| Different styles of music have different "sounds." We | | | | saying that this can'thappen in Jazz, but, just watch a |
| canall pretty much agree on that point. For example, | | | | Jazz performer and you'll seewhat I mean. |
| Jazz usesseventh chords almost exclusively. This, and | | | | Last but not least is rhythm. Let's do a comparison |
| the kind of chordprogressions used in Jazz gives it its | | | | contrastbetween Jazz and New Age music. Jazz has |
| unique flavor. But whatabout new age music? Does it | | | | a definite discerniblerhythm. It is what makes Jazz |
| have it's own special ingredients? | | | | Jazz. New age music can have apattern or an |
| Yes it does. | | | | underlying rhythm to the music. It can be used tocreate |
| Now, there are no hard and fast rules here but for the | | | | trance like states in the listener. Drums are usuallya |
| mostpart, new age music is a consonant music. That | | | | part of Jazz music. Percussion is mostly absent from |
| is, there islittle or noharshness going on in the music. No | | | | the New |
| Saxes wailingand what not. Having said that we can | | | | Age sound simply because it would not add to the |
| eliminate most of thetense jazz chords and their | | | | atmosphere most New Age musicians create. Timing |
| voicing. So what are we left with? | | | | is very important to the Jazz musician. The soloist has |
| Mostly Major and minor chords based on the regular | | | | the freedom to play whatever he wants as long as he |
| scales andthe modes. The chord progressions are | | | | maintains the meter and stays in time. New Age music |
| simpler and usually starton the l chord. No ll-V-l | | | | is more elastic in that timing is there, but is not a |
| progressions here. | | | | master of the player. The New Age player can |
| What about melody? In jazz, we have a soloist who | | | | disregard time altogether. |
| usually playsa lot of chromatic notes. This is rare in | | | | Just listen to Zen flute music as a good example of |
| new age music becauseit would create dissonance. | | | | this. |
| New age melodies tend to be softerand more on the | | | | Now, what does all this mean for the aspiring New |
| spiritual side. Solos, if there are any, are notso much | | | | Age musician? A couple of good things. It means that |
| concerned with the expression of the self than they | | | | there is a definite new age |
| arewith letting the music express itself. A subtle but | | | | "sound" out there. That it is here to stay and that |
| very importantdistinction. Jazz players may have some | | | | people likeand need to hear it. And it means that there |
| ego invested in theirperformance. New age musicians | | | | are some guidelinesout there for what defines the |
| learn to let the music play them. | | | | meaning of New Age music. |
| They learn to become a channel for the music itself | | | | Article written by Edward Weiss. |
| allowing itto speak through them. Of course, I'm not | | | | |