| Jazz music is a very popular genre of music and is | | | | joining a group of musicians in your own jazz combo. |
| actually a very important kind of American classical | | | | Because of its improvisational character, Jazz is |
| music. Some believe that jazz originated in the early | | | | usually not the kind of music that can be perfected |
| twentieth century in South America. But there is no | | | | by individual practice. |
| question that the early development of jazz took | | | | For a musician learning improvisation, it is wiser to |
| place in the United States and was greatly influenced | | | | begin with simple songs. Basic techniques can be |
| by blues music. Blues was especially popular among | | | | learned through listening to other musicians, |
| African Americans in the first half of the 20th | | | | experimenting, or taking some lessons. Those |
| century in the rural south and in cities such as New | | | | techniques, once mastered, can be applied in a more |
| Orleans, St. Louis and Chicago. | | | | advanced way to more complicated songs. |
| The music that was called jazz was popular in many | | | | Remember, too, that a jazz musician is more about |
| countries, including the United States. At the same | | | | self-expression than technique. |
| time it quickly spread to many countries in Europe, | | | | Start experimenting by playing the music the way is |
| and then to many parts of Asia, South America and | | | | written, but occasionally modifying certain phrasings |
| Australia. | | | | and adding a few embellishments of your own. This is |
| What makes jazz unique? Among other things the | | | | a great way to become comfortable with jazz |
| unique features of Jazz include 'blue notes," | | | | improvisation. This process of "intentionally messing |
| improvisation and syncopation. Jazz relies primarily on | | | | up", and learning what sounds good is not just for |
| the spontaneous expression of the musicians - usually | | | | piano or guitar, but can be applied to any of the |
| playing in small groups - and does not necessarily use | | | | hundreds of instruments used in jazz. |
| a written score. The 1930s saw a rapid rise in the | | | | Immerse yourself in jazz music by listening to both |
| popularity of jazz. Although black musicians dominated | | | | contemporary and traditional jazz masters. There are |
| the jazz scene, the 1930s saw an increase in the | | | | also schools of musical instruction that specialize in |
| number of white jazz singers and players. But during | | | | teaching jazz, jazz improvisation, jazz soloing, and |
| this time jazz still remained true to its roots and to | | | | many other facets of the discipline. If you are serious |
| the African-American blues musicians who created it. | | | | about playing jazz music, one of these jazz schools |
| Jazz is a music of the world. It combines classical, | | | | might be the most direct way to get your career as |
| popular and traditional American music with important | | | | a jazz musician going in the right direction. |
| strains of European and African musical traditions. | | | | One of the richest, most expressive and satisfying |
| Jazz is very technically sophisticated while still | | | | genres of music for the musician looking for creative |
| remaining spontaneous and improvisational. To really | | | | expression is, without a doubt, jazz. It creates a |
| develop a good understanding and appreciation of | | | | magic which cannot be expressed in words. When |
| jazz it is important to experience all aspects of the | | | | people are really interested in actually listening to the |
| music, listen to the masters and join other musicians | | | | music, jazz can be the most appropriate and |
| in playing. Jazz is truly a group experience. | | | | entertaining type of music you can choose for almost |
| Jazz is a musical style that contains a lot of | | | | any occasion. Being equally challenging and rewarding |
| self-expression. Open your mind to many different | | | | for the musician - what could be better than that! |
| jazz musicians by listening to them play and then | | | | |