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Listening to jazz

© Agha Yasir

Before learning more about jazz it is time to cue up some jazz - those who want to begin listening to it should but some CDs that have various jazz standards collection to give you a feel of the various styles. You don't have to be disappointed because they all may seem to sound the same at first but later when you are trained to listening every number would sound completely different. Listen to the way players use chords to keep the beat and how instrumentalists wave melodies and solos around the beat.

Hearing harmony and melody

Harmony is the way two or more notes sound together. Obviously, with 88 keys on piano, the harmonic possibilities are nearly infinite.

Melody is a series of single notes that together make a musical statement. Melody is what most people commonly call the "tune" of a song.

Harmony and melody are vital partners. Within a jazz song, harmony works on several levels. Usually harmonics work at a subliminal level such that they are not easily recognized but their effect is very much evident by your swinging of the head to the tune or melody of the track. A guitar player or pianist plays chords - combinations of notes. These notes harmonize with each other in various ways. A singer or sax player adds a melody over the chords. So the melody harmonizes with the chords. A bass player adds yet another line of music beneath the chords a primary melody. Yet another layer of harmony!

As you get into jazz by Louis Armstrong, Lester Young, Miles Davis, and other legendary players, listen to each new song a half dozen times in a row …or more. First time through, listen with an ear for basic rhythms, chords, and melodies. Then hear how various instrumental parts complement each other. Once you feel comfortable with basic rhythms, chords and melodies, start paying attention to the ways in which players improvise.

But how can you tell when they are improvising? It's not always easy. Sometimes, even when playing a familiar song, jazz musicians alter the basic melody. Sometimes, even when playing a familiar song, jazz musicians alter the basic melody. Sometimes you will still be able to recognize it. Other times, familiar songs sound like new songs because of the way jazz musicians reinvent them. In most common type o jazz song, the band plays the song's signature melody all the way through once before the improvisation begins. Then they usually end the song by playing the melody again.