The classic sound of Rudy Van Gelder. An investigation of the recording techniques used to create the iconic blue note sound

dc.contributor.advisorHerbst, Theo
dc.contributor.authorMathebula, Mthokozisi
dc.date.accessioned2025-09-11T11:12:02Z
dc.date.available2025-09-11T11:12:02Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.updated2025-09-11T10:32:24Z
dc.description.abstractThe Blue Note Sound, a “classic sound” created by Rudy Van Gelder in his Hackensack home during the 1950s, is characterized by the techniques he employed in his recordings, imparting warmth, clarity, and precision. This dissertation explores and evaluates Van Gelder's techniques, their effectiveness, and their potential application in the modern era. This work aims to raise awareness and offers insights and comparisons regarding the unique aesthetics of recordings in jazz. This dissertation takes a self-reflexive approach as it explicitly examines the Blue Note Sound and its effectiveness. To support this, data was collected through critical listening analysis and a comparison of literature, articles, and media captions. The techniques used were based on exploration and experimentation, leading to the creation of the Blue Note Sound, which became the signature sound of the Blue Note Records label in the 1950s and 1960s. This label featured some of the most iconic jazz records of all time. The dissertation aims to demonstrate a clear understanding of the creation of the Blue Note Sound, the evolution of jazz recording sound, and the aesthetics based on specific techniques.
dc.identifier.apacitationMathebula, M. (2025). <i>The classic sound of Rudy Van Gelder. An investigation of the recording techniques used to create the iconic blue note sound</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,College of Music. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41767en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationMathebula, Mthokozisi. <i>"The classic sound of Rudy Van Gelder. An investigation of the recording techniques used to create the iconic blue note sound."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,College of Music, 2025. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41767en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMathebula, M. 2025. The classic sound of Rudy Van Gelder. An investigation of the recording techniques used to create the iconic blue note sound. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,College of Music. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41767en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Mathebula, Mthokozisi AB - The Blue Note Sound, a “classic sound” created by Rudy Van Gelder in his Hackensack home during the 1950s, is characterized by the techniques he employed in his recordings, imparting warmth, clarity, and precision. This dissertation explores and evaluates Van Gelder's techniques, their effectiveness, and their potential application in the modern era. This work aims to raise awareness and offers insights and comparisons regarding the unique aesthetics of recordings in jazz. This dissertation takes a self-reflexive approach as it explicitly examines the Blue Note Sound and its effectiveness. To support this, data was collected through critical listening analysis and a comparison of literature, articles, and media captions. The techniques used were based on exploration and experimentation, leading to the creation of the Blue Note Sound, which became the signature sound of the Blue Note Records label in the 1950s and 1960s. This label featured some of the most iconic jazz records of all time. The dissertation aims to demonstrate a clear understanding of the creation of the Blue Note Sound, the evolution of jazz recording sound, and the aesthetics based on specific techniques. DA - 2025 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Blue note sound KW - Classic sound KW - Recordings LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2025 T1 - The classic sound of Rudy Van Gelder. An investigation of the recording techniques used to create the iconic blue note sound TI - The classic sound of Rudy Van Gelder. An investigation of the recording techniques used to create the iconic blue note sound UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41767 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/41767
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationMathebula M. The classic sound of Rudy Van Gelder. An investigation of the recording techniques used to create the iconic blue note sound. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,College of Music, 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41767en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentCollege of Music
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Humanities
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectBlue note sound
dc.subjectClassic sound
dc.subjectRecordings
dc.titleThe classic sound of Rudy Van Gelder. An investigation of the recording techniques used to create the iconic blue note sound
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
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