Things You'll Need:
- Access to a library
- Access to the internet
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Step 1
First, ask yourself where you are starting from. Do you know any names of jazz musicians, like, "Miles Davis" maybe? Do you know how jazz has influenced your favorite movie soundtracks, like, "When Harry Met Sally"? How much you already know will determine where you get started.
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Step 2
If you're starting from scratch, no problem! I always recommend one jazz trio to everyone, because chances are you already know and love them...The Vince Guaraldi Trio. This trio is responsible for almost all the music featured in the Charlie Brown cartoon holiday specials. So if you like that music, you're starting off on the right foot!
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Step 3
Start sampling music asap. Jazz is a genre with a wide range of varieties, and chances are you won't like every type. Don't judge the whole of jazz based on one song you didn't like. A great way to do this is to make a free account at Pandora.com. This is a free radio station...I'll tell you how in the next step.
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Step 4
Go to Pandora.com, and follow the steps they give you. It's easy as pie! Once you've created an account, click on the, "Create a New Station" button. Try entering, "The Vince Guaraldi" trio first. What they will do is play one song by that trio and then play you a song by a new and similar artist. You can choose whether you like that song or artist, and click on, "Like It" or, "Don't Like It". This will be a fool-proof way to start exploring jazz. They will only play what you say you like!
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Step 5
Search for jazz versions of songs you already know using Google or your local library. Sometimes it's tough to enjoy new music when you don't know the melody and can't sing along. I recommend searching for jazz versions of "Beatles" songs by Bobby McFerrin (Yes, there can be jazz without intrumentation!) and Ramsey Lewis. This will help you learn about Jazz because you already know how the song sounds!
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Step 6
If you're having a hard time getting enthusiastic about jazz, try some more classic jazz. Try a movie soundtrack, like the aformentioned, "When Harry Met Sally", or Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday. You may be surprised at just how familiar with jazz you already are when you hear some of these classic songs.
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Step 7
Try newer male vocal-based jazz if everything still seems inaccessible to you, like Harry Connick Jr. or Michael Buble.
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Step 8
Search New Orleans jazz if everything so far has seemed to slow for you!
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Step 9
Ask people who love jazz why they love it! This will bring interesting insights and great stories.
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Step 10
See a live performance. As with most all music, you can't beat the real thing! This can also make a really romantic date evening!
Comments
clark711 said
on 12/9/2008 All I can say is awesome!
S-Milsin said
on 10/6/2008 i love jazz and you have some really great tips for people to get introduced to it, or recognize if they already have.
Emike said
on 10/3/2008 Great article Audrey! I love listening to John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Sonny Rollins, and etc. Nice tip on The Vince Guaraldi Trio-- listening to Charlie Brown holiday songs including "Linus and Lucy" brings me back to my childhood. This is one is also in my favourite. Thanks for sharing.
sixstring2slim said
on 9/30/2008 Hey Audrey! I live 3 hours away from Chicago, blues and Jazz are so cool there too! Coltrane, Buddy Guy and the list goes on... We have a club called the Jazz Kitchen here in Indy. It's a great place to go for a classy date. Miles Davis was a Cat from another planet and I love it! Take care ~Bailey
LilBlackDress said
on 9/25/2008 Awesome Audrey!