A hero's journey : a modern musical exploration of the monomyth
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Date
2009-12
Authors
Brace, Conor Lane
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Abstract
This thesis presents and analyzes the author's original jazz composition "A Hero's Journey," based on the ancient and widespread storytelling pattern that Joseph Campbell called the "monomyth." Using major concepts from the monomyth, the author composed a suite for ten-piece jazz orchestra consisting of six scenes divided into two acts. Although rooted in the jazz tradition, the piece borrows freely from classical music, African music, Indian music, and modern rock and hip-hop to create an adventurous and continually evolving musical experience. This thesis first provides an overview of the entire suite, then discusses its important melodic themes, and finally analyzes the techniques used for harmonic development within the piece.
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