To show that the comparison of the the two styles is valid, consider two compositions: the first movement of the Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 by Bach, and the song Savoy Blues by Armstrong. The first movement of the Brandenburg Concerto opens with a bright ritornello, with a rich and recognizable melody. After the melody is introduced, solo instruments (violin, flute) start playing, accompanied by the harpsichord holding the figured bass. The solo instruments bring new motifs and also ornament the motifs of the main melody. There appears modulation of the melody, and the tonality changes from major to minor. However, the key returns to the original and the solo instruments continue decorating the melody, forming rich polyphony. After, the melody is repeated again. Savoy Blues is a song that begins with two instruments- the trumpet playing the main melody accompanied by the guitar. After 28 measures, the guitar starts playing an improvised solo, with another guitar keeping the bass. Later, the solo is taken by the trumpet, followed by the trombone. After the three instruments improvise, each for 16 measures, the melody is repeated.
We can notice that this regular pattern is similar in the two compositions, demonstrating their similar structure.
We can notice that this regular pattern is similar in the two compositions, demonstrating their similar structure.
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 by Johann Sebastian Bach, 1. movement, Allegro:
2. movement, Affettuoso:
3. movement, Allegro:
Savoy blues by Louis Armstrong:
