Features Of Jazz Brief Essay

Jazz is the unique musical style that emerged in the late 19th – early 20th century under the impact of the blend of existing styles and growing popularity of African American music. This is why Jazz had some elements, which could be traced in other African American styles as well as partially in the white music, but also it had unique elements.

Distinct features that make jazz different from previous popular styles include, syncopation, swing 8th notes, improvisation, and extended harmony – chords containing pitches beyond a triad. In fact, the combination of the sheer improvisation with the extended harmony is the combination of African American and European music.

At the same time, jazz tended to use traditional instruments but in the different way compared to other styles. This is why many of the instruments found in jazz can also be found in other popular styles but here are some instrumental sounds that are more common to jazz, including: muted sounds, (cup, straight, harmon, plunger), stride piano, walking bass, comping (piano),  and others.

 

This is why the key features of jazz can be found in other musical styles like vocal blues. Vocal blues sounds imitated by early jazz instrumentalists.  These sounds have found their way into other popular styles such as country, rhythm & blues, and rock ‘n’ roll so while there were unique to blues and jazz, that is no longer the case. The following are distinct vocal features of jazz: slow vibrato, fast vibrato, terminal vibrato, smear, scoop, drop-off, and doit.

Thus, the development of jazz marked the growing popularity of African American music in the US. Its distinct features, such as syncopation, swing 8th notes, and improvisation are features of African American music mainly. The development of jazz stimulated the diversification and enrichment of other styles as well.

 

Works Cited:

McNamara, L.L. A Brief History of Jazz.

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]
close
Haven't found the right essay?
Get an expert to write you the one you need!
print

Professional writers and researchers

quotes

Sources and citation are provided

clock

3 hour delivery

person