Themes of Traditional
Polish Dances in
Modern Improvised
Music

Piotr Orzechowski

Introduction
¡ Meaning of the Topic
- Second meaning
- Thesis
- Why dances?

Introduction cont.
¡ My musical background
- Musical Family
- Classic & Jazz
- Polish Culture &
Berklee Valencia

Polish Dances
¡ Regions
- Mazovia
- Kuyavia
- Lesser Poland
¡ Groups
- Dances in triple meter
- Dances in duple meter

Dances in triple meter
¡ Oberek
- Fast & vigorous
- AABB form
- Violin, bass & drum
- Improvisation
- Important role

Dances in triple meter, cont.
¡ Mazur
- Oberek from Mazovia
- Differences:
Tempo, Melody
- Recognition
- Polish Anthem

Dances in triple meter, cont.
¡ Kujawiak
- From Kuyavia
- Similar form and rhythm
- Melancholic tone &
slower tempo
- Polish core

Dances in triple meter, cont.
¡ Polonez
- Ceremonial tone
- Special Accents
- Recognition

Dances in duple meter
¡ Krakowiak
- From Lesser Poland
- Fast & dynamic
- AABBCCD… form
- Syncopation
- Polish spirit

Dances in duple meter,
cont.
¡ Zbójnicki
- From Podhale
- Special Scale
- Energetic,
Man’s dance
- Suite form
- String ensamble
- Very influential

Modern Improvised Music
¡ What is the improvisation?
- State of mind, which allows us to create
- Way to express feelings
- Live act, Composition
¡ What is the role of improvisation?
- Improvisation in Classical Music
- Improvisation in Jazz
- Modern Trends and Improvisation

Classical Music and
Improvisation
¡ Perfection vs. Identity
- Rules affected by human aspect
- Entertaining or enlightening role?
- Composer: Servant or careerist?
¡ Role of Improvisation
- Romanticism & folk music
- Composition = Improvisation?

Jazz and Improvisation
¡ Jazz attributes
- Folk roots
- New meaning of
improvisation
¡ Direction of Jazz
- Individuality
- Coming back to
folk
- Modern trends

Investigation
¡ Berklee Valencia
- Observations & Conclusions
- Questions & Answers
- What to do next?
¡ Next Steps
- Steps to be taken by a
Creative Musician
- My first Step

Steps to be taken by a
Crative Musician
¡ First Step: Exploration & Experience
- To mix folkloric themes and forms with already
existing musical language.
¡ Second Step: Consciousness and Creation
- To create own music with a knowledge of folkloric
musical characteristics.
¡ Third Step: Imagination and Invention
- To find a new formula, in which folkloric
characteristics would a main fundament of the
entire musical structure (new genre).

My First Step
¡ Oberek for solo piano
- Extended AABB
- Different melodies
- Syncopation
- Improvisation &
Style

My First Step, cont.
¡ Oberek for quartet
- Guitar, Piano, Bass & Drums
- Counterpoint
- Improvised theme
- Solos in the style

My First Step, cont.
¡ Zbójnicki for duo
- Piano & Double bass
- Melody based on scale
- Suite form
- Solos in the style

Fine
www.pianohooligan.com

Thank You!