Audio Asylum Thread Printer

Get a view of an entire thread on one page

FAQ / News / Events

General Asylum

RE: Jazz is a thing musicians "do".

143.109.173.133

In Reply to: RE: Jazz is a thing musicians "do". In defining it, they lose track of what it is (or was)... posted by beach cruiser on June 02, 2025 at 18:41:03

It's possible to "jazz up" any kind of music. Jazz might be more of an attitude than a style, and this "improvisational attitude" might be derived from the expressionistic attitudes displayed in places like Negro prayer meetings predating the display of "Jazz" in popular music...
Hence, the scripture quotation.
Some would insist on linking the Jazz spirit to the rising popularity of syncopation in music during the late 19th/early 20th, but I do not. Because, syncopation galore can be found in the music of J.S. Bach. Nobody thought about "jazzing it up" back in Bach's day, as far as we know (at least not publicly).
After, during the "Classical" music era, more weight was given to improvisation but, for the most part, music was expected to be performed according to composer notation. A new type of musical freedom came into fashion after the "Romantic" era of classicism, during the "Jazz" era.
The pot had been bubbling for a while before "Jazz" music came into vogue, no doubt.

Prayer Meeting (Open in New Window)

Edits: 06/02/25 06/02/25 06/02/25 06/02/25 06/03/25

Follow Ups:

classical jazz - beach cruiser 17:03:16 06/06/25 (0)
I wish I could remember the classical composer who said he would not dream of writing the solo part for ( the great artist I can't remember) the composer might have been Beethoven, or some one as prominent ,because I came across the quotation back in the sixties as a musically poorly informed teenager.. I remember it because I wanted to give my teacher grief for having to play what was written. It appears I wasn't the easiest student.

I understand the point is pretty worthless without facts, but ti seems to imply that some of the classical parts were "head arraignments" such as used by the count Basie band in the early days, where no written arrangements were used , the knew the tune and played it the way it sounded as it should at the time, solo spots included.
if what I suppose is correct, in an age where or could read of write the local language , it is pretty easy to imagine how improvisation in classical music was discarded as time passed . If to ever was there, I not a historian. just used to be a kid with a smart mouth.

Edits: 06/06/25
According to Wynton Marsalis . . . - Brian H P 16:19:24 06/03/25 (1)
. . . the distinguishing features of Jazz are the swing rhythm and the "blues" scale. He notes that MANY other musical traditions employ syncopation and improvisation.
- He could be right... - peppy m. 18:07:47 06/03/25 (0)
  I tend to imagine that those rhythms and scales, along with certain signature sounds, are little more than convenient vehicles instinctively chosen for the purpose of releasing cathartic energy.
  To "Jazz" is to release pressure in a kind of abandonment, the opposite of oppressive orderliness.
  If, in the course of all this, we stumble upon something musically entertaining and marketable ? Then "Hi-de-ho!" - all the better !
  
  Edits: 06/03/25 06/04/25

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: