head
The main melody of a jazz tune, played at the beginning and end with improvisation in between.
In Depth
Miles Davis often played the head so sparsely and coolly that audiences were not always sure the melody had started, creating an air of mystery around his performances.
Related Terms
More in Form
Browse allA 32-bar song form consisting of four 8-bar sections: two statements of the theme, a contrasting bridge, and a return
The slow, meditative opening section of an Indian classical raga performance, exploring the raga without rhythm.
A palindromic musical structure that mirrors itself around a central axis, typically ABCBA
A self-contained song for a solo voice, typically in an opera or oratorio.
A period of medieval Western music from approximately 1170 to 1310, characterized by the development of early polyphony.
A musical style of the late medieval period (c. 1310–1377), notable for its rhythmic innovation and increased complexity.
A short, light piano piece, often of modest technical demands
A dramatic moment in electronic music where a deep, sub-bass frequency is suddenly introduced.