Du o Jag : Ett arbete om relationen mellan musiker i jazzduospel

In this bachelor thesis I explore both the challenges and the advantages I face as a jazz pianist in duo performance. The purpose is to explore my insecurities when faced with the responsibility a duo setting provides as well as obtain a better understanding of how I as a pianist can communicate with my fellow musicians. I ask the following research questions: 1. What abilities can I develop to be able to take a leading role harmonically, rhythmically and structurally as a jazz pianist in a duo situation? 2. How can I as a jazz pianist assume different roles in different duo constellations, and thereby creating both trust and room for initiative from all participating musicians? The research method consists of playing duo with a bassist, a singer and a trombonist. I met with each of these musicians three times and played the same four jazz standards each time. These sessions were recorded and thematically analysed. During my research I have become more comfortable when playing in a duo setting and I have also learned more about how to handle the mental obstacles such a setting entails.