Modal jazz is a subgenre of jazz that emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s, characterized by its use of modal scales and extended chord progressions. One of the defining features of modal jazz is the use of drones and pedal points, which provide a sense of harmony and stability for the improvisation to occur around.
A drone is a sustained tone or chord that serves as a background for the rest of the music. In modal jazz, drones are often used to establish the tonality of the piece, and to create a sense of atmosphere and tension. For example, in John Coltrane’s “Impressions,” the saxophonist plays a simple two-note drone that serves as the foundation for the rest of the improvisation.
A pedal point, on the other hand, is a repeated single note or chord that serves as a harmonic reference point for the rest of the music. Pedal points can also be used to create tension and dissonance, and to reinforce the tonality of the piece. In Miles Davis’ “So What,” the bass plays a pedal point on the root note of the scale, which serves as the foundation for the rest of the piece.
Another example of a drone can be found in the tune “Naima” by John Coltrane. In this piece, Coltrane uses a drone on the tonic note of the scale to create a sense of stability, and to anchor the improvisation to a specific tonality. Similarly, in Davis’ “All Blues,” the pianist plays a repeating pattern of chords that serves as a drone for the rest of the ensemble.
Pedal points can also be found in other modal jazz pieces, such as Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints” and Herbie Hancock’s “Maiden Voyage.” In “Footprints,” Shorter uses a pedal point on the root note of the scale, which provides a sense of stability for the rest of the improvisation. In “Maiden Voyage,” Hancock uses a repeating pattern of chords that serve as a pedal point for the rest of the ensemble.
In conclusion, drones and pedal points are crucial elements in modal jazz, serving to establish the tonality and provide a foundation for the improvisation. These elements contribute to the atmospheric and harmonically rich sound that is characteristic of modal jazz. By providing a stable and repetitive harmonic structure, drones and pedal points allow the improvisers to explore and experiment with new melodic and rhythmic ideas within the context of the piece.
