"crunchy?"

[Audrey]

Recently, in a jazz piece my school band's been working on, the term "crunchy' came up. Any clue what that means? My teacher said that it's not growling or fluttertounging etc. Our sax section is kind of confused. Any help on this term would be very appreciated.

[max]

I've heard it used for several different things, but in this context, I'm going to guess that it has something to do with dissonance (in the harmony).

[Audrey]

thanx- I was wondering about that, but only the alto's have it. It isn't written on the tenor or bari parts. This is what made me think that it was a style thing.

[Riff]

I've never heard the term "crunchy" before in a musical context, but if someone asked me to play "crunchy" I think I'd interpret it in an articulation/rhythmic sense. I'd probably play crisp attacks with as much rhythmic accuracy as possible without sounding mechanical.

I usually try to interpret wierd musical adjectives in their literal sense.
Cruncy makes me think of eating my morning Corn Flakes. :wink:

[max]

Hmm... maybe not dissonance then. (as in, "that's a crunchy chord")

I dunno - what does the passage sound like? Is it bluesy?

[TRWham]

Picking up on Riff's riff, I'd read it as "not smooth." You know- crunchy peanut butter is not smooth. Add a little edge to it both in tone and articulation. Maybe it's only on the alto charts because altos tend toward a smooth, sweet sound that isn't such a problem for tenors or baris.

[Audrey]

this 'crunchy' is in a song called St. Louis Blues- if you're not familiar w/ it, it is kind of a bluesy piece. I don't know how to dl the section of the piece onto the message board, but is it only for about 4 messures.

[Jazzophone]

oh yeah, we did St Louis Blues for our festival just now ... I read somewhere (and this is totally true) that that particular song is more moody than blues, because of the way it's styled. It gets really really smooth, and to bring it back into the blues feel you've got to do exactly that -- make it "crunchy," which our band sort of interpreted as the same thing as Riff detailed. Don't let it become completely flowy -- give it some edge.

Out of curiosity, what's the four bars? what's happening in the piece?

[Morry]

I've always heard the term "crunchy chord" to mean a chord with 7th, 9th, 11th, etc. One of those "hit every key on the piano chords".

[Audrey]

hi I know that it'd probably help to see the music passage, but I can't attatch the file onto the board- so If you want to see it, post your e-mail address and I'll forward it like that.

[Jazzophone]

alright, send it off to ruhee@shaw.ca please, thanks :D!

[Transcriber-arranger]

Never heard this word in a musical context. I have a couple theories, however. First, it's an editorial oversight that the term appears in the alto but not the tenor and bari parts. Second, the chart comes with a note to the director that explains what the arranger means by "crunchy."

Incidentally, who is the arranger?

[Audrey]

my teacher didn't know what it meant- so I'm assuming that it wasn't on the chart, but the arranger is Tom Davis

[gary]

"Incidentally, who is the arranger?"

Yeah, that was my question, too. What the heck's the point in writing directions on a piece of music if nobody knows what it means. Is the arranger wanting something specific or just being cute.

Who is the arranger and publisher, please. Might give some abstract cue as to what s/he means.

[gary]

Well, I knew if anybody would find a way to double-post with this new format, I would! Sorry. Also, looks like our posts crossed in the mail. Anyway...

Audrey - I wouldn't use a term on an arrangement that I wasn't certain would be widely undestood, but Steve definitely knows what he's doing.

Here's his e-mail. Why don't you just send him an e-mail of your question. I'm sure he would be interested in helping you.

info@tomdavismusic.com

[gary]

I mean "Tom". Gad. I better just go to bed.

[Audrey]

thanks- I plan on e-mailing him- I'll post any reults

[Audrey]

Mr. Davis was very kind, and returned my e-mail with answers! He said that his 'crunchy" meant to play with a growly egde, but also it did imply dissonance. I hope that now, if any of you guys see crunchy in a piece this will help you. Thanks for all of your comments/ideas on the topic.
Audrey

[gary]

Thank YOU Audrey, for "closing the loop". You must be a special young lady; you're not only asking the right questions, you're following through on them. That doesn't always happen.

If you're still wondering about secifically how to play it, get in touch with John Laughter; he's more than willing to help.

[Audrey]

why thank you gary, I am quite into music because I plan to be a music teacher and I know that before I can help make others better I have to better myself. What is John Laughter's e-mail address? I'd be intersted in a more specific idea of how to play it. Thanks for Mr. Davis' address.

[JL]

This does point out some of the limitations of musical notation, especially when applied to jazz & blues. I admire those who can write music and get some of these effects across. But of course you gotta listen to the great players and use your ears to understand it aurally.

[gary]

Audrey - I looked for his e-mail but I guess it didn't survive a recent hard disc crash. If you really want to track him down, call the operator in Macon, Georgia where he lives. If his number is unlisted, then try GEICO insurance, also in Macon; unless he has retired, he works there. He's a good guy and I know he'll help you. Cheers.