MUS 135 exam 1
What does the term "ragtime" refer to? How was Scott Joplin important to the advancement and popularity of Ragtime?
Joplin was one of the first black men to engage with this sort of culture and gain societal recognition. He was a composer as well as a performer. He ended up writing a song for a popular bar, commemorating its qualities, and called it "The Maple Leaf Rag" which became very popular.
What are musical characteristics of early New Orleans jazz? What were the musical differences between bands that played head arrangements and those that played written arrangements? Why was Buddy Bolden considered one of the first influential musicians in the development of jazz?
Form, structure, of European music but the improv, blue tonality, and polyrhythms of African music Head arrangements are unwritten Bolden standardizes the instrumentation of early jazz Shaped the repertory of jazz Hymns, marches, blues, ragtime depending on the audience
What was importance of Joe King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band? What was the importance of Gennett Records?
He brought the Dixieland style and made it even more popular as he mainly used written compositions. Gaining more influence, his band was made up of several individuals, one of which was Louis Armstrong. Gennett Records was established in Richmond Indiana and had several personalities working underneath it to give its name significance (owned by Clarence Gennett). Recorded several famous people like Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong.
What is historicism in jazz mean? Who are the traditionalists and what are their beliefs in regards to jazz? Who are the populist and what are their beliefs in regards to jazz?
Historicism is a theory proposed by Hegel where "great art is a reflection of the art that came before it." It supports modernist interpretations of Jazz classic. It contrasts itself with the "great man, great art" theory. The traditionalists believed that something like jazz should not be recorded as determined by its traditional cultural roots. A populist believes that while the culture is important, it should be accessible to the masses and would support things such as recording, making music sheets.
What was Jelly Roll Morton's role in progressing the performance aesthetic of jazz?
As a pianist, central in the transformation of ragtime piano into a distinct style of jazz piano Jelly roll meshed head arrangements and written music.
Why was Sidney Bechet considered one of jazz's first great improvisers? How did he contribute to the globalization of jazz?
Bechet contributed to the globalization of jazz as he moved to France (visited London as well) after leaving the music scene in America. He was also involved in a number of music projects in America where he used improvisational techniques.
What is the connection between ragtime and early jazz?
Both associated with developing dance culture of the late 19th and 20th centuries Early jazz performances were structures in the "march form" They had a shared repertory especially as musicians alternate between the two
What does the use of the term "classical jazz" represent? When Deveaux and Giddins make reference to the works "lingua franca" what are they referring to?
Classical Jazz originated in New Orleans and was comprised of mainly brass instruments. Lingua franca refers to the different modern dialects of Jazz. Though today's musicians may prefer one over the rest, they all "speak" all of them and could play them should the music require it.
How did Minstrelsy impact understandings of black culture? What impact did dance music and the music of bands like that of James Reece Europe and John Philip Sousa influence the development of jazz?
Minstrelsy created long-lasting stereotypes: immature behavior, unkempt Dance music influenced jazz by cementing it as music to dance to and experience rather than merely listen, brass musicians like Sousa changed brass bands to be something associated with the military to something associated with consumer music.
How did the conversion of slaves to Christianity impact musical practices? What genres of music developed out of conversion of slaves? (e.g. characteristics and functions) What made the shout or ring shout different from all other spirituals?
Missionaries wanted to preserve Christian music, northerners were converted automatically Three types Hymns- adapted from various denominations through the revival meetings Spirituals (jubilees)- songs created out of the slave religious experiences (brush arbor) Simple songs based in repetition Often call response but sometimes solo vocals Shouts Songs that combined singing with sacred dance (no crossing of feet, shuffled instead) Only done in brush arbor
What region of Africa connects with African-derived culture in the West? What are the aesthetical beliefs regarding worldview and culture that Africans from this region held?
Mostly comes from West Africa. Music is an integral part of daily life; music is functional and the performance is communal (rituals, griot (musicians / historians). No separation between secular and sacred. The power of the word (speak into existence). Oral tradition.
What contributed to the development of jazz culture in Chicago during the EARLY 1920s? What spaces where jazz was cultivated (differences and similarities)?
Nightclubs and dance halls, speakeasies, "black and tan" clubs (integrated)
What were the earliest forms of music to develop out of the slave experience (know the characteristics of these genres and what were their functions within the lives of slaves)?
Primary environment (daily interaction with European culture) Work songs: Changed to reflect the work they were doing Still functional Speaks to adaptability Often given double entendre (double meaning) Secondary environment (insular - between slaves) Practiced prohibited cultural elements (ex: drums)
What was the historical and cultural significance of the Chicago World's Fair (Columbian Exposition) in 1893?
Ragtime was heard by masses at the Chicago World's Fair, syncopated (accent placed in offbeat) dance music more popular, was a showcase of how piano was important to Americans for the status of owning one After this ragtime transitioned to a written form
What is the relationship between the blues and early jazz?
Some performances structured in the blues harmonic and textual form The ethos or feeling of the blues was appropriated by some musicians Many early jazz musicians accompanied female vocalists (like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith) Similar sound identity (the attributes / elements that distinguish a musician)
How did African American music reflect the concept of "double consciousness" as defined by the scholar/public intellectual W.E.B. DuBois?
Some songs would have a double meaning, such as "Wade in the Water", which gave instructions on how to run away while seeming to be about Baptism
How did the social and cultural life of New Orleans contribute to development of jazz?
Strong cultural / musical diversity: was a port city and had creoles, Europeans, Africans, Creoles of color Creoles of color- African + French or Portuguese, mixed blacks Free, wealthy, educated, music reflected European traditions "Uptown negroes"- working class, enslaved blacks Storyville- red light district in NOLA, brothels, dance halls, saloons, etc. Proliferation of brass bands Ritual aspects - funerals, weddings, mardi gras.
