Jazz Music
Definition
Jazz music is a genre that originated among African Americans in New Orleans around the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It's characterized by its complex rhythms, improvisation, distinctive tonal colorings (known as "blue notes"), and syncopated beats.
Analogy
Imagine jazz music as a group conversation where everyone gets their turn to speak (solo), but also listens and responds to what others say (improvisation). The conversation can go anywhere because there's no script - just like jazz!
Related terms
Improvisation: This is creating or performing something spontaneously or without preparation. In jazz music, musicians often improvise solos within songs.
Syncopation: This is a musical term for a variety of rhythms which are in some way unexpected, making part or all of a tune off-beat. In jazz music, syncopation is often used to create rhythmic interest.
Blue Notes: These are notes that fall between the traditional major and minor scales in Western music. They're often used in blues and jazz to create a melancholic or soulful mood.
"Jazz Music" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (2)
- Which of the following did NOT contribute to the spread of jazz music in the 1920s?
- Jazz music that originated from African Americans became popular nationwide mainly due to what invention in the late nineteen-twenties?
Resources
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