Song Analysis Of 'Take Five' By John Brubeck

The jazz style that “Take Five” resembles most is cool jazz or west coast jazz. This song features light and soft tones with simple melodies. This song has a slow tempo with a smooth and relaxed feel to it. These are all important characteristics of cool jazz. “Take Five” has a unique time signature that is not found in cool jazz or any other types of jazz. This song does have some swing influences as well as the classical influences that Brubeck brings to the music. “Take Five” is an interesting song because the drummer is used for an improvisation in the middle of the song and the piano and bass maintain the rhythm. The alto saxophone establishes a melodic theme in the beginning, which is repeated at the end of the song. “Take Five” is not
“Take Five” uses the piano to play a constant vamp throughout the song, the alto saxophone is only used to play the opening and closing theme, and the bassist plays a simple bass line throughout the song. The drummer gets a solo improvisation in the middle of the song and maintains a colorful rhythm throughout the rest of the song. “Take Five” also uses a strange 5/4 time signature that is not popular in jazz. In the song “Three To Get Ready”, the drummer maintains a soft but firm rhythm throughout. The bassist plays a more intricate bass line, which is more noticeable in this song. The pianist and alto saxophonist play the opening and closing theme and they each take a solo improvisation. The time signature is also different from “Take Five”. These songs actually have similar traits, but the structure and instrumentation are what make them seem completely different. Both of these songs would be classified as cool jazz, but they also have a mixture of influences which makes them both
The song “Three To Get Ready” has a more traditional cool jazz structure and sound. Both songs have similar characteristics such as a slow tempo, melody, and an upbeat and driving feeling. The song “Three To Get Ready” has a softer rhythm section, more colorful melodies, and simple improvisations. Technically, I should like “Three To Get Ready” more than “Take Five” because it is more compositionally complex and it provides two wonderful improvisations from the pianist and alto saxophonist. For some reason I enjoy “Take Five” more. I think it is because the rhythm of the bass, drums, and piano blend well with the melody from the alto saxophone. The constant vamp played by the pianist combined with the alto saxophone melody is catchy. The odd 5/4 time signature intrigues me and is probably what has me hooked. The solo drum improvisation by Joe Morello also gives this song some extra flare. The song “Three To Get Ready” has better improvisations, but it is something about the odd 5/4 time signature and the rhythm of “Take Five” that gives it a sort of swing