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Listening Assignments for Jazz

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You should use songs that feature your instrument.  Most of the great Jazz artists can be accessed through iTunes, etc.   Each class has specific instructions as to when and how many listening assignment are due.  Please refer to your class’ syllabus for specific instructions.

Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to listen to one of the songs on the iMix and write a review for someone who has never heard this particular track before. Use as much of your musical vocabulary as possible to describe what you are hearing (see attached list of terms for help.)  To do this properly, you will need to listen to the track many times.  Punctuation, spelling and grammar are paramount and will be a portion of your grade. 

Audience:  You are writing for a newspaper or magazine whose readership has an understanding of jazz music.  This will enable you to discuss in some detail what it is that you are hearing using musical terms.  You can do this by discussing instrumentation, style, improvisation, harmony, swing, groove, etc. You should, however, assume the reader has never heard this particular piece before, so be as descriptive as possible.  You may find it helpful for your review to do some research and find out who is on the recording, when it was recorded, etc.  You may include your opinion on the song, but be sure to back up your opinion with specific examples from the piece.  The question that the reader is asking you is:  “Should I spend $17.99 on this CD or not, and why?”  

Role:  Your role is as a jazz critic for the above publication.  I would suggest that you read some reviews (Chicago Tribune, Downbeat, Jazziz, etc) for examples to guide you in your review writing.  

Examples of Great Jazz Artists by Instrument (you’re not necesarrily limited to these):

Saxophone: Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Cannonball Adderley, Johnny Hodges, John Coltrane, Hank Mobley, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon 

Trumpet: Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Miles Davis

Trombone: J.J. Johnson, Curtis Fuller, Frank Rosolino, Kai Winding, Conrad Herwig

Guitar: Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino, Grant Green, Pat Metheny, John Scofield

Piano: Bud Powell, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Wynton Kelley

Bass: Oscar Petiford, Jimmy Blanton, Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, 

Drums: Philly Joe Jones, Jimmy Cobb, Buddy Rich, Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Kenny Clark.


SOME MUSICAL VOCABULARY TERMS/CONCEPTS TO AID IN WRITING YOUR REVIEW

Instrumentation
Dynamics 
Rhythmic simplicity
Rhythmic complexity
Improvisation
Tonal/ Atonal
Groove
Swing
Texture
Energy
Form (Blues, AABA, Extended, etc.)
Style (Modern, Swing, Latin etc.)
Conversational