Notable women that excelled as jazz musicians in New Orleans and Chicago:
Sweet Emma Barrett DeDe Pierce Lil Hardin Lovie Austin TODO: What were their specific contributions or achievements?
Positive and negative effects of first jazz recording
Technological advancements allow for music to be shared, allowing others to access a culture in a new way. Also introduces writing sheet music and saving it. The negative effects include a disruption of the original cultural form followed by mainstream attention.
How did the Great Migration influence the spread of jazz? What Northern and Midwestern cities became "centers" of jazz during the 1920s?
The GM influenced the spread of jazz through the people that migrated. Though recordings had already been made, people would eventually travel to become a part of cities with an intention to engage in this culture. Subcultures developed due to the different locations where jazz was popular. New Orleans, Chicago, New York, and later Kansas city would become "centers" of Jazz.
Who were the ODJB (Original Dixieland Jazz Band) and why are they important to early jazz history; what does their presence in the mainstream and popularity reveal about the early jazz culture?
The ODJB was the first band to ever record and put their song on a record. Though since their performance is actually very long, they had to speed it up on the recording to fit the time limit, introducing a fast paced tempo. They embrace the term Jazz instead of Ragtime, their popularity reflects little of the actual style pertaining to actual ragtime culture, firstly noting that ragtime was not to be recorded.
What was the marketing strategy directed at black audiences called and how did this change the relationship between black musicians and the recording industry?
The marketing strategy was called "race records". It changed the relationship between black musicians and the recording industry because when albums were marked with the race of who made the record, the consumer was made aware of who they were going to listen to, meaning they had a preference in what music-culture to engage in.
How was the classic or vaudeville blues different musically and culturally from the rural blues? What was Ma Rainey's importance to the formation of vaudeville blues culture? Why was W.C. Handy considered the "Father of the Blues"? What are the two primary ways in which vaudeville blues culture was disseminated to mass audiences? What was Bessie Smith's role in progressing the sound of the vaudeville blues?
The rural blues were performed mostly by men while the vaudeville blues was performed mostly by women with instruments considered to be feminine at the time (such as piano). While the rural blues reflected the adversities and experiences of southern life, vaudeville blues was the first form of black entertainment music and had very different lyrical content relating to leisure/varied experiences. Ma Rainey was one of the earliest blues singers to record, encouraging others that followed. W.C. Handy was called the father of the blues because he originally composed many works as he was born around the mid-late 1800s. He also wrote down the Blues in European notation. The two primary ways that vaudeville blues was spread to the masses included advances in technology, introduction of sheet music, beginning of leisure culture including black entertainment. Bessie Smith (Empress of Blues) progressed the sound of vaudeville blues through her fame. Though she was not the first female vocalist she was the most famous. She was a superstar.
What are the origins of the word "jazz" and what were the controversies that surrounded the use of the term?
The term doesn't come from New Orleans, mainly used by northern whites. Many black musicians wanted it to be called ragtime Was going to be called "jass" but people would scratch out the "J" to leave an explicative
What are the existing jazz paradigms or subgenres that reflect the contemporary jazz scene? What distinguishes each? (know 2-3 characteristics of what distinguishes each
Third Stream Combines elements of european concert (Classical) music and jazz Introduced by composer / scholar Bunther Schuller in 1957 No improvisation - follows written score Smooth Jazz Draws from R&B, rock, and pop Med/slow tempo, emphasizes melody Considered by some to be a "sell-out" and not real Jazz Popular because it is accessible Avant-Garde Centered on exploring new performance methods that oppose existing traditions Very Experimental Traditional ("Straight ahead" / "Post bop" / "Hard bop") Derived from the bop style of the 40s and 50s Trumpet, sax (alto or tenor), ac bass, ac piano, drums Intricate but tuneful improvisation Listening music as opposed to dance music (intellectual, not for entertainment)
How did this behavior define how segments of the black community viewed blues, ragtime and jazz
This may have driven individuals to say that Jazz was the devil's music. Though, later after this genre was popularized, people may have tried to make it as respectable as possible (wearing suits).
What are social agents that defined or impacted southern black life during Reconstruction? What musical traditions that contribute to the development of the blues? What was the lifestyle or culture of the rural blues?
Though slavery was over, social relationships were obviously still bitter. Sore wounds from slavery, new sharecropping lifestyle, and the impact of hate groups such as the KKK, and Jim Crow laws made life become a trial. Original slave songs that also consisted of spirituals, contributed to what later became the blues and jazz. The lifestyle of the rural blues culture consisted of traveling musicians that played at juke joints or street corners and contained adversities/ways of southern life.
What specific traits of African culture was retained in African American music? What instruments did Africans introduce to Europeans in the American experience? What were differences in the process of acculturation between Northern and Southern blacks?
Traits retained: blue tonality, rhythm / polyrhythms, improv, communal aspects. Introduced banjo. African traits disappeared quicker in the north versus the south. Christian conversion was quicker in North.
What is ragtime and how is it different and similar to other forms of black music (characteristics)?
Two types of ragtime Classic ragtime- written; popularized by Joplin Folk ragtime- improv, nonwritten Typically composed with the following march form: AABBACCDD Syncopated dance music
How did the limitations of early recording contribute to misunderstanding regarding jazz music?
With a maximum record time for each record, and jazz tending to be a bit slower than this time restriction, the songs were sped up to fit the parameters and ultimately took away from the central aesthetic it once emanated.
How did the culture of early jazz impact the participation of women musicians?
Women were able to perform with popular jazz musicians and gain notoriety.
