《unit14 Early American Jazz》.ppt

Early American JazzA Uniquely American Music Unit 14 Introduction of Jazz What kind of music jazz is? Jazz is the irrepressible expression of freedom and individual rights through musical improvisation. It is a way people express themselves and their emotions by means of music It is a music built on individualism compromise, independence and cooperation. Reasons for jazz’s popularity throughout US Though its acceptance is slow and grudging, the appeal initially was to the young and rebellious. The music was modified and softened for more sensitive ears. The emphasis on free invention and development of individual ways of playing instruments appealed to themes in American culture. The Birth Place of Jazz The only music genre native to the US, Jazz (originally spelled Jass) was born in New Orleans, near the end of the 19th century. Congo Square On Sundays, New Orleans slaves met at Congo Square for trading, worship, dancing, singing, and music. These traditional West African rhythms eventually evolved into Ragtime, the precursor of Jazz. Early New Orleans Jazz Early jazz music was a new blend of folk music, work chants (劳动号子), spirituals (黑人圣歌), marches (进行曲) and even European classical music. A defining mark of this early New Orleans jazz an ensemble of musicians improvising their notes in changing chords around a specific melodic line. (一组爵士乐师使用“集体即兴法”，围绕某一集体旋律使用不同和弦即兴演奏出不同的音调) The Jazz Ensemble The “front line” of the ensemble included a trumpet, a clarinet, and a trombone. The percussion section was behind the front line, and set the rhyme. Percussion instruments Drum Banjo/guitar Cymbal/bell/hollow wooden block/chimes… Stylistic origins March Blues Ragtime Blues During 17 and18 century, many Africans were sold to America and forced to work under miserable condition. When they were working, they sang a kind of sad music to express personal feelings such as homesick. Blue stands for sadness in America, so they names i