure trumpet solo.
Question # 1Question # 1
Name at least 3 bandleaders that were part of the Big Band Swing Era.
Name at least 3 bandleaders that were part of the Big Band Swing Era.
Answer #1Answer #1
Your list could include: Benny Goodman The Dorsey Brothers Count Basie Duke Ellington Woody Herman Cab Calloway Glenn Miller
Your list could include: Benny Goodman The Dorsey Brothers Count Basie Duke Ellington Woody Herman Cab Calloway Glenn Miller
Question #2Question #2
Swing music is characterized by:a) A loud, fast-moving wind sectionb) A strong rhythm sectionc) “swung” eighth notesd) All of the abovee) None of the above
Swing music is characterized by:a) A loud, fast-moving wind sectionb) A strong rhythm sectionc) “swung” eighth notesd) All of the abovee) None of the above
Question #3Question #3
In swing music, how would the following rhythm be played? Notate the rhythm as it would sound. Then sing the rhythm using proper accents.
In swing music, how would the following rhythm be played? Notate the rhythm as it would sound. Then sing the rhythm using proper accents.
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Answer #3Answer #3
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Question #4Question #4
In swing music, what part of the beat is emphasized or accented?
a) The downbeatb) The upbeat or the “and” of the beatc) All downbeats and upbeatsd) Only the first downbeat of every
measure
In swing music, what part of the beat is emphasized or accented?
a) The downbeatb) The upbeat or the “and” of the beatc) All downbeats and upbeatsd) Only the first downbeat of every
measure
Answer #4Answer #4
The upbeat or the “and” of the beat is always emphasized in swing music.
The upbeat or the “and” of the beat is always emphasized in swing music.
Question #5Question #5
Which of these bandleaders was famous for popularizing “In the Mood”?
a) Cab Callowayb) Count Basiec) Glenn Millerd) Benny Goodman
Which of these bandleaders was famous for popularizing “In the Mood”?
a) Cab Callowayb) Count Basiec) Glenn Millerd) Benny Goodman
Answer #5Answer #5
C) Glenn Miller and the Glenn Miller Orchestra
C) Glenn Miller and the Glenn Miller Orchestra
ReferencesReferences
Shenkle, Kathryn. Historical Information: Glenn Miller. Nov. 4, 2007, from
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/text/glenn_miller_text.html.. Swing Era Photos. Nov. 4, 2007, from
http://www.swingmusic.net/Swing_Era_Pics.html. Wikipedia. (Nov. 4, 2007). In the Mood. Nov. 5, 2007, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=In_the_Mood&printable=yes.
Wikipedia. (Oct. 31, 2007). Swing Music. Nov. 4, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?
title=Swing_music&printable=yes
Shenkle, Kathryn. Historical Information: Glenn Miller. Nov. 4, 2007, from
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/text/glenn_miller_text.html.. Swing Era Photos. Nov. 4, 2007, from
http://www.swingmusic.net/Swing_Era_Pics.html. Wikipedia. (Nov. 4, 2007). In the Mood. Nov. 5, 2007, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=In_the_Mood&printable=yes.
Wikipedia. (Oct. 31, 2007). Swing Music. Nov. 4, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?
title=Swing_music&printable=yes