History of Jazz

Paper Summary:

Over the past century, various influences have worked to shape jazz into a complex structure of styles, rhythms and techniques which are difficult to lump under the same banner. This paper explains that most forms of jazz have a few peculiar features in common which differentiate them from other types of music. It explains that in order to conduct a survey of the history of jazz, the paper also highlights some of the musical form's commonalities.

From the Paper:

"Jazz also makes common use of scales that have been derived from West African traditions. These scales are not generally found in European-based musical styles, although the combination of European and West African scales has become more popular. Similarly, jazz instrumentation has grown out of the military orchestra and so emphasizes brass and woodwind instruments above strings. Unlike the European tradition of voice and instrument usage, which aims for a "pure" sound for each instrument, jazz has developed around ordinary and untrained voices and has employed its instruments as if they were voices like these. Thus, jazz lends itself to exploration and experimentation in sound, derivative of the fact that most pioneer jazz musicians were completely self-taught."

More papers on History of Jazz:

• Essay # 32261 : "The History of Jazz"
• Research Paper # 98501 : "The Changing Sounds of Jazz"
• Essay # 48761 : "The Roots of Jazz"

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