...1. Introduction: We often use the word “Jazz” to describe an era, not just in music, but in culture itself, which began in the late 1910s and lasted for the whole of the ‘20s. This era wasn’t yet a modern one, but it was beyond old-times and carried itself as its own entity. The music that came from it was its own as well; the world had left behind typical baroque, romantic, and classical styles, but this was completely singular to any of those. It was a unique, clunky sound both classic and revolutionary. And as the world moved forward into the mid-1900s, developing into the one we observe now, this style was exactly the right, new quality to accompany it. 2. The History of Jazz: But where did it actually come from? As far as anyone can look,...
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...Jazz and Rap What is known today as “pop” or popular music evolved in American society at the end of 19th centry. Pop music, which accounts for the majority of the music, is a mix of many different styles of music, such as jazz and rap. Although jazz and rap originate from two different groups of people, the African-American and South African, they are both musical art forms and related to African people. However, there are some obvious differences, which are reflected in instruments, musical styles and effects on the audience. First of all, different instruments have different effects on jazz and rap. Considering many genres of jazz, many instruments are used, such as piano, violin and guitar. “Meanwhile, the central instruments remained central, with the exception of the clarinet, and new approaches developed for the trombone, saxophone, piano, guitar, string bass, and drums”(Kernfeld 167). On the other hand, rap has no specific instruments to be used. Instead, making vocal imitations of instruments or body beat, which have the same effects as a drum, is the core of rap music. In addition, musical styles differ between jazz and rap. Heavy rhythms characterize the free-style poetry of rap. “Rhythm is such a key element to making a song sound great, the rhythm is actually where the lyrics begin for many artists-the rhythm is the first thing they come up with, before they even have words for the song”(Edwards p113-116) Moreover, the free-style rap is full of battle...
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...analyze, critique, and help us to understand the music of the Harlem Renaissance and the Pop Art periods. The social conditions that influenced the art and the characteristics of the artists’ style were in many ways similar; however, with advancing technology, they had differing struggles to overcome. The Harlem Renaissance was sparked by the Great Migration from 1919 – 1926 in which African Americans began moving to northern cities to find employment and a better way of life. The musicians of this era were very influential in renewing the culture and history of the United States. Jazz, race, and class divided Harlem and New York cities. Some historians have said the best way to understand the Harlem Renaissance is by understanding the music (http://historyoftheharlemrenaissance.weebly.com/index.html; www.1920s-fashion-and-music.com/Harlem-Renaissance-1920s.html). With the roots of jazz coming from slave songs, it is truly an African-American invention. This newly formed music utilized the dissonant “blue” note. This modification to the to the standard major scale allowed the musician to play the note flat; usually the third, fifth, or seventh note of the scale. Music critic Sidney Finkelstein stated, “It expresses the hope and struggle for freedom, the vitality which enables a people to wrest joy out of misery and to assert the triumph of human beings over the obstacles that would grind them down.” ("MindEdge," 2014) Jazz was the sound of the 1920’s; with the Roaring Twenties...
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...Influence of the Electric Guitar on The Evolution of Music In the history of civilization, music has had a profound impact on cultural development. Over the course of human history, human creativity has produced a plethora of different instruments and musical styles. But amidst the vast expanse of musical expression, the guitar has emerged as a versatile instrument that has revolutionized music. Although its definite origins are uncertain, the first six-string guitar is said to have originated during the 1700s (Heck). Structurally influenced by the lute, the first guitar was rudimentary compared to what would follow. As is the case with any development, the invention of the modern day electric guitar took time. In the 19th century, steel...
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...Development of Bebop Introduction Bebop was a short-lived genre that would play a significant role in the development of the modern day Jazz. For decades, the presence of Bebop influenced the management and the formation of group structure that would be important in Jazz. Bebop musicians would be famous all over the world. Before bebop came into being, Swing was the pioneering form of Jazz being played. Swing was characterized by dancing that involved a moderate tempo and a steady four-meter that enhanced the need for the crowd to dance. Unlike most jazz music, Swing was also characterized by large bands that were heavily dependent on written music . Moreover, the development of Swing was made possible by the presence of white bands that were preferred by black bands. The white bands often got jobs such as sponsorships to perform in sponsored radio programs and at times long-lasting jobs in New York to play on prestigious events. Meanwhile, black bands were forced to work harder through travel as means to make a living. Moreover, the condition was worsened as big bands begun to disintegrate as members of such bands felt the structure of the bands was strict. By then, the bandleaders controlled the groups despite the presence of well talented members within the group that had no freedom. However, such talented soloists would perform alone at times to impress the audience. Once they had impressed the audience, they would then break way from these groups and form their...
