Polymodality, counterpoint, and heptatonic synthetic scales in jazz composition; and its application in an original piece "Polymodal Jazz Suite for Quartet”

This dissertation explores the application of polymodality through contrapuntal and homophonic means, combined with heptatonic synthetic scales in jazz composition. The research concentrates on three main areas: polymodality, as developed by Western art composers of the first half of the twentieth century; jazz counterpoint; and heptatonic synthetic scales. The last chapter of the dissertation shows the use of these techniques in the composition of an original jazz suite in four movements for quartet. The appendix contains the complete scores for the entire suite