The Evolution of Jazz Music: From Work Songs to Be-Bop
The Origins of Jazz Music
Origin of Jazz: Jazz originated from the songs of enslaved people who worked on plantations in the southeastern United States. There are three primary genres: Work Song, Blues, and Gospel song.
Work Songs
Work Song: Work songs helped slaves coordinate their efforts on plantations. The pace of work provided the basis for the chants, accompanied by the sound of the tools. These songs had a sad and melancholy character, but were rhythmic. One worker would start singing, and the
Read MoreClassical Music: History, Features, and Key Composers
Classical Music: A Historical Overview
Some news: Classical music emerged between the 17th and 19th centuries. This era saw the rise of public concerts, accessible through paid musical tickets, and the advent of music journalism. Numerous books and studies were written to facilitate learning musical instruments.
Key Features of Classical Music
Features classical music: The basso continuo largely disappeared, replaced by accompaniments featuring repeated chords and arpeggios. The rhythmic accompaniment
Read MoreMedieval Music: Texture, Gregorian Chants, and Troubadours
Medieval Music
Texture is the way in which different voices (melodies) in a musical piece are arranged. There are four main types of textures:
- Monophonic (Monophony): A single voice (melody) without any accompaniment. It is the oldest type of texture. Example: Gregorian chant.
- Homophonic Texture (Homophony): Several voices (melodies) that sound simultaneously with the same rhythm, even the same notes. It is the simplest type of polyphony. Example: Protestant Chorale.
- Polyphonic Textures (Polyphony):
Classical and Baroque Music: Forms and History
Classical Music
Born in 1750, Classical music is lighter and more graceful than Baroque music. It refers to music written between approximately 1750 and 1820.
Classical Orchestral Music
In the 18th century, orchestras had developed, but they were much smaller. Composers used keyboard instruments to play chords and make the music sound fuller.
The Symphony
A symphony is a large-scale work for orchestra. It appeared in the Classical period. The first symphonies were usually in three movements, but later,
Read MoreRomanticism in Spain: Music and Theater (1830s)
Romanticism in Spain in the 1830s
Unstable Political Situation: With Maria Cristina (1833-44), exiles returned to Spain, bringing with them the Romanticism with which they had been formed in Italy and France. The musical setting was decadent, and so a strong Romanticism was born from this:
- Absence of formal musical studies and structures (the study of music at the University was abandoned). (In 1830, the Conservatory of Music and Declamation, M. Cristina, Madrid, opened.)
- No glorification of the composer
Classicism: Orchestras, Symphonies, and Sonata Forms
Classicism
The Classical Orchestra and the Symphony
The period between 1750 and 1800 witnessed the consolidation of the symphony orchestra. The foundation of the classical symphony orchestra was the string section, comprising first and second violins, violas, cellos, and contrabasses.
Initially, horns had limitations, leading to the development of the bassoon to produce more notes. The bassoon was regularly used during the Classical era and later gained autonomy. The clarinet also saw significant development.
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