That Jazz - Monkey Max Music and File Download

Chapter 2
Altered Ears: Understanding the
Traits and Roots of Jazz
In This Chapter
� Recognizing the elements of jazz
� Visiting jazz’s heritage
� Appreciating jazz’s rhythm, harmony, melody, and sounds
� Connecting jazz to other forms of music
Jazz has a tough time of it in this modern, convenient world. People have
grown used to getting everything instantly — from fast food to fast oil
changes, Internet access, and digital photos. When it comes to music, some
people are impatient in that realm too. They often settle for what’s played
on radio and television — places where you don’t hear much jazz these days.
Internet music Web sites and satellite radio offer endless choices, but you
have to know what you’re looking for.
Getting into jazz is like getting into gourmet food: you have to seek it out.
Sometimes the search is hard work, but when you succeed, the “meal” is
worth it. Jazz encompasses some of the most complex, diverse, and soulsatisfying
music on Earth.
If you’re relatively new to jazz, you may find it hard to understand — even
strange — and you may have trouble connecting emotionally. Don’t give up.
Many current fans felt the same way. I didn’t know quite what to make of
Miles Davis when I first heard his music — a time when most of my peers
were into Woodstock and acid rock.
The purpose of this chapter is to give you a set of altered ears, like when you
upgrade your sound system in order to hear all the nuances of the music. I’m
hooking you up with a pair of sensitive ears for hearing and appreciating jazz
from its roots and basic elements to subtler nuances.