August 15, 2008
Jazz
Jazz is one of those musical genres that can be intimidating to listen to because it has a long history and jazz aficionados are somewhat elitist. So where do you start once you?ve heard a little bit of jazz and decide you like it? Why not start with smooth jazz music and broaden your musical horizons?
What is Smooth Jazz?
There are many styles of jazz as the music evolved from its early beginnings as music played in brothels; smooth jazz music is different from what traditionally might be termed jazz. Smooth jazz music can be called modern jazz as it originated somewhere in the mid to late 1970?s.
Some of the influences you can find in smooth jazz music are funk, pop music and R&B - all very contemporary types of music which perhaps characterizes smooth jazz music as a fusion of the old and new. Although smooth jazz music should not be confused with fusion jazz, the most popular instruments used in smooth jazz music are saxophones and guitars.
Easily Accessible
Smooth jazz music is possibly one of the most accessible forms of jazz music as it is widely played on radio stations. In the 1980?s smooth jazz was very popular on radio and there are now plenty of radio stations dedicated solely to this form of jazz. So there?s no shortage of places for you to hear this beautiful music, a problem you might face if you were into old school jazz.
The great thing about smooth jazz music is that it is not something only certain people will enjoy. Because of the many styles incorporated into smooth jazz, people who wouldn?t normally listen or enjoy jazz would probably find themselves enjoying smooth jazz music. Appreciating jazz might be associated with the older crowd, who are mature enough, but this isn?t the case with smooth jazz as everyone, regardless of age, listens to this music.
A Great Starting Point
Smooth jazz is a great way of ease into listening to jazz music in general, mainly because you would not think of smooth jazz as hard-core jazz. You?ve probably heard smooth jazz before but didn?t know it because it sounded too new to be jazz. Once you?ve listened to smooth jazz you can start to try other types of jazz that are closer to the original form. Who knows, sooner or later you might find yourself in the elitist category of jazz heads that might sniff at smooth jazz!
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Out of all the jazz music, a favorite has to be jazz piano music; it is probably the easiest to follow and listen to by all types of individuals no matter what their musical preference. Jazz piano Music Jazz piano music requires different skills to play and listen alike; piano in itself is considered a classical instrument with powerful notes to reach one?s heart and soul; since jazz music is not written out in detail the way other classical music is, the individual pianist who is playing jazz piano music, needs an extensive knowledge of musical vocabulary such as chords, melodic material and basic jazz music knowledge. The piano typically is said to be able to be broken up in three main sections; the lower section being the bass or representing an acoustic bass player, the middle is the piano, more for chords and the melody and the high end of the piano is the horn section. The combination of the three sections is the most basic form of theory for the jazz piano music. The Love for Music One does not have to go into intensive study of jazz piano music in order to appreciate it; by listening to music itself one can develop an appreciation for it and basic knowledge. Music is known to bring positive attitude, thoughts and improvement in one?s mood almost instantly. How many times did you listen to a song and it took you right back in time to where you heard it for the first time, what you did and how was present there; music even brings us back smells and sights of a particular event with its every little detail. Music therapy is widely practiced on humans, animals and plants; it is a known fact that those who listen music have a better approach to problem or issue. It is also known that music brings hope with which one can face almost anything; even seriously diseased patients have had their pain and hurt alienated by music even for a little while at a time. People have found peace in music ? a place to recollect and relax one?s mind and soul. Jazz piano music is one such type of medicine for the soul that needs healing but also for those who just plain appreciate life and music; both piano and jazz by themselves are known to be soothing and romantic due to which one should not miss any change to miss the two and make some jazz piano music to enjoy everyday.
