[Dixielandjazz] Themes - bridge

[Bryan Livett]

Hi Rebecca:   Yes, the bridge is a theme.  Many popular songs which form the
basis of much of our music are built on the classical music symphonic model
AABA, also called sonata form, where A is one theme, is repeated, then B is
a contrasting theme (the bridge) and then A is repeated again to complete
the chorus.  These usually take the form of 8 bars, the same 8 bars
repeated, an 8 bar contrasting bridge and then the first 8 bars again.  In
Europe the bridge is often called the "middle 8" even though it doesn't
mathematically fit in the middle; go figure!  Think of "Ain't Misbehavin";
two identical eight bar phrases, a different eight bar phrase then the first
phrase again to complete the song.

Of course many of the tunes we play are based on blues, 8- 12- 24- and
32-bar blues, no bridge (except, of course where the composer has inserted
one!) and then you have Cole Porter who almost never followed the AABA
format but usually inserted a contrasting passage (or two) to make things
interesting.

Cheers

Bryan
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Thompson" <rebecca.e.thompson at verizon.net>
To: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 9:28 PM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Thanks - RE: Themes


> Thanks to Steve and Mike for your explanations of the themes of a song.
>
> Now... Where does the bridge fit in?  Is it a theme?
>
>
>
> Rebecca Thompson
> Flower Mound, Texas
>
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Dixielandjazz mailing list
> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz