Free Essay

Jazz and Rap

In:

Submitted By larrenyu
Words 606
Pages 3
Jazz and Rap What is known today as “pop” or popular music evolved in American society at the end of 19th centry. Pop music, which accounts for the majority of the music, is a mix of many different styles of music, such as jazz and rap. Although jazz and rap originate from two different groups of people, the African-American and South African, they are both musical art forms and related to African people. However, there are some obvious differences, which are reflected in instruments, musical styles and effects on the audience. First of all, different instruments have different effects on jazz and rap. Considering many genres of jazz, many instruments are used, such as piano, violin and guitar. “Meanwhile, the central instruments remained central, with the exception of the clarinet, and new approaches developed for the trombone, saxophone, piano, guitar, string bass, and drums”(Kernfeld 167). On the other hand, rap has no specific instruments to be used. Instead, making vocal imitations of instruments or body beat, which have the same effects as a drum, is the core of rap music. In addition, musical styles differ between jazz and rap. Heavy rhythms characterize the free-style poetry of rap. “Rhythm is such a key element to making a song sound great, the rhythm is actually where the lyrics begin for many artists-the rhythm is the first thing they come up with, before they even have words for the song”(Edwards p113-116) Moreover, the free-style rap is full of battle. A complex vocabulary and an “unique regional slang”(Kool Moe Dee 2003, p.224), which are more aggressive and vulgar, play an effective role on the performance of rappers. However, jazz music is more complicated because of its wide ranges of active styles, such as cool jazz, soul jazz, modal jazz, free jazz, Latin jazz, jazz rock and jazz junk. Poetic lyrics and techniques of expression are the main characteristics of traditional jazz music, which is quieter than fierce rap music. Take modern jazz quartet as an example, “it usually has a “ lighter” sound that avoids the aggressive tempos and harmonic abstraction of bebop”(Acosta.p102 ). Thirdly, the effects of jazz and rap on the audience are dissimiliar. Young people are the main targets of rap music. Undoubtedly, rap music incites to behave aggressively and enthusiastically, makes them dance while listening to it and stimulates them to become more creative. In contrast, jazz music is smooth and quiet. That is why most coffee bars prefer playing jazz music for their customers. Customers in many bars would like to enjoy themselves in a calm way while the bands are playing old jazz music. Consequently, jazz music has had a dramatic development over one centry. To sum up, there is no doubt that jazz and rap can be regarded as “leaders” in the popular music field. It is the difference between them that continually gives the public more fresh ways of hearing. In the meantime, contemporary composers, musicians and pop singers are combining the traditional music elements with the current advancements to further develop these beautiful genres and to make them full of more creative characteristics.

Works Cited Kernfeld, Barry. “Chapter2, Rhythm.” Want to Listen For in Jazz. Yale University,1995.Print.17 October 2013 Edwards, Paul. “Chapter1, Advanced Rhythm Techniques.” How to Rap2. Chicago: Chicago Review Press. 2013. 113-116 Kool Moe, Dee. There's A God On The Mic: The True 50 Greatest MCs. Thunder's Mouth Press. n,d. 224.17 October 2013 Acosta, Leonardo. Cubano Be Cubano Bop. One Hundred Years of Jazz in Cuba. Washington D.C: 2003. 102. 17 October 2013

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

African American Music

...the early American music such as Jazz and blues are based on original African American music. African American music is a kind of music that is based on slavery and the suffering the African American took during the slavery time. They put their thoughts and their hope in those slavery songs. Two hundred years later, it becomes hip-hop music. Hip-hop music is now hip-hop music has become a major feature of the United States. You can find rap music around the whole world. But actually, rap music is based on the early slavery songs. As Sonian suggested:" African American music cannot be separated from the transatlantic slave trade and the forced transportation of millions of African people across the Atlantic who were then enslaved. Early records of African American music indicate that songs changed frequently, not just from singer to singer, but also from day to day when sung by the musician." (Smith Sonian.org)...

Words: 682 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Langston Hughes

...Persuasive Research Paper Langston Hughes was a forerunner of rap music. He writes with a finesse that is a lot similar to a modern day rapper. Growing up during the Harlem Renaissance really set the stage for Langston Hughes writing. He also lived in a time where he African Americans were proud of their roots. Being around all the arts made him more inclined to write the way he did, with a rhythm. From Langston Hughes attitudes towards women, to writing about the streets he grew up on and his struggles, it is very evident that Langston Hughes was a forerunner of rap. Langston Hughes was lucky his hit his peak during the Harlem Renaissance because that gave him the opportunity to perform and publish his work in Black magazines. Langston Hughes mirrors rappers because he wrote his poetry simplistically, so people with no education could read and understand it. Langston Hughes wasn’t just a writer he was also a performer, he would regularly perform in nightclubs to gain exposure. I’m sure that if Langston Hughes were alive today he would be performing spoken word poetry in New York night clubs, or writing lyrics for today’s rappers. Langston Hughes was so drawn to the nightlife that he dropped out of school to travel and perform his poetry, just like a lot of modern rappers chasing their dreams. In the 1923 poem, “Jazzonia”, Langston Hughes sets the poem, “In a Harlem nightclub” (1140) , and is describing the jazz players inside it. Three years later, in “Lenox avenue: midnight”...

