Unsquare Dance
Encyclopedia
"Unsquare Dance" is an iconic musical piece written by the American jazz
composer
Dave Brubeck
in 1961.
Written in 7/8 time, the piece is a typical example of Brubeck's exploration of time signatures. According to Brubeck, it was written during a single trip from his home to the recording studio
, and was recorded the same day. Based on a blues
form, the piece is driven by a strong bass figure, with percussion provided primarily by the rim of the snare drum and hand claps. It combines duple and triple meter.
The piano
enters with descending phrases crossing the 7/8 rhythm. The main theme then develops initially without left accompaniment
and then with a characteristic figure based around the use of tenths. A drum solo using rim shots follows, then a restatement of the theme and a distinctive conclusion.
The band's laughter
at the end of the piece illustrates the spontaneity of the recording and the camaraderie of the band. Dave points out in his liner notes that "Unsquare Dance, in 7/4 time, is a challenge to the foot-tappers, finger-snappers and hand-clappers. Deceitfully simple, it refuses to be squared. And the laugh you hear at the end is Joe Morello
's guffaw of surprise and relief that we had managed to get through the difficult last chorus". According to one music teacher, "Brubeck calls it 'Unsquare Dance' and it ends with 'Turkey in the Straw
' which is as 'square' as you can get!" At the very end, right after referencing "Turkey in the Straw", the song cleverly quotes the well known musical couplet known in some circles as shave and a haircut... two bits
, with the last note being the seventh in the measure.
"Unsquare Dance" was initially included on the album Time Further Out
, and even became a hit single
, peaking at #74 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
. Brubeck has since arranged the piece for orchestra
. Although it is rarely covered, Brubeck has recently endorsed an arrangement and recording by British pianist and composer Paddy Milner
.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
Dave Brubeck
Dave Brubeck
David Warren "Dave" Brubeck is an American jazz pianist. He has written a number of jazz standards, including "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "The Duke". Brubeck's style ranges from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills...
in 1961.
Written in 7/8 time, the piece is a typical example of Brubeck's exploration of time signatures. According to Brubeck, it was written during a single trip from his home to the recording studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
, and was recorded the same day. Based on a blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
form, the piece is driven by a strong bass figure, with percussion provided primarily by the rim of the snare drum and hand claps. It combines duple and triple meter.
The piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
enters with descending phrases crossing the 7/8 rhythm. The main theme then develops initially without left accompaniment
Accompaniment
In music, accompaniment is the art of playing along with an instrumental or vocal soloist or ensemble, often known as the lead, in a supporting manner...
and then with a characteristic figure based around the use of tenths. A drum solo using rim shots follows, then a restatement of the theme and a distinctive conclusion.
The band's laughter
Laughter
Laughing is a reaction to certain stimuli, fundamentally stress, which serves as an emotional balancing mechanism. Traditionally, it is considered a visual expression of happiness, or an inward feeling of joy. It may ensue from hearing a joke, being tickled, or other stimuli...
at the end of the piece illustrates the spontaneity of the recording and the camaraderie of the band. Dave points out in his liner notes that "Unsquare Dance, in 7/4 time, is a challenge to the foot-tappers, finger-snappers and hand-clappers. Deceitfully simple, it refuses to be squared. And the laugh you hear at the end is Joe Morello
Joe Morello
Joseph Albert Morello was a jazz drummer best known for his 12½-year stint with The Dave Brubeck Quartet. He was frequently noted for playing in the unusual time signatures employed by that group in such pieces as "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo à la Turk"...
's guffaw of surprise and relief that we had managed to get through the difficult last chorus". According to one music teacher, "Brubeck calls it 'Unsquare Dance' and it ends with 'Turkey in the Straw
Turkey in the Straw
"Turkey in the Straw" is a well-known American folk song dating from the early 19th century.The song's tune was first popularized in the late 1820s and early 1830s by blackface performers, notably George Washington Dixon, Bob Farrell and George Nichols. Another song, "Zip Coon", was sung to the...
' which is as 'square' as you can get!" At the very end, right after referencing "Turkey in the Straw", the song cleverly quotes the well known musical couplet known in some circles as shave and a haircut... two bits
Shave and a Haircut
Shave and a Haircut and the associated response "two bits" is a simple, 7-note musical couplet popularly used at the end of a musical performance, usually for comic effect....
, with the last note being the seventh in the measure.
"Unsquare Dance" was initially included on the album Time Further Out
Time Further Out
Time Further Out is a 1961 release by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. It features the "Classic Quartet": pianist Dave Brubeck, alto saxophonist Paul Desmond, bassist Eugene Wright, and drummer Joe Morello...
, and even became a hit single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
, peaking at #74 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. Brubeck has since arranged the piece for orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
. Although it is rarely covered, Brubeck has recently endorsed an arrangement and recording by British pianist and composer Paddy Milner
Paddy Milner
Paddy Milner is a Scottish singer-songwriter.-History:After living for a short while in Scotland, Milner spent most of his youth in Dorset, England. It was here that he was exposed to music from an early age and learnt to play the piano...
.