Type of music : Jazz
As an introduction, Jazz is a style of music which originated in New Orleans, America. This occurred in the early 20th Century.
Although jazz music originated in America, other styles of music have had an impact on the features of jazz music. Using the article which summaries the 'Where did jazz come from?', I observed that African music provided rhythm to the music and providing a"bluesy" feel to jazz. Improvisation, which is a feature of African music, is also used in African music which is performed during solo sections. During the "solo" sections of a typical jazz standard, each jazz musician is required to 'take the stage' on their own to improvise.
Music, by the Africans, was vital in their daily lives as it was a demonstrative form of expression as said in the article. Music can express a range of emotions, however, in African music, this was focused on maintaining the unity of the social group. All Africans, from the youngest to the oldest, used music to work and play and for social and religious activities.
Africans communicate music to each other orally, rather than through written work like composers in the classical period notate this music. Each generation passes their musical knowledge on to the next creating an integrated oral tradition. The result is an exceptionally expressive language as sometimes the ideas were changed.
African slaves brought these traditions to the United States and nurtured them while enduring the hardship of slavery. Slaves did not intentionally invent a new music. Instead, the new music arose unconsciously from the transplantation of the African culture to a new world and through the struggle for survival of African Americans.
The music training of the Creoles and the spontaneous oral tradition of African Americans resulted in an early form of jazz. Creole music, a blend of oral and European musical traditions, contributed harmonic and formal structure to this early jazz music.
The music training of the Creoles and the spontaneous oral tradition of African Americans resulted in an early form of jazz. Creole music, a blend of oral and European musical traditions, contributed harmonic and formal structure to this early jazz music.
Jazz also gets the variety of instruments it uses from European music, together with the harmonies. The majority of the harmonies (chords/chord progressions) in jazz music are very similar to classical harmonies.
http://www.jazzinamerica.org/lessonplan/5/1/242
A jazz performance featuring an original composition would typically begin with a main melody of the song called a "head" in jazz terms. Once this is played, the musicians would then improvise over it or its harmonies. Often the performance will conclude with returning back to the main tune/melody, resulting in a 'sandwich' structure.
http://www.jazzinamerica.org/lessonplan/5/1/242
A jazz performance featuring an original composition would typically begin with a main melody of the song called a "head" in jazz terms. Once this is played, the musicians would then improvise over it or its harmonies. Often the performance will conclude with returning back to the main tune/melody, resulting in a 'sandwich' structure.
The sound
The trumpet, very frequently used in jazz, is the smallest member of its family and plays in the highest pitch. Some jazz musicians play the flugelhorn in place of the trumpet due to their similarities. The main difference between the trumpet and the flugelhorn is the sound. Whilst the trumpet has a sharper, more brighter tone, the flugelhorn is warmer and mellow(one reason for this is due to the deeper cup on the mouthpiece) which can make it suited to some jazz performances such as 'Song for my Father' where the musician is playing the flugelhorn. I attached a video below where a flugelhornist plays Horace Silvers 'Song For my Father'.
Although jazz sounds are quite difficult to describe as stated on the article, the sounds of jazz can sound very contrasting from smooth and warm to raspy and edgy as each musician is unique and jazz musicians will reproduce an idea they hear or imagine in the mind on their instruments.
Jazz musicians also play uniquely when improvising in the solo sections. This is the time where each musician can play on their own with the accompanying instruments to improvise over the main tune.
The tune/melody of the standard would differ how the musician improvises over the chords as the standard has a specific sound which the composer has aimed for it to have. The way that the tune and melody is coordinates with each other can have an effect on the harmonies, melodies and rhythms composed on the spot during the solo. Usually, when I improvise and lose ideas to play, I would take refer to the standard to build up on a motif from the melody/tune such as the first two notes of Herbie Hancock's 'Cantaloupe Island'.
The improvisation used in jazz can also create a "free" sounding standard as the notes and melodies aren't restricted to the player.
http://www.jazzinamerica.org/lessonplan/5/1/246
The sound each jazz musician makes on their instrument is dependent on the type of instrument and the style of their playing. The aim of most jazz musicians, according to the article is that they all strive to have their own personal sound/tone on their instrument instead of playing like "any other trumpeter". Jazz listeners of long periods of time are able to hear the differences between the sound of differing jazz musicians such as Wynton Marsalis and Miles Davis, both jazz trumpeters.
