[Dixielandjazz] chords vs melody

[Bill Gunter]

Hi Listmates,

What an interesting topic! I've been following it along but haven't posted 
any observations as yet. Time to toss in my 2 cents worth:

Even when the chord line is absent the chords are "implied." That is to say 
that it is often possible to chord along with a song after hearing it once 
or twice because the chord line is so obvious. As a matter of fact, most 
seasoned guitar/piano/banjo players can probably chord along to many country 
western tunes WHILE THEY'RE HEARING THEM  FOR THE FIRST TIME!

Also - Even when the melody line is absent it is often "implied" in the 
chord progression. How else does one explain the practice of "quoting" other 
songs besides the one which is being performed. And in the 12 Bar Blues 
progression people sing tons of different melodies - all suggested by the 
progression.

Summary - There's no way I could build a case to say which one of these 
elements is the most important.  My feeling is that with the blues it's 
probably the chord line. But superimposed over that is a feeling that music 
basically starts with a melody. I guess these two elements are simply too 
entertwined to definitively separate them and decide which is the dominant 
element.

Since melody implies progression and progression implies melody how can 
there be a rational discussion of one element being most important.

Music is an art form which has at its core the generation and resolution of 
tension. Take a simple G chord (GBD) and then add the minor 7th (F) and now 
you've created some tension. That tension is only resolved by playing a C 
chord.

It's like the old "Shave and a haircut - two bits!" - If you sing the "Shave 
and a haircut" part and leave off the "two bits" - you're leaving some 
tension unresolved. Your listeners will all feel the "two bits" whether they 
want to or not just to relieve the tension.

Such is the nature of music.

Which brings  me to a conclusion.

If you're hearing some body playing what they claim is music and you, the 
listener, cannot determine a progression or get a feel for where the melody 
is going then you are listening to Bull S***!

Respectfully submitted,

Bill "melody+chords=music" Gunter
jazzboard at hotmail.com








>From: "Patrick Cooke" <patcooke at cox.net>
>To: "Rebecca Thompson" <rebecca.e.thompson at verizon.net>,"Bob Romans" 
><cellblk7 at attbi.com>,<dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
>Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] chords vs melody
>Date: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 15:21:01 -0600
>
> >>listeners should always be able to follow the melody in your solo,
>  hidden a little, but not too far away!<<<
>
>The ability to "follow the melody" resides largely in the ear of a
>particular listener.  If your audience is mainly people who are not true
>aficionados, then don't stray too far from the melody.  If the audience is
>mainly musicians, pull out all the stops!
>   Pat Cooke
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Rebecca Thompson" <res0a3qw at verizon.net>
>To: "Bob Romans" <cellblk7 at attbi.com>; <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
>Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 1:08 PM
>Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] chords vs melody
>
>
> > I wish more players would follow this rule!!!
> >
> > Rebecca
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Bob Romans" <cellblk7 at attbi.com>
> > To: "James Kashishian" <kash at ran.es>; <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
> > Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 6:48 AM
> > Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] chords vs melody
> >
> >
> > > It seems like I read somewhere that L. Armstrong said he was told by
> > Oliver
> > > that listeners should always be able to follow the melody in your 
>solo,
> > > hidden a little, but not too far away!
> > > Bob R.
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Dixielandjazz mailing list
> > Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
> > http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz
> >
>
>
>
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