Many of the Distinguishing Features of Jazz Come from African American Folk Music

African American folk music is one of the primary sources of jazz. Many of the distinctive features of jazz come from the music of the African American community. From the soulful sounds of the blues to the syncopated rhythms of ragtime, African American music has had a profound influence on jazz.

Origins of Jazz in African American Folk Music

Jazz is a musical style that was created by African Americans in the early 20th century. It is a blend of African and European musical traditions. African American folk music was the primary influence on the development of jazz. The blues, spirituals, work songs, and field hollers were all important elements of early jazz.

Rhythmic Features

The rhythmic features of jazz are some of the most important distinguishing features that set it apart from other genres of music. Many of these features can be traced back to African American folk music, which was brought over by slaves during the colonization of America.

One of the most important rhythmic features of jazz is syncopation, which is the off-beat accenting of certain notes. This was a common feature in African American folk music, and it helped to create a more complex and interesting sound. Another important feature is the use of swung notes, or notes that are played with a slightly longer duration than straight notes. This gives jazz its characteristic ‘loping’ sound and helps to create a sense of forward motion.

The use of polyrhythms is another feature that can be traced back to African American folk music. Polyrhythms are two or more conflicting rhythms being played at the same time, often in different parts of the band. This can create a very exciting and driving sound, which is perfect for dancing.

Jazz also makes use of call and response, which is a technique where one part (the call) is answered by another (the response). This was often used in African American folk music as a way for different percussion instruments to communicate with each other. It also helps to create a sense of community and togetherness within the band.

Melodic Features

Many of the melodic features that are distinguishing characteristics of jazz can be traced back to African American folk music. One such feature is the use of blue notes. Blue notes are notes that are sung or played at a slightly lower pitch than the major scale, giving the music a sadder sound. This use of blue notes is thought to have originated with slaves who were not allowed to sing in their native languages and instead sang in a made-up language that used words from various African languages. This made-up language often included words that had no specific meaning, but were instead used to express emotions. Another melodic characteristic of jazz that can be traced back to African American folk music is call-and-response singing. This is where one person sings a phrase and then another person responds with another phrase, often imitating the first phrase. This type of singing was commonly used in work songs and spirituals sung by slaves.

Harmonic Features

More so than any other music, jazz is defined by its harmonic structure, or the way chords are put together. In tonal music such as classical and folk, the relationships between the notes of a chord are usually based on thirds (two notes separated by two scale steps, as in C-E-G or G-B-D), with other notes occasionally thrown in for flavor. In jazz, on the other hand, it’s not unusual to find chords built on fourths or even fifths (as in C-F-G or G-C-D), resulting in a much more open, “spacious” sound. This fourth- and fifth-based harmony also helps give jazz its characteristic “swinging” feeling.

The Impact of African American Folk Music on Jazz

There are many features that distinguish jazz from other genres of music, and many of these features can be traced back to African American folk music. This music was created by slaves who were brought over from Africa, and it was heavily influenced by the music of their homeland. African American folk music is a key part of the history of jazz, and it has had a profound impact on the development of this genre.

The Impact of African American Folk Music on Early Jazz

African American folk music was a significant influence on the development of early jazz. Many of the distinguishing features of jazz come from African American folk music, including the use of blue notes, polyrhythms, and call and response. African American folk music was also an important source of inspiration for jazz musicians, helping to shape the creative vision of early jazz.

The Impact of African American Folk Music on Later Jazz

African American folk music, also known as Negro Folksongs, was a major influence on the development of jazz. Many of the distinguishing features of jazz come from African American folk music, including the call-and-response pattern, the use of blue notes, and the use of syncopation. African American folk music was also an important influence on other genres of music, such as blues and gospel.