Law of the Shortest Way and Jazz Improvisation: A Voice-Leading Model for the Analysis of "'Round Midnight"

Abstract

This thesis presents a method of analyzing jazz improvisation and jazz style by using a voice-leading model called “Top Lines.” It compares three separate performances of Thelonious Monk’s “’Round Midnight” by Monk, Gerry Mulligan, and Wes Montgomery. The term Top Lines refers to a voice-leading procedure created by moving as little as possible between chords tones (roots, thirds, fifths, sevenths, and upper functions) of a chordal progression. Top Lines are potential voice-leading lines in the uppermost register and follow the “Law of the Shortest Way.” The thesis defines Top Lines, shows how they interconnect, and ultimately how the improvisor navigates through and manipulates them. Jazz harmony and improvisation have been explored by scholars such as Mark Levine (1989, 1995), Steve Larson (2005), Henry Martin (1988, 1996), and Steven Strunk (1996). Although many scholars deal with coherence and structure in the improvisation, their discussions focus on voice leading coherence and structure in improvisations, where this thesis differs is it provides a voice-leading model on a small scale within the improvisation itself. The model presented in this thesis raises the notion of describing jazz improvisation not simply as a motion from one chord tone to another, but instead as motion between voice leading Top Lines. These motions between Top Lines create coherence and motives—called “Particles”— in one’s improvisation. Particles ultimately demonstrate stylistic features in one’s improvisation, motivic connections, and coherence. The thesis concludes by describing how the Top Line model can be applied to jazz performance and jazz pedagogy. The thesis will be of interest to scholars of jazz theory, musicology, pedagogy, and jazz performance.