Jazz Reflection

Gentlemen,

As we come to the end of our unit on Jazz, I would like you to answer a few short reflection questions...

1. Which part of the course did you enjoy the most?
2. Which part did you enjoy the least?
3. Did you find using the blog helpful? If yes, how/if no, why not?
4. Out of the performance, composition and listening/aural strand of the course, which do you think you need the most help with?
5. Did you use the blog in preparation for the half yearly examination? If so, how?
6. Can you think of some other uses of the blog, or any other technology which may be useful in our class?
7. If we had to study the Jazz course again, what do you think we could have changed?

Thank you and I look forward to your responses!

Mr. M

Latin Jazz

Tito Puente was arguably the best known Latin Jazz percussionist and band leader. His fame even scored him a guest spot on the Simpson's two part episode "Who Killed Mr. Burns".

The clip below, "New Arrival" shows Tito in one of his last recordings prior to his death in May, 2000. There are certainly elements from both camps in this piece - Latin and Jazz.

See if you can listen to each layer of sound and identify the Latin elements and the Jazz elements.


It might be easier to do this by looking at each instrument. Tito himself is featured here on the drum kit and plays some very interesting drum rhythms. Post a comment that discusses each instrument layer:

- Drum Kit
- Percussion
- Piano
- Bass Guitar
- Saxophone
- Flute




I can't finish this post without mentioning Tito's other work which is primarily leading his band and performing some amazing drumming on the timbales. Check out some fantastic clips here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33orc70TAxg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAr1K2-skoA

Enjoy!
Mr. M

Cool Jazz

Questions:

1. What is the main difference employed by the Cool rhythm section?

2. How is the melodic line different?

3. Which instrument takes the first solo?

4. Find out the name of the instrument playing the second solo. Why do you think this instrument was used?

5. Describe what you can hear in the rhythm section during the solos

6. Outline the structure of this piece. What form is it using?

Jazz Exam

Hello Year 9

As you know, your half yearly exam will be on Thursday 21st May. The exam will consist of a number of parts:

a) Melodic and Rhythmic dictation:
To study for the melodic dictations, you may find sites like http://www.trainear.com/ useful. Otherwise we will be spending time in class working through activities. You might even have someone at home who can test you.

b) Score reading:
The textbook has a number of good activities. Try to complete these in about 20 mins each.
Page 22: "When the Saints Go Marching In"
Page 30: "Don't Get Around Much Anymore"
Page 36: "Take 5"
Page 43: "The Brolga Blues"

c) Listening:
Go back through the blog and make sure you answer the questions relating to the listening questions. I will post up some more pieces and questions this week.

d) Jazz characteristics:
You should have written out the characteristic to each of the styles of Jazz covered. These are...
Blues (pg 10)
Dixieland (pg 19)
Swing (pg 26)
Bebop (pg 30)
Cool (pg 32)
Latin Jazz (pg 36)

Remember your class teacher is always there to help you, in person or through the Internet!

Mr. M

Happy Holidays

Bloggers,

As we depart for end of term holidays, please spend some time to go over material covered this far. We will be finishing up Jazz next term and conclude with our half yearly examination.

If you have not responded to the posts below, please take your time to do so. You will find it to be a helpful study tool in preparation to this exam.

Have a restful and happy holiday.

Mr. M

I will be giving an Easter egg to anyone that mentions this post before the holidays!

Bebop

Hi everyone

Congratulations to all of you on completing your compositions, Mr M and I enjoyed listening to them all.

This week we will be looking at the styles of Bebop and Cool Jazz, listening to pieces by the late great Charlie Parker and Miles Davis.

Have a look at this video of Charlie Parker and Dizzie Gillespie playing together in 1951 and post a response to this question:

What are some of the characteristics of Bebop you notice in this clip?