Words: 665 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

The Role Of Flappers In The 1920's

...Flappers Flappers are closely related to today’s youth. Society is critical, and disrespectful, and the youth has always faced these problems. Things like, fashion music, and entertainment drive criticism. Fashion, music, and entertainment evolve through the youth, and provides change. Overtime the music, fashion, and entertainment become part of popular culture, and are accepted. Change is worrisome, and always brings criticism. Fashion changes over time. The fashion of the 1920s is different than the fashion of the 2000s. Fashion in the 1920s involved long dresses, suits, and formal clothing. Now, the fashion is jeans, and name brand apparel. Though fashion has changed, the reaction hasn’t. Parents will always criticize...

Words: 387 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Effect of Jazz on Modern Music

...much unlike the others. The introduction of Jazz music in the early 20th Century has sculpted what we know music as today. As a style that has evolved over time, people aren’t able to pinpoint a specific moment where Jazz was first played. Although, most accept it was initially developed in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jazz music at its core is a unique combination of both European and African musical elements. It takes its “rhythm and feel” component from African music. Additionally, the component of harmony -- that is, the chords that accompany the melody of the tune (usually played on the piano) -- and various instruments, such as the saxophone, trumpet, and piano, are borrowed from European music. While Jazz initially only saw popularity in a small minority of communities throughout the American South, it soon grew far beyond those reaches, developing many alternate styles of its own as it was introduced to new corners of society. Some examples include: Swing, Ragtime, Bossa Nova, Blues and Bebop. Classic jazz and its alternates are the facilitators of the evolution of popular music. While rock is considered the first iteration of today’s popular music, as a genre it owes many of its elements to Jazz music. For instance, Jazz musicians were the first to develop/use a complete drum set. Before jazz, bands required one person each to play the snare and bass drum, the cymbals, and the tom-toms. Rock didn’t just take the drum set from Jazz music. It also borrowed many of the same...

Words: 789 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Vulsyteke

...personnes âgées ou encore le hip-hop, le rap...qui sont généralement écoutées par les jeunes. Suites aux recherches sur internet, les jeunes affirment que la musique est un médicament pour calmer les nerfs et qu’elle rend heureuse et donne le gout à vivre. En effets la pluparts des jeunes adores écouter de la musique car elle permet une certaine concentration ou encore une certaine motivation.. .la musique permet d’exprimer, de rêver, d’imaginer et surtout d’oublier les problèmes... b) les inconvénients : Mais malheureusement a coté des avantages, il existe aussi des inconvénients...Beaucoup de jeunes ont tendances à écouter de la musique à un volume très fort ! Exemples en boite, les baladeurs...tout ceci engendre un gros problèmes aux oreilles .mais ce n’est pas tout, souvent quand nous sommes « tristes » nous avons tendances à écouter de la musique qui rend encore plus malheureux...ce qui nous donne pas la joie de vivre... 2) les différentes de musiques Il existe plusieurs sortes de musiques comme : a)la musique classique : La musique classique a été produite dans le monde occidental entre 1750 et 1820.ces musiques ont été attirés par le monde entier et son développement se poursuit à l'époque contemporaine au travers des créations de nombreux compositeurs. b) la musique jazz: la musique jazz est née aux Etats-Unis au début du 20eme siècle.il est considéré comme le premier forme artistique . La musique jazz est un ensemble à la fois sonore et corporel...

Words: 630 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Music in Western Civilization in 20th Century

...Music in western civilization in 20th century Music is defined as sounds that are arranged in a particular pattern in which when played are exciting to hear or listen to. Music is commonly used as a form or relaxation and entertainment. The chronology of music started way back in the period of the medieval times when the chanting was introduced into most of the catholic churches. Music then had moved through the following stages up to until the modern day music (Burkholder, Grout & Palisca 2010, p. 276). It originated in the medieval era then moved to the renaissance, baroque, classical music which ushered in the romantic music which in turn paved way to the modern music and hence the contemporary music of the 20th century. Medieval music traces back to times when music was only done to kings and queens or generally the royal people. It later found its way to liturgical platforms where the music was introduced to the Roman Catholic churches as this time Christianity was real emerging. During this time many musical artists were priests or members of the clergy. As the music entered the renaissance era the printing media had already been established. There emerged a class of composers from the western nations of for instance France Belgium Netherlands etc. Music in this era had become strong with especially the use of instruments. This included the a cappella. As the music moved on to the baroque era it had started to be used to bring a certain mood. The music composers used...