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...Music in western civilization in 20th century Music is defined as sounds that are arranged in a particular pattern in which when played are exciting to hear or listen to. Music is commonly used as a form or relaxation and entertainment. The chronology of music started way back in the period of the medieval times when the chanting was introduced into most of the catholic churches. Music then had moved through the following stages up to until the modern day music (Burkholder, Grout & Palisca 2010, p. 276). It originated in the medieval era then moved to the renaissance, baroque, classical music which ushered in the romantic music which in turn paved way to the modern music and hence the contemporary music of the 20th century. Medieval music traces back to times when music was only done to kings and queens or generally the royal people. It later found its way to liturgical platforms where the music was introduced to the Roman Catholic churches as this time Christianity was real emerging. During this time many musical artists were priests or members of the clergy. As the music entered the renaissance era the printing media had already been established. There emerged a class of composers from the western nations of for instance France Belgium Netherlands etc. Music in this era had become strong with especially the use of instruments. This included the a cappella. As the music moved on to the baroque era it had started to be used to bring a certain mood. The music composers used...
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...Throughout the 1920’s jazz music was a defining aspect of American culture; it also had a huge effect on society.. People of the time saw either playing or listening to jazz as a way to feel free or even escape from their daily lives. With the social changes going on in the 20’s, like the parties and the way people behaved, jazz fit right in with the changing times. Many jazz enthusiasts will argue that you are born with a love of jazz (Jazz History: The Standards). Like Louis Armstrong once said, "if you have to ask what jazz is, you'll never know" (Music with Ease > Jazz Quotes). In conjunction with the roaring twenties, jazz made it to the top and became widely known across the United States, and even some parts of Britain, making it a worldwide movement. It came very popular with people who wanted to get away from their normal lives and escape into the swing of jazz. Novelist F Scott...
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...27, 1909 – March 15, 1959), nicknamed "Pres" or "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. He also played trumpet, violin, and drums. Coming to prominence while a member of Count Basie's orchestra, Young was one of the most influential players on his instrument. He played with a cool tone and used sophisticated harmonies, using "a free-floating style, wheeling and diving like a gull, banking with low, funky riffs that pleased dancers and listeners alike". Famous for his hip, introverted style, he invented or popularized much of the hipster ethos which came to be associated with the music. Lester Young was born in Woodville, Mississippi, and grew up in a musical family. His father, Willis Handy Young, was a respected teacher, his brother Lee Young was a drummer, and several other relatives played music professionally. His family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, when Lester was an infant and later to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Although at a very young age Young did not initially know his father, he learned that his father was a musician. Later Willis taught his son to play the trumpet, violin, and drums in addition to the saxophone. Lester Young played in his family's band, known as the Young Family Band, in both the vaudeville and carnival circuits. He left the family band in 1927 at the age of 18 because he refused to tour in the Southern United States, where Jim Crow laws were in effect and racial segregation was required in public facilities. On December 8...
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...movement are sometimes said to have a dance-like quality, including martial arts, gymnastics, figure skating, synchronized swimming and many other forms of athletics. 2. What are the types/kinds of dances? Types of Dance - Categories Here are some of the most popular dance categories and types: Ballroom Dances These dances started appearing first in Italy, during the early years of Renaissance. Popularity of this kind of entertainment quickly swept over the Europe, United States and the World. Although many other simpler and more easily preformed types of dances caused the ballroom dances to lose some of their influence, modern worldwide dancing audience started resurrecting these immortal dances in ever increasing pace. • Waltz - This graceful and slow two person dance was first introduced in mid-19th century and was greatly popularized by the music of the famous composer Johann Strauss. Today this dance represents gold standard and the most famous dance of the ballrooms around the world. • Viennese Waltz - Original form of waltz, first performed at the Italian courts is today remembered as Viennese Waltz....
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... This includes broad use of different music, exposure of the full assortment of orchestral colors, credits moods during the opening title and formations of principal themes. Also, there were musical support for dramatic moods, settings, characters and action, and unity through leitmotifs and thematic transformation. Rozsa exploited a strong brass section, organ, and complete substantial orchestral medley in order to demonstrate the emotions and different plot events, by expansively using music. In addition, he employed distinct musical ideas that can be related with Roman, Hebrew, and early Christian music by maintaining stylistic uniformity and unity. Leitmotifs were also very important to the movie. Various leitmotifs and themes in the movie were displayed to give characters insight. During the scenes of “The Fall of the House of Hur,” the hate theme appears when Ben-Hur chose to protect his Jewish friends by not backstabbing them by going along with Messala’s ambitions. The Hate theme foreshadowed a twist of fate when Ben-Hur opposed Messala. It was inserted in the 2nd and 3rd measures in the Roman march for Gratus, and was reiterated repeatedly. This became the prominent theme after the accident. Another important theme was Christ’s theme. Christ’s theme involved Jesus, and during Ben Hur’s desert march, music is played to reflect his feeling of distressed and torture. But, when Christ is introduced who offered him water, the music turns somewhat pure and halo. 2. During...
