What Is Bebop?

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  "Swing arrangements mainly consisted of composed sections, but with certain sections designated for improvisation. A bebop tune, however,, would simply consist of a statement of the head, or main theme, extended solos over the head’s harmonic structure, and then one final statement of the head. It was common for bebop musicians to compose new, complex melodies over well-known chord progressions. One example of this is Charlie Parker’s “Ornithology,” which is based on the changes from “How High the Moon,” a popular show tune in the 1940s. "

For more description, read about Bebop Musicians 

Here's an overview of a very cool article (focusing on solo development) written by Dr. Stylani Tartsinis. I have learned a lot from it and I think you will, too.

To understand the Bebop approach in music, we have to take a look at chromatics. 
 
 If you're not familiar with Bebop, listen to these Bebop mp3s 

Bebop patterns are like embellishments to the bare melodic structure. Remember that in jazz, the scale degrees are referred to as numbers rather than letters.

Example #1

C E G Bb

1      3 5 b7

Here’s a diatonic exercise to practice, approaching the target tone by a whole step above and below. When the target tone is approached by a whole step above, it forms a 9^th; if approached from below, it forms a flat 7 in the chord.

Example #2

D to C = Whole step above

9-1

Bb to C = Whole step below

b7-1

Extra tones: Dominant 7^th (natural 7), Major (#5), Minor (natural 3) and Half-dim (natural 5). Begin the scale on the odd numbers. If the scale is begun on the even beats (2, 4 or 6), the student will have to insert a half-step to prevent these added tones from falling on downbeats.

Example #3 Major

C D  E F G  G# A B C

1  2   3  4  5  #5   6  7

Example #4 Minor

C D Eb E F G A B C

1 2  b3  4  5  6  7

Example  #5 Dominant 7^th Scale

C D E F G A Bb B C

1 2  3  4 5  6  b7  7

Example #6 Half Dim Bebop

C  Db Eb   F  Gb G Ab Bb C

1b 2b 3 4b 5n 5b  6  b7

Chromatic Approach Tones

Here are some examples of approaching the target note C (tonic or1). The approach tones are proceeded with a half-step (above or below), but at times, could be approached by a whole step. It is this chromatic sound that defines the bebop style. It is also important to keep in mind that these exercises are strictly for developing the bebop sound. You should further practice these bebop examples to extend these patterns with combinations of other chord tones an scales.

Single Note Approach

C# to C Half-step above

B to C Half-step below

Note: The above and below examples note #1 (C#) as b9 (Db). Note that the #1 (C#) is the enharmonic or the same tone to b9 (Db). B9 is preferred because of its frequent use as an extension.

C# to B to C = Half-step above and below

B to C# to C  = Half-step below and above

Double Note Approach

D to C# to C = Two half-steps above

Bb to B to C  = two half-steps below

Combination of Single and Double Note Approach

C#-Bb-B-C = 1 half-step above & 2 half-steps below

B9-b7-7-1

For more reading on this great article, check out http://www.jazzedmagazine.com/2318/articles/master-class/the-bebop-approach/

Chord Chart to How High The Moon

A7                Dm7                  Dm7  G7
Somewhere there's music, how faint the tune.
                  Cm7                  Cm7    F7
Somewhere there's heaven, how high the moon?
Bb+7        Em-5            A7      Am7       Em7-5
There is no moon above when love is far away, too.
     A7       D9         Em7      A7     Fm7    F7 Em7
Till it comes true, that you love me, as I love you.

#2.
    Em7   A7      Dm7                  Dm7  G7
Somewhere there's music, how near, how far?
                  Cm7                    Cm7 F7
Somewhere there's heaven, it's where you are.
    Bb      Em7-5                A7                   Dm7
The darkest night would shine if you would come to me soon.
A7-9      Fm7       F7       Em         Em7  A7-9  D6
Until you will, how still my heart, how high the   moon???

 

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 All the best,






"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King