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Quick questions on Jazz and blues foundations explained: O-Level Music
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What are the twelve-bar blues?Show answer
The twelve-bar blues is a chord progression of twelve bars, repeated over and over, using only the three primary chords (I, IV, V). A standard layout (one chord per bar) is four bars of I, two of IV, two of I, then V, IV, and two of I, often with a turnaround in the last bar leading back to the start. This simple, predictable frame is the backbone of countless blues and early rock-and-roll songs.
What are typical instruments?Show answer
Blues and jazz feature instruments such as the saxophone, trumpet and trombone (the front line), the piano, guitar, double bass and drum kit (the rhythm section), and the voice, often with an expressive, bluesy delivery.
What is q1?Show answer
Describe the chord pattern of a twelve-bar blues. [3 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain what a blue note is and the effect it creates. [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Explain the difference between swung and straight quavers. [2 marks]
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