“So What” ‘The most played tune from Kind of Blu, “So What.” wes radical fr its time bu did mx really sound that ‘way. One reson is the beauiful and sub playing on it; another i that it stil contain traditional elements. The form is that ofa traditional thiy-two-measure pop song: AABA, wit 2ach section lasting ght measures. Instead of chord prosressions, each section is governed by a mode: te sections are in D Dorian, and the B section isin BP Dorian. Once the tune has begun, there ar twenty-four measures in @ row of D Dorian—the las A section pls the frst two A sections—before the B section aves. The B section creates tension by sifting the mode up a half Step. That tension i released athe retur ofthe A Dorin Dorin or Ea ‘The famous “So What” voicing used by Bll Evans started a revolution in post bop harmonic practice. The combined quartal-trtial voicing. comprised of two 4ths and a major 3rd, was unique atthe time. Note that the voicings are not for any specific chords, but rather for a specific made, in his case Dorian Dori Devinn Again, we should be reminded that “Sound” is crucial in determining voiings. In a modal setting that lacks predetermined chords and harmonic syatax, the coloristie aspect ofa voicing is paramount. Quarta! Clusters Cluster sounds can be derive from quartal voieings by rearanging the notes to form 2nds. These voicings can offer elie from open quar voicngs while retaining a quart quality. 2 oy *% be 8