Every music is made up of rhythm, melody, harmony and pitch but still every genre is distinct. It is the other elements which gives a unique feel to each music type. Originated in New Orleans, Jazz is a music which got influenced by different music styles and also influenced many music styles. Buddy Bolden was the originator and the first Jazz player who magically performed and made the listeners fall in love with the soulful music. So what makes Jazz so special? The music get its distinct feel because of its essential elements.
Let’s see the the technical things which are combined together to form the harmonious music of Jazz:
Improvisation:
Probably there would be no Jazz without improvisation. It’s the key ingredient of Jazz which adds life to it. When a performer forgets the notes written on pages and plays his own tune from his heart that is what called as improvisation in Jazz. The way they make instant improvisation on stage, it makes the audience feel directly connected. Creating fresh melodies on the spot, is a real art. Improvisation do exist in other forms of music too but in Jazz, it’s almost a part of music making process. Improvisation is generally done on the contour of the original tune or on harmonies of chords. Improvisation in Jazz is also known as conversation which creates a connection between musician and audience.
Blue Notes:
To build that connection, the music has to be really expressive, it is attainable by blue note in jazz which is also known as the worried note. This note is lightly played different from the standard note. Jazz contain scales and keys which create harmony. Blue notes has been revolutionised, it is quite different then and now. Blue notes are also said to be inspired by blues genre of music.
Syncopation:
Syncopation is actually an interruption in the standard flow of rhythm. In Jazz the musicians accentuate the notes to create the real move in Jazz. Bolden’s band often used to emphasis on the off-beats, the first standard syncopated bass, drum pattern were developed by this band. Syncopation is a real play with the rhythms and add variety into the structure.
Freedom:
When you feel the meaning of Freedom, it’s the real Jazz. The soloist follows certain set of complicated rules in jazz but still if the listener feels the soloist is doing whatever they want, it is the freedom. The musician purely expresses his feelings with his skill and talent, this is sort of freedom of expression. There is a freedom within this language of music which brews great Jazz music.
Feeling:
If there is no feeling, there is no Jazz. Jazz is all about emotions, in fact it started with an emotional note that used to describe the feelings of American slaves. If the musician plays with feeling then only the listener could hear it with feeling. Jazz is all about about expressing emotions and understanding emotions. The emotional connection between the musician and his audience is a biggest achievement in Jazz.
All these ingredients together certainly makes up evergreen Jazz.