How to Listen to Jazz Critically

Though with its improvisations jazz may sound random, the form has rhythmic, harmonic and melodic patterns - music to devotees' ears.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Biographies
• Jazz History Books
• Jazz CDs
• Jazz Music Videos

1. Listen for a melody, usually defined by a woodwind solo, and then variations on that melody followed by harmonic variation by two or more instruments.
2. Determine which instrument is dominant and follow the thread of that instrument. The other instruments will harmonize on the same theme.
3. Try to discern a style to the artist: quick changes, long notes, soaring crescendos. Styles are loosely defined by era with Louis Armstrong as an example of pre-swing style, Count Basie of swing style, Charlie Parker of bop and John Coltrane of modern jazz.
4. Listen for mood, tempo and rhythm.

Tips & Warnings

• The New Orleans period spans the years 1900-1926; the pre-swing period, 1926-1934; the swing period, 1934-1945; and the modern period, to the 1970s.
• New Orleans style is performed on three or four wind instruments and a combination of other instruments for rhythmic backbone. Characteristic New Orleans forms are blues, stomps, rags and marches.
• Pre-swing features larger ensembles or big bands playing longer melodies and more sophisticated harmonies.
• Swing features a higher degree of melodic organization, while modern jazz emphasizes harmony over specific melody.