Bar-line shift

Bar-line shift on rhythm changes B section  Play .

In jazz, a bar-line shift is a technique in which, during improvisation, one plays the chord from the measure before or after the given chord either intentionally or as an "accident."[1]

Bar-line shifts may be caused by a novice having lost his or her place in the chord progression, but is most often attributable to: "(1)...harmonic generalization, as in the case of playing a IIø to V7 (+5, +9) progression [ II-V-I turnaround] as only a V7 (+5, +9); or (2) the player wanted to play the previous chord (though it has already transpired), but was either pausing momentarily (as in taking a breath), and decides to adopt the 'better later than never' attitude."[1] An example of a "very intentional" bar-line shift may be found on Cannonball Adderley's solo on "So What," "in which he deliberately enters and exits the bridge early, causing considerable tension, since the chord of the A section (D-) is one-half step lower than the chord of the bridge (E♭-)."[1]

Bar-line shift's effect on metric accent: first two lines vs. second two lines  Play .

Outside of jazz a barline shift may be less than a bar, causing a change in the metric accent of the melody and its cadence.[2]

See also

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Coker, Jerry (1997). Elements of the Jazz Language for the Developing Improvisor, p.83. ISBN 1-57623-875-X.
  2. ↑ Newman, William S. (1995). Beethoven on Beethoven: Playing His Piano Music His Way, p.170-71. ISBN 0-393-30719-0.