After studying this chapter you will be able to understand: Important to jazz are the emphasis on rhythm taken from African music, harmonies taken from European music, melodies added by the improvisation from the American culture, all these elements fuse to make jazz an American music rather than a music solely of the African Americans (who remain its pioneers and innovators). | Jazz Tenth Edition Chapter 2 PowerPoint by Sharon Ann Toman, 2004 African and European Influences The basic premise of this chapter is that jazz did not develop from any one musical culture Emphasis is placed on the fact that the rhythmic feeling of jazz came from Africa but that other aspects of jazz derive from European music Chapter 2 - Jazz Heritages African and European Influences Separate traditions (one white and the other black) Used both musical and cultural traditions to establish this new musical genre Chapter 2 - Jazz Heritages African and European Influences One tradition is predominantly literate and reflects that interest in its performance practice Another tradition works through an expressive language typical of the oral tradition Chapter 2 - Jazz Heritages African and European Influences The balance of this compositional concern and spontaneous expression was set in motion that ultimately shaped jazz Jazz began with a blending of African and European . | Jazz Tenth Edition Chapter 2 PowerPoint by Sharon Ann Toman, 2004 African and European Influences The basic premise of this chapter is that jazz did not develop from any one musical culture Emphasis is placed on the fact that the rhythmic feeling of jazz came from Africa but that other aspects of jazz derive from European music Chapter 2 - Jazz Heritages African and European Influences Separate traditions (one white and the other black) Used both musical and cultural traditions to establish this new musical genre Chapter 2 - Jazz Heritages African and European Influences One tradition is predominantly literate and reflects that interest in its performance practice Another tradition works through an expressive language typical of the oral tradition Chapter 2 - Jazz Heritages African and European Influences The balance of this compositional concern and spontaneous expression was set in motion that ultimately shaped jazz Jazz began with a blending of African and European musical cultures Chapter 2 - Jazz Heritages Interpretation and Content All musical styles and traditions have an interpretive system of presentation Some presentations cannot always be fully described in terms of the musical elements that make up a performance Jazz as a hybrid of musical traditions, reflects a blend of music interpretations as well as a blend of musical elements Chapter 2 - Jazz Heritages Interpretation and Content Writing music down is useful as a compositional device but is not as important in a spontaneous improvisation Outside of the musical elements themselves, there is also the expressive context in which the elements are presented Chapter 2 - Jazz Heritages African Influences Music was a vital and demonstrative form of express in the life of Africans Music performed a vital role in maintaining the unity of the social group Chapter 2 - Jazz Heritages African Influences Music was for a whole community, and everyone participated from the youngest to the