On the trumpet, I was taught by my private tutor that a unique sound is developed by firstly improving the tone quality and through playing over a long period of time. It is usually noticed by an audience rather than yourself. Tone quality is altered by mouthpiece buzzing(when the mouthpiece is unattached to the instrument): the process of using the lips and the mouthpiece to create a "buzzing" sound together.
Lastly, the recordings of the different saxophonists below, differences between their sound can be heard. Charlie Parker - A night in Tunisia and John Coltrane - Giant Steps.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxH83kmjpyw
As an example, during a performance, Duke Ellington was leading his band from the piano where he occasionally gives signals to the other musicians by nodding, giving a knowing look, or saying an "Ahhhhh!" to cue the band. Cues, which are always non verbal, can be audible in some circumstances. They may even demonstrate cues by using their instrument. On the piano, a low note can be played or the drummer could play a simple rhythm.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/what-to-listen-to-and-watch-for-when-enjoying-jazz-180954723 The balance of all of the musicians is presented in the solo sections where each musician would take a solo whilst accompanying when another musician. You would see that during a performance, the musicians contribute to the whole collective of jazz. Each musician would know when it's their turn to take the spotlight, one soloist after another.
The solo would come to an end by decreasing the excitement which was present throughout the solo by gradually coming to a good stopping point, allowing the next soloist to notice and pick up from there. In jazz, the coordination between the musicians on stage makes the music look "natural" which is based on the African oral tradition. Jazz was a style of music which used oral tradition to learn. Due to this, when musicians would learn, they would have to do so orally with another musician, with coordination and imitation. This could be a reason as to why when jazz musicians perform on stage, they present themselves as a band "together".
A jazz performance which is a good example of the points I have mentioned is shown below. Cantaloupe Island-Herbie Hancock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrgP1u5YWEg
Use of equipment
http://www.jazzinamerica.org/lessonplan/5/1/246
A typical jazz standard would consist of the instruments in a jazz ensemble. These instruments are separated into the front line and back line instruments. The saxophone, trumpet and trombone are the typical front line instruments which are responsible for playing the melodies (the head) and improvise in the solo section.
On the other hand, there is a rhythm section (the back line instruments) which accompany the front line instruments, or in jazz terms, "comping". These instruments usually consist of the drums, bass, piano which are responsible for providing the rhythm to support the horn players as well as each other. The way that the "comping" section would support each other during the solo sections where the pianist is soloing, listening to the drummer who is responsible for keeping the time and rhythm. When the pianist takes a solo, they improvise playing single notes in the right hand while comping the chords in the left hand. The drummer and bassist may also take solos where they will listen to the other player for accompaniment and support.
The role of the bassist is said to "lay down a great groove" according to the article. The bass is the foundation or the glue which keeps the band together by playing the root of the chords. For example, the pianist would play the chord according to the root played by the bassist.
The drummer, apart from keeping a steady beat, the drummer could introduce rhythmic accents and complement what front line instruments play during the improvised solos.
The guitar in jazz is very versatile to the reason that they can play as a horn player (playing the melodies) or like a comping instrument (playing chords like the pianist is
doing.
A typical jazz standard would similar to Tony Glausi band which he performs with. Tony Glausi's nine piece band consists of the trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax, trombone, baritone sax, the guitar, keyboards, electric bass and drums. One of Tony Glausi's recordings with the whole band is attached as a video below.
How it is encountered:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/what-to-listen-to-and-watch-for-when-enjoying-jazz-180954723/
The ways that you come into contact with jazz:
Recording, radio and online platforms are some ways in which jazz can be heard today. The influences of jazz can also be found in modern melodies of pop, rock, hip-hop, rap and bluegrass music. Through listening or playing jazz music, the melodies and rhythms are usually learned by ear, which can also be called ear-interpretation. The jazz players' ear tradition, passed on by many generations
Unlike classical music, jazz thrives for the audiences reactions from the swing and syncopated rhythms that jazz music gives which refuses to sit still. With the connection between call and response elements (when a vocalist/instrumentalist plays a phrase and another musician responds with a relating answering phrase) and jazz, this can result in jazz to be guided by active conversation. Listening to jazz music includes playing attention and as much, responding.
The relation to the body:
https://www.yamaha.com/en/musical_instrument_guide/trumpet/play/
Brass instruments, which are frequently used in jazz have specific playing techniques such as using an embouchure.
