Big Band Music
Overview
Explore how Big Band music evolved and its links to World War II. Understand the key features of Big Band Music and learn music by Glenn Miller.
Example Key Words
Swing Music
A style of jazz music that evolved in America in the 1930s.
Swing Rhythms
Refers to the feel of the music, where quavers are played in a triplet feel, with the first of the two quavers being held for longer.
A 'Head Arrangement'
The ‘head’ refers to the main melody in a jazz piece. Jazz music often starts and ends with the ‘head.’
Blues Scale
A type of scale unique to blues and jazz music, often used during improvised sections of jazz pieces.
Improvisation
Making up a musical idea on the spot.
Syncopation
Where a rhythm feels off-beat, as the emphasis is on the weaker beats of the bar.