Music History – Jazz

Unit 1 – Jazz Origins: African and European Roots

Unit 2 – Ragtime & Early Jazz: Joplin to Morton

Unit 3 – Jazz Age: Armstrong, Oliver & Bechet

Unit 4 – Swing Era: Big Bands & Jazz Legends

Unit 5 – Swing Era Vocalists: Fitzgerald, Holiday, Vaughan

Unit 6 – Bebop Revolution: Parker, Gillespie, Monk

Unit 7 – Cool Jazz: Davis, Mulligan, and Young

Unit 8 – Hard Bop: Key Artists and Innovators

Unit 9 – Modal Jazz: Coltrane, Mingus, Coleman

Unit 10 – Latin Jazz: Afro-Cuban & Brazilian Influences

Unit 11 – Jazz in the 70s-80s: Hancock, Corea, Metheny

Unit 12 – Contemporary Jazz: Modern Masters

Unit 13 – Jazz's Impact on Rock, Hip-Hop, and R&B

Unit 14 – Jazz: Civil Rights and Global Movements

## What do you learn in History of Jazz

History of Jazz covers the evolution of jazz from its roots to modern styles. You'll explore key figures like Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis, and learn about different jazz genres such as bebop, swing, and fusion. The course dives into the cultural impact of jazz, its musical elements, and how it influenced other music forms. You'll also get to listen to a ton of great tunes!

## Is History of Jazz hard?

History of Jazz isn't typically considered a tough course. It's more about appreciating music and understanding cultural context than complex theories. The hardest part might be remembering all the artists and their styles. Some find the listening assignments challenging if they're not used to jazz. But overall, if you enjoy music and can keep track of historical timelines, you should be fine.

## Tips for taking History of Jazz in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Make playlists for each jazz era to help remember the styles
3. Watch "Jazz" by Ken Burns for a comprehensive overview
4. Attend live jazz performances to get a feel for the music
5. Create a timeline of major jazz artists and innovations
6. Practice identifying different instruments and styles in recordings
7. Join a jazz appreciation club or group on campus
8. Read biographies of major jazz figures like Miles Davis or Duke Ellington

## Common pre-requisites for History of Jazz

1. Introduction to Music Theory: This course covers the basics of reading music, understanding rhythm, and recognizing musical structures. It's a great foundation for analyzing jazz compositions.

2. American History: A general American history course provides context for the cultural and social factors that influenced jazz's development. It helps students understand the historical backdrop of different jazz eras.

## Classes similar to History of Jazz

1. History of Rock and Roll: Explores the evolution of rock music from its roots in blues and country to modern styles. You'll learn about influential artists and how social movements shaped the genre.

2. World Music: Introduces you to musical traditions from various cultures around the globe. It's a great way to broaden your musical horizons and understand jazz's global influences.

3. African American Music: Delves into the rich musical traditions of African Americans, including spirituals, blues, and hip-hop. This course provides deeper context for jazz's origins and development.

4. Music in American Culture: Examines how music has shaped and been shaped by American society. You'll explore various genres and their cultural significance beyond just jazz.

## Majors related to History of Jazz

1. Music Performance: Focuses on developing skills as a musician, including technique, interpretation, and stage presence. Students often specialize in a particular instrument or voice.

2. Musicology: Involves the scholarly analysis of music, including its history, cultural context, and theoretical aspects. Students learn research methods and critical thinking skills applied to music.

3. Music Education: Prepares students to teach music in schools or private settings. Covers teaching methods, music theory, and practical skills in various instruments.

4. Ethnomusicology: Studies music in its cultural context, focusing on non-Western and folk traditions. Students learn about music's role in different societies and how it relates to other aspects of culture.

## What can you do with a degree in History of Jazz?

1. Music Journalist: Write about jazz and other music genres for magazines, websites, or newspapers. You'll attend concerts, interview artists, and analyze new releases.

2. Music Librarian: Manage and organize music collections in libraries, universities, or radio stations. You'll help preserve jazz recordings and make them accessible to researchers and the public.

3. Jazz Program Director: Curate jazz performances for music venues, festivals, or radio stations. You'll select artists, organize events, and promote jazz music to audiences.

4. Music Therapist: Use music to help people with physical, emotional, or mental health issues. Your knowledge of jazz could be particularly useful in working with older adults or in certain therapeutic approaches.

## History of Jazz FAQs

1. Do I need to play an instrument to take this course? No, playing an instrument isn't required, but having some musical background can be helpful in understanding concepts.

2. Will we only focus on American jazz? While American jazz is the primary focus, the course typically touches on jazz's global influences and its impact on international music scenes.

3. Are there any field trips or live performances involved? Many History of Jazz courses include opportunities to attend live performances or visit jazz clubs, but this varies by institution.

4. How much listening is required outside of class? Expect to spend several hours a week listening to assigned recordings to familiarize yourself with different styles and artists.

Performing Arts

Art History

1.2 African musical traditions and their influence

1.1 Origins and characteristics of jazz

1.3 European musical elements in jazz

1.4 Early forms of African American music

2.1 Ragtime: style, structure, and key figures

2.2 Transition from ragtime to early jazz

2.3 New Orleans and the birth of jazz

2.4 Pioneering jazz musicians and their contributions

3.1 The Jazz Age: cultural context and musical developments

3.2 Louis Armstrong and the rise of the jazz soloist

3.3 Collective improvisation and early jazz ensembles

3.4 The migration of jazz from New Orleans to Chicago

4.2 Big band structure and arrangements

4.1 The emergence and characteristics of swing

4.4 The social impact of swing music

4.3 Key bandleaders and their distinctive styles

5.1 The role of vocalists in jazz

5.2 Scat singing and vocal improvisation

5.3 Influential female jazz vocalists

5.4 The intersection of jazz and popular music

6.2 Key bebop musicians and their contributions

6.4 Bebop's influence on subsequent jazz styles

6.3 The shift from dance music to art music

6.1 Bebop: musical characteristics and innovations

7.1 Cool jazz: style, approach, and key figures

7.2 The Birth of the Cool and Miles Davis

7.3 West Coast jazz and its practitioners

7.4 Cool jazz's relationship to bebop

8.1 Hard bop: musical features and cultural context

8.2 Blue note records and the hard bop movement

8.3 Influential hard bop musicians and groups

8.4 The incorporation of gospel and blues elements

9.1 Modal jazz: concept and key recordings

9.2 The avant-garde movement in jazz

9.3 Free jazz and its practitioners

9.4 Extended techniques and experimental approaches

10.1 Afro-Cuban jazz: rhythms, styles, and key figures

10.2 Brazilian jazz and bossa nova

10.3 Latin jazz fusion and crossover artists

10.4 The global spread of Latin jazz

11.1 Jazz-rock fusion and its pioneers

11.4 Straight-ahead jazz in the fusion era

11.2 Electronic instruments in jazz

11.3 The ECM sound and European influences

12.3 Prominent contemporary jazz musicians

12.4 The role of jazz education and institutions

12.2 Jazz in the 21st century: styles and innovations

12.1 Neo-traditionalism and the Young Lions movement

13.1 Jazz elements in rock music

13.2 The relationship between jazz and hip-hop

13.3 Jazz influences in R&B and soul

13.4 Cross-genre collaborations and fusions

14.1 Jazz as a voice for civil rights

14.2 The role of jazz in counterculture movements

14.3 Jazz diplomacy and cultural exchange

14.4 The impact of globalization on jazz

Browse all Music History – Jazz Key Terms

About Us

Resources

Stay Connected

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

About Us

Resources

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

Back

Next