Jazz Vocabulary Flashcards
Improvisation
When musicians are making up music in real time, usually using an agreed style and structure.
(Swing can either refer to swing rhythm, or it can refer to a specific genre of jazz that’s mentioned further down this list.)
Swing
A rhythmic feel of an uneven subdivision (long-short, long-short, etc.), and an emphasis on beast 2 and 4 (in quadruple meter).
Syncopation
A rhythmic emphasis placed on weak beats, or in-between the beats.
Chord Progression
The reoccurring harmonies that help from the structure of a song.
Walking Bass
A constant, step-wise motion as the bass instrument plays. Consistent rhythm on the beat, and stepwise melodic motion.
Rhythm Section
A group of instruments that works as a team in many jazz ensembles. Usually made up of piano, bass, drums, and sometimes guitar.
Big Band
An ensemble made up mainly of saxophones, trombones, trumpets, and the rhythms section.
Combo
A combo is a small ensemble jazz musicians usually 3-10 people.
Jazz Form
Usually: Head, Improvisation over the head chord progression, Head. This form uses the structure of a melody as the platform for musicians to improvise on.
Ragtime
A precursor of jazz, Ragtime music embraced syncopation, and a predictable form. Ragtime was a big influence on early jazz music.
Dixieland Jazz
An early style of jazz based on the roots of jazz styles from New Orleans.
Swing Era / Swing Style
A style of jazz that became the popular music of the 1930s-1950s. This music embraced the big band, and often played danceable music, and emphasized swing rhythms.
Bebop
Is a style of jazz in the 1950s-1970s. This style of jazz used small combos, performed very difficult music at very fast tempos, and focused most of its time on improvisation.
Fusion
A style of jazz that used rock instruments and rhythms, but focused on improvisation as the primary value.
