What is Jazz?

[JHC]

sorry, my english is not exactly the best.
I think you know that the most common form used in a jazz piece is the esposition of the melody, then the choruses with the same chords for the improvisation, then the reprise of the melody

Sorry I did not mean to criticise your English I just failed to work it out

[teddy]

Don;t worry about your English esher. We understand what you mean.

teddy

[White Knight]

Escher, like J.H.C. I was a little unclear as to what you meant regarding the improvisation part of " Ramblin" being different from the original theme/melody of the piece. Could it still be classified as jazz then?

[OLDUDE]

Hi Steve,

It is my view that in live or studio jazz no such thing as 100% improvisation is ever likely to occur.
There is no doubt that all jazz musicians will practice acciduously either alone or with other players, and it is probably within such private sessions that their whole range of "imprompto" phrasing is developed to be drawn upon when playing in "real" stuations.
Of course this may well be considered preferable by some, rather than those situations where every note for every instrument is previously written to be followed by rote during a performance.
Personally my attitude is that any jazz sounds I hear that sound good to me are OK no matter how they are produced.

Cheers John

[White Knight]

Hi John and thanks for your response to my question. I like your answer very much and upon further reflection, believe that it is as good as any other criterion which might be put forward in judging this music's-or any other genre for that matter-effectiveness in moving us and creating a particular mood. I guess in the final analysis it comes down to the experiences and frame of mind each individual listener brings when he or she is listening to music. Quite ironically then, we as human beings have this intensely personal relationship with music, while at the same time being able to share, enjoy and at times interpret it with other people, which I find to be fascinating. Hope you and yours are well and looking forward to hearing from you again. Peace, Steve aka white knight.

[Mat]

Hi Steve,

It is my view that in live or studio jazz no such thing as 100% improvisation is ever likely to occur.

Not sure if I understood you right, John, but what about jam sessions? You just say to your band mates that now we're playing Fly Me To The Moon in the key of Eb and you start playing. If you happen to know the people you're playing with well, you might just end up creating something beautiful. No rehearsals needed.

My two cents worth...

[JHC]

Not sure if I understood you right, John, but what about jam sessions? You just say to your band mates that now we're playing Fly Me To The Moon in the key of Eb and you start playing. If you happen to know the people you're playing with well, you might just end up creating something beautiful. No rehearsals needed.

My two cents worth...

If I may add: at jazz clubs it is (or was) very common for musicians in the audience to "get upon the mound and swing" as Louis used to say.

[OLDUDE]

Hi Mat and Colin,
OK I know about Jam sessions but I stick by my comment that "imprompto phrasing already in the musicians repertoire plays a big part in any co called improvisation.
The better the jam sounds the more likely this is to apply. (Some such jams are can be fearful to behold and listen to).
My get out clause was " 100% improvisation"

Cheers John

[JHC]

Hi Mat and Colin,
OK I know about Jam sessions but I stick by my comment that "imprompto phrasing already in the musicians repertoire plays a big part in any co called improvisation.

John, of course it does, so does a knowledge of scales, chords, arpeggios etc etc it is the musicians basic language, liken it to speaking a language without the basics of grammar,

The better the jam sounds the more likely this is to apply. (Some such jams are can be fearful to behold and listen to).

An interesting point is that we enjoy music if we can anticipate what is to come next, even just roughly not note for note

My get out clause was " 100% improvisation"

Cheers John

100% improvisation would result in 100% random sound/noise and be terrible to behold as in “free form jazz” lol not wishing to offend free jazz freaks