America's Quintessential Music
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Born from the meeting of ragtime and blues, jazz journeyed to Chicago, New York and beyond. Along the way, the music became as complex as America itself. Music critic and scholar Gary Giddins, co-author of the new book Jazz, explains how he tackled that epic history.
Comments [15]
I wonder why the question is do I understand jazz rather than do I like this particular piece or not. I like some classical music and dislike other classical music, and enjoy learning about ALL music, but I do not really feel that I MUST UNDERSTAND all that I hear. Sometimes understanding DOES change my experience of music, sometimes it does not. Who is it that says, "if it sounds good, it IS good." I kind of like that.
I sometimes wonder if I am supposed to understand jazz or just like or dislike it. I like some classical music and dislike other classical music, but do not ask if I understand it. Not Really. I do want to learn about both classical and jazz. Jazz seems like a very wide term covering a lot of territory. Maybe not as wide a territory as classical, but pretty wide none-the-less, as a lot of very different music gets called jazz.
What da man say? if it sounds good it is good?
Roy, thanks for the question. Just wish I'd had Gary Giddin's answer to it 10 years ago, when I was a classical pianist trying to find my way in a jazz band--and intimidated to the max.
CD 101.9 ? that's a jazz station, yes
Best Gateway to Jazz is Maceo Parker "2% jazz 98% funky stuff!"
Thank you!
I often feel like a little kid standing on the outside watching other kids play when I listen to jazz. I have a musical background and feel that, if I understood some things about jazz, my appreciation would grow. Some jazz doesn't always fall easily on my ears, but I want to know what everyone else is hearing that I'm missing!
Roy, I second your question. One thing that my old jazz band teacher recommended was something of a Music Minus One - called "How to Play Jazz and Improvise." (ASIN B00005Y95W) Then said band teacher gave me a whole list of jazz pianists to listen to. DON'T DO that. You'll be too hard on yourself, judging everything that you play to be sub-par. Remember that it gets easier, like most things about our instrument, with practice. Try making things on your own! Then tell me to take my own advice more often.
Experts always said that Miles' genius was not in his playing, but in his pauses.
Miles Davis "Live-Evil" changed my life.
What is the best way for a classical pianist to learn to improvise? (I know harmony and can read classical music well, but I'm intimidated by improvisation.)
I thought jazz was a profane term for sex. I have done no research, just something I remember hearing.
Do I understand jazz?? It's art. I enjoy it. I didn't realize I had to "understand" it.
What of the long time rumor that "Jazz is dead?"
In building my knowledge of Jazz and as a sort of guide to what I should hear, Gary Giddins' two books, "Visions of Jazz - The First Century" and "Weather Bird - Jazz at the dawn of its Second Century" have both been without parallel.
And, for today's show, my sister, a loyal WNYC member, called to to let me know Mr.Giddins would be on. When I asked her how she knew I liked his work, she reminded me that I had extolled the books in my weblog, "Whither Public Radio and serious music" at http://richardmitnick.wordpress.com
I am glad for the call, I apparently had an incorrect RSS feed, so I was getting nothing. I have now corrected that.
>>RSM
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