Jazz relates to the body through the playing of the instruments which involves several pars of the body. With the playing of the trumpet, it is held horizontally so that it is in position with the face and buzzing your lips into the mouthpiece (attached to the instrument will create a sound while pressing down the three valves in various combinations will change the pitch.
On the other hand, the trombone is the only instrument in the brass family which uses a slide instead of valves. However, the buzzing into the mouthpiece is still required with this instrument.
The term embouchure is the way that the lips and jaw are placed to come into contact with the trumpet mouthpiece. The embouchure affects a range of factors including the pitch, range and articulation as to make these changes on the instrument, it comes from the way the air is passed through the instrument which happens first at the embouchure.
There is a difference between good and poor embouchure as these can affect the tone. For example, a poor embouchure could create a restricted sound and an inaccurate pitch.
In contrast, the comping instruments, including the drum kit, guitar and piano are played with the hands with various methods including plucking, pressing down keys and hitting a drum with a drumstick or the hands.
https://edm.com/features/develop-your-sound
Solo musicians will often find characteristic way to develop their own sound with contrasting methods. This could include using vibrato, hitting certain notes with the fingers to create an accent or emphasis on a note or even softer or using slurring (dragging on the notes by note transitioning without separating the notes on the instrument).On the trumpet slurring would occur when the notes are joined without 'tonguing' the notes.
How it relates to other issues:
Jazz relates to some of the racism which occurred in America where there were negative social conditions that the blacks faced. Despite this, they were still able to benefit from respect and recognition from being the inventors of jazz music.
Jazz music focuses on the exploitation of black jazz musicians by whites in the industry and identifies whether they benefited from the white's innovations.
Jazz was and still is important musically to the African Americans during their journey to freedom in America. Improvisation, which is when musicians would compose melodies on the spot from their own preferences, was called a principal of freedom. Improvisation is completely free to the musician.
Nowadays, many African Americans still face similar social circumstances as those of the past musicians and therefore, the importance of the African American culture is still not being noticed.
How it exists in time -
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/history_of_jazz.htm
In London, jazz is a style of music which you would hear at concerts/jazz cafe's or solo performances. This could be due to the growing popularity of television where popular music was introduced, making jazz audiences get smaller. The record industry then had a fatal trend on jazz music from the Rock & Roll (in the mid 1960's) and Disco Dance (in the 1970's).
In the end, many jazz artists and performers moved over to more popular venues and or joined the New fusion school of jazz.
The history of jazz from the 1950's to the late 1800's to today, the most modern type of jazz is The Blues. The blues originated from the south and as derived by the African-Americans who expressed their emotion from everyday struggles through their music. These could be things such as the losing loved ones(pain), money, job etc.
The way that jazz has changed in terms of the mood is that blues was usually listened with a blue perspective due to the lyrics and melodic features which were chosen.
Wynton Marsalis says that you "should no longer feel sad when listening to the blues" and he gave one of his musical examples to show this.
Using the Link, there is a clickable link to hear the extract under the heading...
Late 1800s–Today
The Blues: Back to the Source
To conclude this, jazz is listened to by people of all cultures and ethnicities which includes musical elements and styles from all over the world from just being music which originated in America.
Other sources used
The trumpet, very frequently used in jazz, is the smallest member of its family and plays in the highest pitch. Some jazz musicians play the flugelhorn in place of the trumpet due to their similarities. The main difference between the trumpet and the flugelhorn is the sound. Whilst the trumpet has a sharper, more brighter tone, the flugelhorn is warmer and mellow(one reason for this is due to the deeper cup on the mouthpiece) which can make it suited to some jazz performances such as 'Song for my Father' where the musician is playing the flugelhorn. I attached a video below where a flugelhornist plays Horace Silvers 'Song For my Father'.
Although jazz sounds are quite difficult to describe as stated on the article, the sounds of jazz can sound very contrasting from smooth and warm to raspy and edgy as each musician is unique and jazz musicians will reproduce an idea they hear or imagine in the mind on their instruments.
Jazz musicians also play uniquely when improvising in the solo sections. This is the time where each musician can play on their own with the accompanying instruments to improvise over the main tune.
The tune/melody of the standard would differ how the musician improvises over the chords as the standard has a specific sound which the composer has aimed for it to have. The way that the tune and melody is coordinates with each other can have an effect on the harmonies, melodies and rhythms composed on the spot during the solo. Usually, when I improvise and lose ideas to play, I would take refer to the standard to build up on a motif from the melody/tune such as the first two notes of Herbie Hancock's 'Cantaloupe Island'.
