History of Jazz

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History of Jazz Music Jazz music, one of the most popular genres there is today in American culture. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines jazz as a type of music with lively rhythms and melodies that is often made up by musicians as they play. American music developed especially from ragtime and blues and characterized by propulsive syncopated rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, varying degrees of improvisation, and often deliberate distortions of pitch and timbre. Although the jazz has been defined in the dictionary there is no common definition of this music has been reached according to musicians. Jazz music consists of several layers and the process is very difficult with composing and performing joined together. The hard and soft layer and complex in structure all come together to make one beautiful sound. No matter the era and time the core components of jazz have remained constant and little touched. The core of jazz music is made up of melody, harmony and rhythm. This type of music has a distinct rhythmic and melodic character, one that is constantly involves improvisation and when creating it a melody or its underlying chords may be altered, rhythmic notes may be lengthened or shortened, syncopated or not and there can different patterns involved. Jazz music is quite complex and in order to get a full understanding of its history one must go back to roots, where it all started. Although know for being originated in the United States in the city of New Orleans, jazz music roots actually come from the West African slaves. Its musical styles have developed as a result of the collision of African traditions and European culture. The complex African rhythms are one major factor that distinguished itself from European music. African music characteristics consisted of pitch blending, rigid tempo, small changes in dynamics, and prominent percussion

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