Jazz - 1920 to Present Day

Jazz - 1920 to Present Day

1. Cultural Factors

   • Jazz is often seen as a fusion of African and European music as it is African folk music combined with European roots
   • It derives from Afro-American music, mainly its work songs and spiritual music
   • It thrived post-World War One and so helped to symbolise freedom
   • Developed in urban areas of the US
   • Emerged in the black cultures of New Orleans from the mixed influences of Ragtime, blues and the band music played at their funerals

2. Influences on Jazz Music

   • African and European music
   • In conjunction with the Roaring Twenties
   • The invention of the radio meant more people were introduced to it
   • Various musical influences include creole, ragtime and blues
   • The term "jazz" derives from a Creole word meaning African dance
   • Evolved in the 1920s in New Orleans, Chicago and Kansas City and was performed by both black and white orchestras/ensembles

3. Impact of Factors on Jazz Music

   • Younger generations used the influence of jazz to rebel against traditional culture
   • Equality for women became more popular and this combined with the rebelling of younger generations led to trends like flappers and more female smokers
   • Jazz led to more integration between races, it brought people together
   • It influenced the style of newer music like rock and roll

4. Approaches to Composition

   • Simple but fast
   • Rhythmic
   • Many various forms ie. hot jazz which featured a soloist with variations in melody and accompanied by five or seven players

5. Features/Concepts Used

   • Vocals
     • Scat
   • Instruments
     • Wind instruments
     • Piano
     • Bass
     • Drums
     • Guitar
     • Various saxes
   • Playing Techniques
     • Cadenza
     • Arpeggio
     • Walking bass
     • Riff
     • Slap bass
     • Saxophone/trumpet growl
   • Texture/Structure/Form
     • Improvisation
     • Repetition
     • Simple
     • Composition
     • Call and response
     • Countermelody
     • Polyphonic
   • Melody/Harmony
     • Syncopation
     • Harmonies
     • Cadence
   • Style
     • Swing
     • Blues
     • Ballad
   • Scales
     • Five tone scale
     • Chromatic scale
     • Pentatonic scale
     • Whole tone scale
   • Rhythm/Tempo
     • Driving rhythm
     • 3/4 metre
     • Steady rhythm