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...Jazz and The White Critic The article “Jazz and White Critic” by Amiri Baraka brings light to an element of jazz criticism that he is frustrated by. Baraka finds controversy in the ideas white critics write about regarding jazz music. Baraka states, “Most jazz critics have been white Americans, but most important jazz musicians have not been.” In the 1960’s, when Baraka made this statement, jazz was becoming more popularized and socially accepted. African American jazz musicians took a long, strenuous journey over decades to push their music into the spotlight to become one of the most popular music styles in society internationally. The special element of jazz is its raw emotion. Baraka distinguishes between “White Jazz”, music that is learned and skill that is obtained technically, and “Negro Jazz” , music based on emotion passed down from generation to generation. The hardships experienced by African Americans and passed down through ancestry create the deep emotions that make up jazz. Baraka expresses that a white critic can fall into the trap of simplifying the genre to musical technicalities because they can never truly feel the music and understand its roots. Baraka uses an example of a solo to justify his point. He goes into detail about how a meaningful solo means almost nothing on paper. The screams, shouts, and other sound effects, along with the rapid change in tone mean so much more than any music sheet could ever describe. “…Screams and rants are only musical...
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...Trumpeters Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis became two of the most inspiring American jazz musicians of all time by accessing very differently to their art. In the analysis an album from each artist, I choose “What A Wonderful World” of Louis Armstrong and “Kind of Blue” of Miles Davis. Louis Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971) was the most influential performer to affect a lot of Jazz musicians. He influenced the whole jazz population with his amazing voice and energetic trumpet. And he played a great role in the modernization of jazz. His career spanned almost 50 years, from the 1920s to the 1960s, and different jazz eras. The work of Louis Armstrong summed up the achievements of New Orleans jazz style and indicated the way to the later...
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...2013, twenty-five billion songs had been sold on iTunes (“iTunes Store”).The music industry has become a large part of modern day culture. Music is loved by many people and will be for years to come. During the 1920’s thru the 1940’s, Jazz, and the Blues were a big part of the American culture. The 1950’s changed all of that (Vaillancourt 6). Nineteen Fifties music has been affected by the problems of Segregation, Civil Rights, and The Cold War during the decade. The Cold War, the baby boom and the struggle for equality were all a major parts of the 1950’s. During that time the country's economy was limited. When the Cold War hit the American economy grew and consumers were spending great amounts of money. Soldiers returning from...
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...form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States around the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads. The blues form, ubiquitous in jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll is characterized by specific chord progressions, of which the twelve-bar blues chord progression is the most common. The blue notes that, for expressive purposes are sung or played flattened or gradually bent (minor 3rd to major 3rd) in relation to the pitch of the major scale, are also an important part of the sound. The origin of the term of was most likely derived from mysticism involving blue indigo, which was used by many West African cultures in death and mourning ceremonies where all the mourner's garments would have been dyed blue to indicate suffering. Blues has evolved from the unaccompanied vocal music and oral traditions of slaves imported from West Africa and rural blacks into a wide variety of styles and subgenres, with regional variations across the United States. The musical forms and styles that are now considered the "blues" as well as modern "country music" arose in the same regions during the 19th century in the southern United States. Recorded blues and country can be found from as far back as the 1920s, when the popular record industry developed and created marketing categories called "race music" and "hillbilly music" to sell music...
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...The novel “THE GREAT GATSBY” was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in the year 1925. This text was adapted as a film in 2013, co-written and directed by Baz Luhrmann. The film’s production initiated in 2011 and took place in Australia and was released on May 10th 2013. The main characters are Jay Gatsby played by Leonardo DiCaprio, Daisy Buchanan played by Carey Mulligan, Nick Carraway played by Tobey Maguire, Tom Buchanan played by Joel Edgerton and Jordan Baker played by Elizabeth Debicki. Other important counterparts include Craig Armstrong, music personnel, Casting by Nikki Barrett and Ronna Kress, Set decoration by Beverley Dunn and Eva Starlite and Costume Design by Catherine martin. In this production there were some key elements utilized...
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