My first post!

Hi, my name is Amelia Cole. This will be my first blog post for my class Music Appreciation. So far we have listened to the time periods Late 20th Century more popular music (1950's-present day), Early 20th Century like Jazz,  Romantic/Impressionistic/Nationalistic (1825-1900), Classical Period (1750-1825), Baroque Period (1600-1750), Renaissance (1450-1600), Medieval (900-1450), and Ancient Greek Roman music. My class has also gone into specific details of the elements of music. We have spoken about rhythm, melody, harmony, and texture. Texture also includes discussing the Monophonic or one sound, Polyphonic or multiple melodies at once, and homophonic which is the primary melody with a supporting background.

My favorite thing we listened to this year was the Jazz from the Early 20th century. I liked the Jazz portion the best because Jazz can be sad or happy. It always gives you a certain impression. I think that Jazz players have to have a lot of skill to make you feel that way by the way they play their instruments or sing. When I looked up the exact definition of jazz it said, "jazz is not the result of choosing a tune, but an ideal that is created first in the mind, inspired by ones passion and willed next in playing music." I feel like Jazz music is more of a language, sometimes it is intimate, and other times loud and wild, but it is always layered with experience and life. Did you know that Jazz is not written down in books and websites or even written down on sheet music?

Jazz was born out of African American communities in southern United States. There are also many variations of jazz including, dixieland, big-band swing, bebop, free jazz, Latin jazz fusions, Afro-cuban, acid jazz, hip-hop, and nu jazz. 

Jazz can be any kind of texture, it could have only a sax playing, or many playing at once. The instruments flowing together create a beautiful harmony and melody that you and I would love to either listen to when you are feeling tired, or happy, or anything between. The rhythm can vary throughout jazz music depending on what is being played.                                                                       

So far I have really enjoyed this class. I like learning all about music. Now when I hear a song on the radio I find myself actually looking for things like the rhythm, texture, melody, and harmony. I enjoy listening to many different variations of music now.