Jazz

1. Jazz 7th Grade-Quarter 3

2. Musical Elements of Jazz • African Americans of N.O. created Jazz drawing upon their African background as well as some European musical customs. • Syncopation: The accenting of beats that are not naturally accented. • Improvisation: Spontaneous composition; composing the music as you are playing • Scat: Vocal improvisation using wordless vocables.

3. Instruments of Jazz • Front Line: • Trumpet, trombone, saxophone, clarinet • Rhythm Section: • Piano, guitar/banjo, tuba/string bass, drums

4. Jazz through time • Ragtime: A non-improvised late 19th-early 20th century style of piano music characterized by syncopation. An influence on, and direct precursor of, early jazz. • Dixieland: Early instrumental jazz band music. This name was given to New Orleans style jazz when it began to be played in Northern cities. It was characterized by improvisation on ragtime, French quadrilles, and blue melodies. The “standard” band had a front line of trumpet, trombone and clarinet; with a rhythm section of tuba/string bass, guitar/banjo, piano, and drums.

5. Swing: Jazz form that came about in the 1930’s with the advent of the big bands in major northern cities (Chicago, Kansas City, New York). It is characterized by the use of written arrangements on top of which soloists would improvise, and by a “big band” (5 saxophones, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, & 4-piece rhythm section). It was the dominant form of American pop music from 1935-’45. • Bebop: Jazz form that came about in the 1940’s. It is characterized by a fast tempo, dissonance, instrumental virtuosity, and improvisation.

6. Cool Jazz: Style of jazz that developed in the 1950’s. It is characterized by a relaxed tempo, lighter tone, and the use of formal arrangements. • Fusion: Style of jazz that developed in the 1960’s & 70’s mixing elements of jazz, rock, funk, R&B, and non-western musical elements (Ex: Indian).

7. Listening Selections