The improvisation used in jazz can also create a "free" sounding standard as the notes and melodies aren't restricted to the player.
http://www.jazzinamerica.org/lessonplan/5/1/246
The sound each jazz musician makes on their instrument is dependent on the type of instrument and the style of their playing. The aim of most jazz musicians, according to the article is that they all strive to have their own personal sound/tone on their instrument instead of playing like "any other trumpeter". Jazz listeners of long periods of time are able to hear the differences between the sound of differing jazz musicians such as Wynton Marsalis and Miles Davis, both jazz trumpeters.
On the trumpet, I was taught by my private tutor that a unique sound is developed by firstly improving the tone quality and through playing over a long period of time. It is usually noticed by an audience rather than yourself. Tone quality is altered by mouthpiece buzzing(when the mouthpiece is unattached to the instrument): the process of using the lips and the mouthpiece to create a "buzzing" sound together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxH83kmjpyw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30FTr6G53VU
The sightAs an example, during a performance, Duke Ellington was leading his band from the piano where he occasionally gives signals to the other musicians by nodding, giving a knowing look, or saying an "Ahhhhh!" to cue the band. Cues, which are always non verbal, can be audible in some circumstances. They may even demonstrate cues by using their instrument. On the piano, a low note can be played or the drummer could play a simple rhythm.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/what-to-listen-to-and-watch-for-when-enjoying-jazz-180954723 The balance of all of the musicians is presented in the solo sections where each musician would take a solo whilst accompanying when another musician. You would see that during a performance, the musicians contribute to the whole collective of jazz. Each musician would know when it's their turn to take the spotlight, one soloist after another.
The solo would come to an end by decreasing the excitement which was present throughout the solo by gradually coming to a good stopping point, allowing the next soloist to notice and pick up from there. In jazz, the coordination between the musicians on stage makes the music look "natural" which is based on the African oral tradition. Jazz was a style of music which used oral tradition to learn. Due to this, when musicians would learn, they would have to do so orally with another musician, with coordination and imitation. This could be a reason as to why when jazz musicians perform on stage, they present themselves as a band "together".
A jazz performance which is a good example of the points I have mentioned is shown below. Cantaloupe Island-Herbie Hancock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrgP1u5YWEg
Use of equipment
http://www.jazzinamerica.org/lessonplan/5/1/246
A typical jazz standard would consist of the instruments in a jazz ensemble. These instruments are separated into the front line and back line instruments. The saxophone, trumpet and trombone are the typical front line instruments which are responsible for playing the melodies (the head) and improvise in the solo section.
On the other hand, there is a rhythm section (the back line instruments) which accompany the front line instruments, or in jazz terms, "comping". These instruments usually consist of the drums, bass, piano which are responsible for providing the rhythm to support the horn players as well as each other. The way that the "comping" section would support each other during the solo sections where the pianist is soloing, listening to the drummer who is responsible for keeping the time and rhythm. When the pianist takes a solo, they improvise playing single notes in the right hand while comping the chords in the left hand. The drummer and bassist may also take solos where they will listen to the other player for accompaniment and support.
The role of the bassist is said to "lay down a great groove" according to the article. The bass is the foundation or the glue which keeps the band together by playing the root of the chords. For example, the pianist would play the chord according to the root played by the bassist.
The drummer, apart from keeping a steady beat, the drummer could introduce rhythmic accents and complement what front line instruments play during the improvised solos.
The guitar in jazz is very versatile to the reason that they can play as a horn player (playing the melodies) or like a comping instrument (playing chords like the pianist is
doing.
A typical jazz standard would similar to Tony Glausi band which he performs with. Tony Glausi's nine piece band consists of the trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax, trombone, baritone sax, the guitar, keyboards, electric bass and drums. One of Tony Glausi's recordings with the whole band is attached as a video below.
How it is encountered:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/what-to-listen-to-and-watch-for-when-enjoying-jazz-180954723/
The ways that you come into contact with jazz:
Recording, radio and online platforms are some ways in which jazz can be heard today. The influences of jazz can also be found in modern melodies of pop, rock, hip-hop, rap and bluegrass music. Through listening or playing jazz music, the melodies and rhythms are usually learned by ear, which can also be called ear-interpretation. The jazz players' ear tradition, passed on by many generations
The article states that jazz “can be gratifying without deep knowledge of its underlying structure,” which comes from a book called 'Discover Jazz by Hasse and Lathrop.
