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