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A blue note is a note that is played at a slightly lower pitch than that of the major scale for expressive purposes, typically the 3rd, 5th, and 7th degrees of the scale. Example: Playing a flat 3rd or flat 5th in a C major scale.

The Bebop Scale is an eight-note scale that adds a chromatic passing tone to the standard seven-note scales. Example: The C bebop dominant scale would be C, D, E, F, G, A, Bb, B, C.

To comp is to accompany a soloist in an ensemble by playing chords and rhythms that provide a harmonic and rhythmic framework. Example: A pianist comping behind a saxophone solo.

A jazz standard is a musical composition that is widely known, performed, and recorded within the jazz community. Example: 'Autumn Leaves' is a famous jazz standard.

Guide tones are notes that define the essential elements of a chord sequence, often the 3rd and the 7th degrees, used in constructing bass lines or solos. Example: Playing B and E notes to outline a G7 chord.

Syncopation occurs when a rhythm emphasizes off-beats or the weaker parts of a beat to create rhythmic tension. Example: Accenting the 'and' of every beat in 4/4 time.

Trading fours involves musicians alternately improvising solos for four measures each. Example: A drummer and a saxophonist taking turns every four bars during a jazz solo section.

A Turnaround is a sequence of chords that concludes a musical section and leads into the beginning of the following section. Example: A common turnaround in C would be Cmaj7-am7-dm7-G7.

Rootless voicings are chord voicings that do not contain the root note, often used by pianists to leave more room for bass players. Example: A rootless voicing for Cmaj7 might include E-B-D-A.

Chord extensions are notes added to the basic triad that are beyond the 7th, such as the 9th, 11th, and 13th. Example: In a Cmaj7 chord, adding a D would make it a Cmaj9.

Cross rhythm refers to the systematic layering of contrasting rhythms, often using two rhythms that do not ordinarily fit evenly together. Example: Playing a 3/4 rhythm against a 4/4 pattern.

Rhythm changes refer to the chord progression from George Gershwin's song 'I Got Rhythm', which has become a popular jazz chord sequence. Example: The A sections of many jazz standards often use variations of these changes.

The II-V-I progression is the most common chord progression in jazz, moving from the ii minor 7th chord, to the V dominant 7th chord, to the I major 7th chord. Example: In the key of C major, this would be Dmin7-G7-Cmaj7.

Polyrhythm occurs when two or more conflicting rhythms are played simultaneously. Example: A common polyrhythm is three notes played in the space of two (3:2).

Swing rhythm refers to a rhythm where notes with equal written time values are performed with unequal durations, usually as alternating long and short. Example: 8th notes in swing feel where the first is longer than the second.

Coltrane changes are a harmonic pattern where the root movement is in major third intervals, creating an augmented triad. Example: The progression might move from Bmaj7 to Ebmaj7 to Gmaj7, etc.

Modes are scales derived from the parent major scale. Each mode starts on a different degree of the major scale. Example: The Dorian mode is the mode that starts on the 2nd degree of the major scale.

A walking bass line is a continuous, quarter-note rhythm played by the bassist where each beat is usually a different note, outlining the harmony. Example: A bass player walking a bass line through a 12-bar blues form.

Jazz Waltz is a form of jazz in triple meter, like 3/4 time, and has a swinging feel. Example: 'Waltz for Debby' by Bill Evans.