Words: 1477 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Wahaha Ah

...Sugarhill Gang produced hip-hop's first commercially successful hit, "Rapper's Delight," in 1979'. The local popularity of the rhythmic music served by DJs at dance parties and clubs, combined with an increase in "b-boys"--breakdancers--and graffiti artists and the growing importance of MCs, created a distinctive culture known as hip-hop. For the most part, hip-hop culture was defined and embraced by young, urban, working-class African-Americans. Hip-hop music originated from a combination of traditionally African-American forms of music--including jazz, soul, gospel, and reggae. It was created by working-class African-Americans, who, like Herc, took advantage of available tools--vinyl records and turntables--to invent a new form of music that both expressed and shaped the culture of black New York City youth in the 1970s. Rap shares its roots with other forms of traditionally African-American music, such as jazz, blues, and soul. Rap may also be closely linked to reggae music, a genre that also developed from the combination of traditional African drumming9 and the music of the Buropean ruling class by youth of limited economic means within a system of African economic subjugation. In an ironic circle of...

Words: 829 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Music Social Justice

...Their agents were often dishonest with them about the royalties they made and the copyright laws on their music. Regardless, race records helped make rise to a genre that is still popular today rhythm and blues. Rhythm and blues originated from African American artists for African Americans. The style of rhythm and blues implements a constant beat and heavy base. The lyrics captured the feelings, emotions, and struggles African Americans had while trying to attain equality. It allowed people who have never understood what facing racism is like to understand how daunting and draining it is. Hip-Hop and rap are notorious for achieving the same effect, being a predominately African American dominated genre it holds true as a voice for the struggles of that community. Currently a lot of hip-hop and rap music tackles the issue of police brutality, expressing how African Americans are being unfairly targeted and killed by the police. Music allows a bond between people that enables them to comprehend and empathize, " A pamphlet, no matter how good, is never read but once, but a song is learned by the heart and repeated over and over." (Rosenthal and...

Words: 1020 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Jazz Music Essay

...1. Introduction: We often use the word “Jazz” to describe an era, not just in music, but in culture itself, which began in the late 1910s and lasted for the whole of the ‘20s. This era wasn’t yet a modern one, but it was beyond old-times and carried itself as its own entity. The music that came from it was its own as well; the world had left behind typical baroque, romantic, and classical styles, but this was completely singular to any of those. It was a unique, clunky sound both classic and revolutionary. And as the world moved forward into the mid-1900s, developing into the one we observe now, this style was exactly the right, new quality to accompany it. 2. The History of Jazz: But where did it actually come from? As far as anyone can look,...

Words: 1141 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Evolution of Jazz and Its Mo0Dern Influence

...The Evolution of Jazz and its Modern Influence Jazz is a music art form that was created solely in America. It is considered to be one of the most influential forms of music in American history. Not only did it originate in America but it is also one of the few art forms that have two distinctive sounds. The jazz sound is separated into classical jazz and jazz fusion (modern) jazz. Jazz is also one of the only forms of music for which college music majors are required to study several artists’ techniques as a semester course. Jazz music has been used in many forms of music in America. With all the respect that jazz has garnered around the world, unfortunately, the art form has lost popularity over the last 20 years. With the emergence of hip-hop, techno, and other music forms, young musicians of today do not find the music appealing or relevant. All the awards for jazz musicians have been moved off the national television award shows. There is also a movement to remove the jazz categories from the Grammy list completely. This paper will discuss the history of jazz, where it began, how it evolved, and its future. To understand the future of jazz, one must understand what it really is and the instruments that were combined to make the ensemble. Jazz started to form early in the twentieth century in New Orleans. At that time, the sound was called Ragtime. This sound was produced by a band that included the string bass, drums, a guitar or banjo, and a "melodic section" with one...

Words: 2476 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Music Essay

...through the music. Exoticism influenced by some ethnic groups music groups from the late 19th-century. This means when different ethnic cultures start to make a dramatic influence on the primary music at this time which led to a major change in music. Nationalism is the fact that various types of political evolution were achieved in each country that in turn affected musical nationalism refers to the various national schools that consciously tried to separate themselves from the standards set in the Classical period. Trying to remove themselves from the boundaries of which classical music set transcending music itself by breaking the rules that were set in place. Jazz music my personal favorite time in music were rhythm and blues meets everything else that was made prior collides. Birthplace of Jazz formerly known as (Jass) would be New Orleans one important factor that existed only in New Orleans, namely, the black Creole subculture. The Creole musicians, many of whom were Conservatory trained in...

