The Musical Characteristics of Jazz

 Musical characteristics of jazz

Tonality 

Jazz tonality can range from Major, Minor, Modal and even atonal tonality

Harmony 

 jazz harmony relies on extended chords like 9ths, 11ths and 13ths

Extensions 

 It uses progressions built on seventh chords, one of the most common progressions is ii-V-I. The chord types include Major 7, Dominant 7, Half-diminished and Diminished 7 chords

Scales 

 There is no typical "Jazz scale" but common scales in jazz music include different modes of the Major scale such as Dorian and Lydian, jazz musicians choose their scales based on the underlying chords used, Dorian and Lydian are common because they use seventh notes

Riffs 

 Jazz musicians can play riffs to build texture, support the soloist, it can also be used as a solo and the common characteristics are arpeggios and chromatic notes to add colour and sophistication

Rhythms 

 The common rhythm of jazz is swung which is labelled the cornerstone of jazz rhythm. Jazz uses syncopated rhythms heavily which accents weak beats or offbeat subdivisions which makes a lively, surprising rhythm

Melody 

 Jazz melody typically follows a AABA structure with each section being 8 bars long and there is usually an improvised solo over that repeated melody

Instruments 

 The typical jazz instruments used are trumpet, saxophone, piano, double bass and a drum kit. The good thing about jazz is that it doesn't have to be carried by vocals and its very common for it just to be instruments

Textures 

 Typical jazz textures include homophonic with a distinct melody with an accompaniment or polyphonic which is a more chaotic layered texture with lots of different melodies stacked

Lyrics 

 Common themes in jazz lyrics are love, sadness, optimism and just everyday life

Instrumental Techniques  

 Jazz instrumental techniques are usually scoops, slides and turns to give a unique sounds these are often used in the collective improvisations jazz musicians do. Jazz musicians use their knowledge on theory like their scales to do their improvisation and they can do this in a solo way or they could do this layered with other improvised melodies to create a polyphonic sounds. 

Important notation

< This is the vocal melody notation of Elle Fitzgerald's cover of Mack the Knife.

3 Sub-genres of Jazz

- 3 subgenres of jazz are Trad jazz, Latin jazz and jazz rock.

- Trad jazz- originated in the early 20th century in New Orleans, the instrumentation features a frontline, which is typically a trumpet, clarinet or trombone. It often features syncopated rhythms and fast tempos, it's influenced by blues and rag time. Its key features include energetic melodies and collective improv. -Jambalaya - Barber Chris.1986

- Latin Jazz- emerged in the US in the 1940s and 50s, it incorporates rhythm of Latin American music, specifically from Cuba and Brazil. The key instruments used in Latin Jazz are percussion such as congas, bongos and the rhythmic Clave pattern. It is influenced by Afro-Cuban jazz and Bossa Nova, the key features of Latin Jazz are complex, vibrant rhythms and energetic brass arrangements. - Bésame Mama - Poncho Sanchez

- Jazz Rock- Originated from late 1960s fusion movement, the typical jazz instruments are used blended with rock instruments with a lot of electric instruments. The rhythm incorporates a on a strong rock back beat and dance rhythms in a typical 4/4 beat. The harmony uses typical jazz chords, complex harmonies while keeping the rock instrumentation. It often features a Distortion guitar sound and synthesizers. It is obviously influenced by typical rock but also Blues rock. - Chick Corea Featuring Jamie Glaser - Rumble (Live)

Opinions on Subgenre's 

My favourite out of the 3 subgenres is Latin Jazz , the reason it is my favorite is because of the percussive elements to it. I believe it gives it a unique sound which can sound calming however also upbeat and exciting. Also the sound of the Clave tickles my brain.

Famous musicians of the different sub-genres

A famous trad jazz musician is Louis Armstrong, he is a household name and although he influenced many genres and eras of jazz he is best known for his trad jazz style. He was a trumpeter and a vocalist, the reason he is so influential is because he went through so much such as poverty, racism and segregation yet he went onto be as some know him as the "King of Jazz".

A famous Latin jazz musician is Mario Bauza, people believe his is the main inventor of the Latin Jazz style, he brought Cuban musical styles to the era of New York jazz. He is a trumpeter, composer and bandleader. The first song he composed called "Tanga" is considered the first true Afro-Cuban  jazz tune.

A famous Jazz Rock musician is Miles Davies his use of electronic instruments helped define the start of the genre. He was called "the most influential jazz musician in the post WW2 era". He was a trumpeter, bandleader and composer. He is most famous for being a innovator and his jazz fusion bringing new techniques into the jazz genre.

Evolution of Jazz

Jazz originated in the late 19th/early 20th century, it came from New Orleans from African traditions. It eventually started to have big band arrangements and dance rhythms which is what made it grow in popularity. Jazz began to grown into a genre that had many different subgenre's, from relaxed cool jazz, to up-beat complex rhythms. Then in the late 1960's the term "Jazz Fusion" came to life where artists were experimenting with blending the jazz style with other styles and new instruments giving it a modern electric feel. 

What Jazz has in common with other styles 

The most notable thing jazz has in common with other styles is its improv, the complex harmonies and rhythms, call and response, syncopation and most notably its tie to African-American musical traditions.