Bebop emerged in the 1940s as a new style of jazz that was faster and more complex than previous styles. It developed during a recording ban that forced musicians to perform live. Key bebop musicians included Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and Miles Davis. Bebop was characterized by faster tempos, more complex rhythms, and melodies that featured unusual harmonies, leaps, and dissonances.

1. Bebop
1940 - 1955

2. Recording Ban
Jazz was big business – Benny Goodman, Glen Miller , Duke Ellington,
Count Basie
1 August 1942 American Federation of Musicians Strike.
1943 Ellington premiered Black, Brown & Beige
1944 Norman Granz promoted his Jazz at the Philharmonic.

3. BeBop Musicians
Charlie Chrisitan – Guitar
Jimmy Blanton – Bass
Jo Jones & Kenny Clarke - Drums
Charlie Parker – Alto Saxophone
Dizzy Gillespie – Trumpet
Thelonious Monk – Piano
Dexter Gordon – Tenor Saxophone

4. Rhythm section Characteristics
of Bebop
Drums play an individual role. Not just keeping time, become more a
part of the ensemble.
Walking bass lines in 4 crotchet beats instead of 2.
Tempos are faster, and slower.
Sparser piano comping (short for accompanying) and use of more open,
“shell” like voicings.
Simpler arrangements (head arrangements)

5. Melodic Characteristics of
Bebop
Melodies (written & improvised) predominantly quavers, or “8th notes”
More angular melodies, i.e unusual leaps
The use of chord extensions – 9ths, 11ths & 13th
The use of dissonance, such as chromatic passing tones, particularly #5
and Maj 7ths.
Beginning and ending phrases in unusual places.
Double time feels and more complex rhythmic groupings – 5, 6, 7’s, etc.

6. Charlie Parker

7. John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie

8. Miles Davis

9. “A Great Day In Harlem”