Unlike classical music, jazz thrives for the audiences reactions from the swing and syncopated rhythms that jazz music gives which refuses to sit still. With the connection between call and response elements (when a vocalist/instrumentalist plays a phrase and another musician responds with a relating answering phrase) and jazz, this can result in jazz to be guided by active conversation. Listening to jazz music includes playing attention and as much, responding.
The relation to the body:
https://www.yamaha.com/en/musical_instrument_guide/trumpet/play/
Brass instruments, which are frequently used in jazz have specific playing techniques such as using an embouchure.
Jazz relates to the body through the playing of the instruments which involves several pars of the body. With the playing of the trumpet, it is held horizontally so that it is in position with the face and buzzing your lips into the mouthpiece (attached to the instrument will create a sound while pressing down the three valves in various combinations will change the pitch.
On the other hand, the trombone is the only instrument in the brass family which uses a slide instead of valves. However, the buzzing into the mouthpiece is still required with this instrument.
The term embouchure is the way that the lips and jaw are placed to come into contact with the trumpet mouthpiece. The embouchure affects a range of factors including the pitch, range and articulation as to make these changes on the instrument, it comes from the way the air is passed through the instrument which happens first at the embouchure.
There is a difference between good and poor embouchure as these can affect the tone. For example, a poor embouchure could create a restricted sound and an inaccurate pitch.
In contrast, the comping instruments, including the drum kit, guitar and piano are played with the hands with various methods including plucking, pressing down keys and hitting a drum with a drumstick or the hands.
https://edm.com/features/develop-your-sound
Solo musicians will often find characteristic way to develop their own sound with contrasting methods. This could include using vibrato, hitting certain notes with the fingers to create an accent or emphasis on a note or even softer or using slurring (dragging on the notes by note transitioning without separating the notes on the instrument).On the trumpet slurring would occur when the notes are joined without 'tonguing' the notes.
How it relates to other issues:
Jazz relates to some of the racism which occurred in America where there were negative social conditions that the blacks faced. Despite this, they were still able to benefit from respect and recognition from being the inventors of jazz music.
Jazz music focuses on the exploitation of black jazz musicians by whites in the industry and identifies whether they benefited from the white's innovations.
Jazz was and still is important musically to the African Americans during their journey to freedom in America. Improvisation, which is when musicians would compose melodies on the spot from their own preferences, was called a principal of freedom. Improvisation is completely free to the musician.
There are a collection of songs which represent the freedom struggle. In Duke Ellington's 'Black brown and beige' pt4, a collaboration of jazz and gospel, you could feel emotions such as sadness and pain conveyed in the music. It's about the feelings of black without angriness.
How it exists in time -
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/history_of_jazz.htm
In London, jazz is a style of music which you would hear at concerts/jazz cafe's or solo performances. This could be due to the growing popularity of television where popular music was introduced, making jazz audiences get smaller. The record industry then had a fatal trend on jazz music from the Rock & Roll (in the mid 1960's) and Disco Dance (in the 1970's).
In the end, many jazz artists and performers moved over to more popular venues and or joined the New fusion school of jazz.
The history of jazz from the 1950's to the late 1800's to today, the most modern type of jazz is The Blues. The blues originated from the south and as derived by the African-Americans who expressed their emotion from everyday struggles through their music. These could be things such as the losing loved ones(pain), money, job etc.
The way that jazz has changed in terms of the mood is that blues was usually listened with a blue perspective due to the lyrics and melodic features which were chosen.
Wynton Marsalis says that you "should no longer feel sad when listening to the blues" and he gave one of his musical examples to show this.
Using the Link, there is a clickable link to hear the extract under the heading...
Late 1800s–Today
The Blues: Back to the Source
To conclude this, jazz is listened to by people of all cultures and ethnicities which includes musical elements and styles from all over the world from just being music which originated in America.
Other sources used
www.halgalper.com/articles/the-oral-tradition/
https://www.npr.org/sections/ablogsupreme/2012/06/18/155318747/five-jazz-songs-which-speak-of-the-freedom-struggle?t=1543697504102
https://www.npr.org/sections/ablogsupreme/2012/06/18/155318747/five-jazz-songs-which-speak-of-the-freedom-struggle?t=1543697504102
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