Untersuchungen zu Kompositionen von Thelonious Monk
The analysis of thirteen compositions from Thelonius Monk added to a thorough knowledge of his remaining work reveals the following special qualities of his composition skills. Form and Harmonic Framework : alongside many themes with a conventional form the composer shows a preference for out of the ordinary and odd meters. Harmonics: alongside the usual progressions many II-V-chains are to be found which continue after the reinterpretation or substitution of a chord. Also chord transitions in the main chromatic are put in. Substitution chords as in the so-called "Bebop Cross" are used just as much as diminished fifth chords and half diminished chords. In his voicing Monk concentrates on those notes which characterize the chord, these he places sparingly sometimes including strange chord material, making them more dissonant and interesting. Melodic Themes: these are spare, full of unexpected notes and intervals. Monks melodies are strong and important, the melodic form is often percussive. Alongside ballads with rich melodic and lush harmonics a wealth of themes stand out which were composed from only one or two motives. Rhythmic Themes: special characteristics are asymmetry, that is the abandoning or breaking up of the traditional 2-4- or 8 beat groupings when forming phrases. Discontinuity, the abrupt interruption of lines through pauses or sharp dissonances and rhythmic displacement, that is the repeating of melodic segments in different meter counts. Rhythm is a permanent component of all his compositions Monk's tunes can only be played with his given harmonics and rhythmic, otherwise no sense is revealed. Thus Monk's works are compositions to a much greater extent than other more usual jazz tunes.