What Is Jazz Music?
Music is the creative art of arranging sounds in a specific order to create a melody through the components of rhythm, melody, melodic harmony, and melody timbre. It’s one of the oldest universal artistic aspects of all humanity’s cultures. The word “music” actually comes from the Greek word “mantos,” which meant “singing.” From that time, music has been used to describe the aesthetic value of music to its composers, listeners, and artists.
For example, when a performer reads music, we typically refer to it by the words melody and rhythm. A pianist reads music using piano keys and their various rhythms, while a singer reads music using their voice, which is the most commonly heard component of musical notation. Some composers use both, while others prefer to only use one.
In modern times, most dance music is written in six-on-the-floor “shuffle” style. This is commonly referred to as “free-style.” Free style is considered a simpler and more natural form of music, as it doesn’t necessarily require unnatural or complex instruments. In contrast, jazz music, which is often performed in live venues with a swing feel to it, often requires a complex ensemble of instruments, most notably an electronic keyboard and a set of headphones so that the performer can hear their performance right in front of them. Jazz music often utilizes polyphonic synthesizers and other digital synthesizers.