Year 6 – Jazz Topic

We’ve listened to the Blues, learned about chords and worked out how to make the chords needed for the 12-bar Blues, and we’ve composed our own Blues song. But Blues is only one type of Jazz music. Below is a (simple!) timeline of the history of Jazz showing when each new style emerged. Use Youtube (with your grown-up’s permission/supervision) to search for some of the artists/tracks below and listen to the different styles.

Questions to think about as you listen:

What instruments can you hear?

Is the texture (layers of sound) thick or thin?

Is the tempo fast or slow?

Is there a strong pulse and/or rhythm?

What is the mood of the music?

Compare two different styles – what are the similarities and differences?

What was your favourite Jazz style? Why?

Compare your answers with someone else in Y6 (via suitable social isolation methods!)

Jazz Music Timeline

1890s - 1910s RAGTIME e.g. Scott Joplin - The Entertainer or Maple Leaf Rag

1910s - 1920s BLUES e.g. Robert Johnson – Crossroad Blues or Sweet Home Chicago

1920s - 1930s DIXIELAND e.g. Original Dixieland Jazz Band – One Step or Tiger Rag

1930s - 1940s SWING/BIG BAND e.g. Glenn Miller – In the Mood or Julie London – Why Don’t You Do Right

1940s BEBOP e.g. Dizzy Gillespie – Atmosphere or Bebop

1940s COOL JAZZ e.g. Miles Davis – So What or Dave Brubeck – Take Five

1960s FREE JAZZ e.g. Ornette Coleman- Lonely Woman or John Coltrane – Giant Steps

Also check out the magnificent Ella Fitzgerald, Queen of Scat (a jazz style of singing using nonsense words and syllables). Have a listen to One Note Samba or It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing.

Happy listening! 