How do I understand direct and indirect characterization?

Natural minor half steps between scale degrees 3 and 4; 7 and 8 harmonic minor half steps between scale degrees 2 and 3; 5 and 6 ascending melodic minor half steps between scale degrees 2 and 3; 5 and 6; 7 and 8 major half steps between scale degrees 2 and 3; 7 and 8

Which lines from the weary blues suggest that the speaker is impressed by the musician?

How did duke ellington create a new musical style that grew out of the ragtime tradition?