Chicago Jazz Philharmonic

2023 Jazz Academy

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Below are notes from class on Tuesday, 6/20 Brainstorm/Discussion, with teacher commentary in bold (shi-an costello). All student comments are in quotes.  All musical counter-examples are linked.

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Question: What are the differences between Jazz and classical?

 

• “Tempo is set vs. tempo is all over the place”

  • Jazz with tempo changes: Ornette Coleman's The Shape of Jazz to Come;

  • Classical with a set tempo: Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians

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• “ABA form vs. less form, follows narrative”

  • please explore "aria da capo form in opera"

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• “Swing 8ths vs. straight 8ths” 

  • Straight 8ths in Jazz: Girl from Ipanema and all bossa nova;

  • Swung 8ths in classical music: Beethoven Sonata op 111, mvm II. Arietta

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• “Less structure vs. more structure”

  • Jazz with structure: John Coltrane’s Giant Steps;

  • Classical with little structure: Terry Riley's In C

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• “American vs. European”

  • Non-American Jazz musicians: Chucho Valdés and Oscar Peterson;

  • Non-European Classical composers: Aaron Copland and Charles Ives

NB. This distinction is generally historically correct, but the boundaries of each genre have expanded beyond specific countries.

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• “Performer driven vs. composer driven”

  • Duke Ellington and other big band leaders functioned as the lead composer;

  • ALL classical composers were performing virtuosos until the 21st century

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• “Fluid, expansive, personal, free vs. rigid boundaries” 

  • For free boundaries, please hear Terry Riley's In C

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• “Less key signature vs. more key signature”

  • Most every Jazz standard has a key signature;

  • All classical music that is post-tonal has no key signature