Jazz is one of America’s true original musical creations. It first originated around the end of the 1800s and the beginning of the 1900s. But Jazz really started to take hold around 1920. From then on, up to the modern day, it has evolved and will continue to evolve.
Jazz emerged from the fusion of African and European musical elements. An example of what was taken from African styles is the call-and-response pattern. Another is the improvisation that African music often entails.
The European styles contributed to the rhythmic structure and instruments.
Jazz Styles
Some different styles of jazz are:
- Bebop: This style of jazz is complex and unpredictable. It’s not meant to be danced to and is meant to stretch skill and expression to their limits.
- Cool Jazz: Calmer and smoother jazz. This style doesn’t focus so much on technical, complex skills as on emotion. It’s more relaxed and was one of the most popular jazz styles back in the 1950s.
- Avante-Garde and Free Jazz: These styles were very experimental. They heavily focused on improvisation and nontraditional sounds and rhythms.
- Latin Jazz: This style of jazz emerged from the integration of Latin American rhythms and melodies.
- Jazz Fusion: This style emerged by fusing elements of rock and funk with jazz. This was also done using electric instruments.
Where can I Go With This Degree?
It’s good to both recognize the importance of pursuing what you want to do and be aware of the opportunities available to you. That way, you can make an informed choice.
For Jazz Studies, the available careers will likely be similar to the careers you could have with a different music degree. It’s also common with careers regarding music to be very competitive.
Here are some career areas that link directly to Jazz Studies (and other music degrees):
- Composer: Create music, whether for movies, shows, live performances, commercials, and much more.
- Music Director: Lead the music in performances, such as in choirs and orchestras. Choose the music and the performers.
- Choreographer: Coordinate and create dances. The goal is to express a story through the dance steps you create with the chosen music. You choose the dancers and music.
- Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technician: Set up, prepare, and operate equipment for events such as concerts or other programs. You can help record music and edit it on computers. There’s a lot that needs to be done in these jobs, and what specific tasks you’re given can depend on who you work for.
- Singer: Sing for performances or for recording songs. In this case, you can specialize in jazz singing.
- Musician: Play for performances or for recording songs. Once again, in this case, you can specialize in jazz playing.
- Music teacher: Teach students music, whether as a schoolteacher or a private teacher. Teach instrument playing, history, or music theory (depending on the kind of teacher you are).
Final Thoughts
Keep in mind that for some musical positions, you may have to go to grad school. Be aware that it will take a few more years of schooling and will be expensive.
There are other careers available to music majors. If you want to work in areas not as connected to music, there are ways to career pivot with the skills that this degree gives you. But remember, it’s not as flexible as other degrees could be.
If you’re willing to put in the effort, you will be a professional in this degree. As you network and work hard, you will find the jobs that suit you. Apply for the music program and excel in Jazz Studies!
Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Broadcast, Sound, and Video Technicians.
Berklee College of Music: Careers in Composition
BYU School of Music: Charts - Interpretation.
The Jazz Foundation: History of Jazz.
PBS Learning Media: Why Don’t Classical Musicians Improvise?.
EBSC: “Jazz”.
The Evolution of Improvisation in Early Jazz Piano Pedagogy
5 Reasons Why Sight Reading Music Makes You a Better Jazz Musician..
Developing Musicality: Applying Scales vs. Applying Language.
This Is Probably the Most Useful Scale in Jazz Improvisation..
Von Baron Music: How to Trade Fours in Jazz Drumming Made Easy.
How to Play Drums with Brushes: Jazz Brush Drumming.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Careers for Music Lovers