harmolodics

British  

/ ˌhɑːməˈlɒdɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) jazz the technique of each musician in a group simultaneously improvising around the melodic and rhythmic patterns in a tune, rather than one musician improvising on its underlying harmonic pattern while the others play an accompaniment

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Other Word Forms

• harmolodic adjective

Etymology

Origin of harmolodics

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

“Just Me, Just Me” is his lockdown-era play on “Just You, Just Me” — though it’s got more in common with Ornette Coleman’s wily harmolodics than with any prewar jazz standard.

From New York Times • Jan. 7, 2022

Garcia was a longtime fan and occasional collaborator with the late jazz saxophonist Ornette Coleman, whose theory of harmolodics was reflected in the Dead's democratic approach to jamming.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 5, 2015

Coleman's outlaw approach involved what he called "harmolodics" - breaking away from traditional harmonic structure and "removing the caste system from music."

From Reuters • Jun. 11, 2015