This study focuses on Chick Corea’s tonal expansion method using the theory of polymodal chromaticism by Bela Bartok. Children Song no.10 from the collection of Children Songs,1984 by Corea is analyzed in this research. Despite the significance of this piece, there exists a scarcity of musical analyses examining the use of polymodal chromaticism as a composition tool in jazz music, indicating a need for further research in this area. This study reveals the compositional method and style that Corea uses in applying the theory of polymodal chromaticism. A qualitative framework with a combination of method of music analysis and quasi-`Schenkerian music analysis were applied to highlight modal and compound scales, ostinatos, harmonic progression, and compositional techniques Corea uses to expand tonality in the selected piece. The study led to detailed insights into the compositional techniques used to achieve tonal expansion, as well as the discovery of unique compound scales and combinations of scales that led to total chromaticism. The methods of tonal expansion using the theory of polymodal chromaticism are detailed in this study, allowing further exploration of the theory in other areas of jazz and contemporary music.

Authors:
Ganesan Balakrishnan, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia

About the Presenter(s)
Ganesan Balakrishnan is a final year master’s degree music student of the Academy of Arts & Creative Technology (ACT), Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

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