American Innovators: Miles Davis and Steve Reich

What recording, from 1959, is an example of Miles's experiments in modal jazz and the best-selling jazz album ever?

'Kind of Blue' was the Miles' 1959 recording which was regarded as modal jazz of its own kind. The album is not only remembered in the Columbia Record Catalogue as the best-selling jazz album ever but also because it was voted in the top ten albums ever recorded (Miles 21).

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Which Miles Davis selections did you listen to? Describe the music in detail

I listened to 'Yesterday' and 'In a Silent Way'. Yesterday is a nostalgia for a broken relationship. The structure of the song has a differing rhythm and melody leading to a disjunction. Moreover, it is played in seven-bar, unlike the standard eight-bar form. The song was produced using Epiphone and quartet guitars (28). Miles' 'In a Silent Way', is a summary of a fading love and peace that was replaced by violence and war. The structure is more similar to 'Yesterday' but relied more on the atmosphere for its harmony.

Did you enjoy the music of Miles Davis? Why or why not?

Miles Davis music is enjoyable. The 'Kind of a Blue' is rich in romance that cools and gives the soul a solace. Moreover, Miles' music bear messages that carry away. For instance, the nostalgic lyrics of 'Yesterday' is a perfect example. Additionally, the chords are harmonized making it easy to predict the next chord and help hum along with the song.

What types of things was Steve Reich thinking about when composing "Music for 18 Musicians"?

Steve Reich was thinking how sounds produced by dissimilar instruments will appear. The idea primarily was to ensure that the middle register was extended at the expense of the bass notes (Reich et al. 214). Steve regarded it as 'a riot of color'. In essence, Steve had the picture of West African Drumming and Balinese gamelan in his mind.

What do you think of Reich's music? Is it similar to anything else you listen to?

Reich's music is so unique. He uses African drum beats more often. Moreover, his message is more political than earlier music that I listened to. For example, 'The cave' speaks more of the political tension in the Middle East.

Do you consider Reich's music "classical" music? Do you think his reputation of being a great composer is deserved?

Reich's music is classical. He deserved his reputations since he revolutionized the music industry. He introduced the drumming aspect and discovered tape-based technique. The technique involved looping and phasing by application of fragments of speech; aspects that contribute to his earned reputation.

What similarities and differences do you hear in the music of Miles Davis and Steve Reich?

Reich and Miles are all viewed as top musicians of the 20th century. They all played role in the entertainment with their pieces. Reich introduced drumming while Miles, through 'Kind of a Blue', introduced melody disjunction (Walser 347). Also, Reich is remembered for his political message while Miles is remembered for romantic songs.

Works cited

Davis, Miles. Kind of blue. Hal Leonard Corporation, 2000.

Reich, Steve, and Steve Reich. Writings about music. Press of Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, 1974.

Walser, Robert. "Out of notes: Signification, interpretation, and the problem of Miles Davis." The Musical Quarterly 77.2 (1993): 343-365.