Re: Charlie Parker's thematic improvisation
Allan Sutherland ( ayac@intio.or.jp )
Fri, 10 Oct 1997 18:52:58 +0900
Bob and Russ, thanks for the info regarding the Parker book by Lionel
Grigson, I will make effort to obtain a copy.
I was impressed by the recent studies of Parker's music by Henry Martin,
1996, and Woideck, 1996, as well as Owen's 1995 book on bebop where he
devotes a substantial chapter on parker and uses that as his basis for
analysing bebop. My one caution regarding Owen's work is that in disecting
the music into so many short passages, it seems like trying to analyse the
work of Dickens in terms of the frequency of the usage of particular words,
or phrases in the novels, regardless of the context of their use, or tone
of their use, the expressiveness of their use, purpose of their use, etc.
In other words, it may be so but does it help us really understand the
music of Parker and/or what it means? If at all, it is but a step to
understanding the music and its power.
What does anyone else think on the matter.
A newy on this list,
Allan.