Words: 668 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Rap Music Research Paper

...For the past for decades rap music has put under the spotlight for potential effects of violent media on youth social behavior. Firstly from a historical perspective rap music is grounded in the African and African American culture. Rap is basically oral language mainly set against a musical background and this dates back to early African societies who used the tradition to entertain and educate audiences in tribal history and current events (Powell, 1991). In American societies rap music can be found in early versions of Jazz and R&B music and has been a traditional form of contest among inner city African American dwellers (Dyson, 1993; Herd, 1994). Modern rap music originated in the 1970’s in the lower class neighborhoods of New York City...

Words: 336 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Lalal

...how the American pop music has been developing from 1990s to 2000s and why there is a trend like this. 1. Blues and Jazz Due to the immigration and population movements in history from 18th century to the peak time 1940s, millions of black man was moved or moved out of Africa to American to be cheap labours. During the movement, black music was brought into America and originated jazz and blue genres. 1.1 Blues Black slaves and their descendents created blues while they can adapt chasing and field shouters, turning on their passionate, because of which, blues has a free form as call-and-response vocal music, without the accompany of rhythm music. Led by Robert Johnson, Johnny Winter and many seniors, Bob Dylan is no doubt a representative. His works embodied folk, rock, Blues Retro and many factors. The narrative lyrics and sincere emotion made him popular till now. Moreover, in 1990s,Ben Harper's folk blues style,which actually brought people on the dance floor in small bars, was expressed successfully. He was regarded as a retro "member". As the form of blues getting more and more flexible and more and more popular blues being, from 1990s to 2000s, blues singers use harmonica, guitar, sonificate can and electric music instruments into blues. The film The Lion King also made a good use of blues as its background music. 1.2 Jazz Jazz has a lot of common on the...

Words: 1189 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Wynton Marsalis

...The interaction between Blues and Jazz can be discerned when the origins of both music are scrutinized. The development of one is hidden in the roots of one another and both use similar sound patterns for instance. In this paper the readers will be presented a brief history of Blues & Jazz within the similarities of the two. If we trace back to the history of Blues music, the impact of African-American tradition is seen quite apparently. Blues music evolved from the songs sung by West African griots, the southern Black American songs of sadness and despair, and more hopeful Christian spirituals. It originated in the rural Mississippi Delta region at the beginning of 20th century. Similarly, Jazz music emerged as a blend of African-American rituals; the features carried from West African Black folk music developed in the Americas, joined with European music of the late 18th and 19th centuries and turned out to be the minor voicing characteristics of the Blues. Jazz emerged in New Orleans and was characterized by strong but flexible rhythms. Blues had its most brilliant years in America by the end of WWI. The American troops brought the Blues home with them, which they learned from the Southern Whites who had been exposed to the blues. After WWII, Blues had a different experience by the well-known Blues musicians as B.B. King and Buddy Guy by “amplifying guitar” and “emphasized drums”; thus created intensified sounds in Blues, the collection of which later called...

Words: 814 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Hip Hop

...instead of doing conducting field research I will do Hip hop, where it was originated and where it was from? And how it has evolved over the years? How it is nowadays? The term hip hop is a big thing nowadays and it was found in New York, among black and latino ghetto. The main components of Hip Hop are Rap, Break Dancing, Graffiti, In south Bronx 1967 came Clive Campbell. He is a well known hip hop founder and his name was a big thing in those years. The hip hop originated in 60th and 20th century and it still exists today. https://prezi.com/m/uwz8x4klgu2w/where-did-hip-hop-originate-and-who-were-its-founders/ The hip-hop culture began in the streets of New York City over twenty-five years ago and it has gone through very big changes through the years of the past. Hip-Hop consists of four element, rap, graffiti, break-dancing, and the disc jockey. In this paper, I intend to fully explain the evolution of rap music, from its fame to the giant industry it is today. I will complete a big paper of how hip hop has evolved and is eve loving in the modern day. http://employees.oneonta.edu/bealt/alexander.htm "Hip hop and rap have many important influences—R&B, funk, soul, jazz, rock and roll performers; poets, and writers like Iceberg Slim; and stylistic forebears like Muhammad Ali and Richard Pryor. Few of these can match the importance of the spoken-word artist, improvisational street-poet, and R&B performer Gil Scott-Heron. Born on 1 April 1949 in Chicago, Illinois, Scott-Heron...

Words: 457 - Pages: 2