Classical and Jazz Music

A distinctive rhythm, tone, beat, and harmony are elements by which we can tell a
certain type of art genre. This helps us comprehend a lot ofmany kinds of music. For
example, when we hear a quartet of four strings instruments, we (presume) the stillness of
the chamber music, which is a type of classical music. When we hear an ad lib
performance of a saxophone, the sound (alludes) us to thea bluesy feeling of jazz. Both
classical and jazz music are two of the most sophisticated art genres of music, but they
are different from each other in the view point of musical rule, who composes a song, and
requirements of the performers.
To begin with, I would like to mention the rule of classical music which is formal
and stringent. TheA pitch, speed, meter, and rhythm of classical music isare exactly
prepared before its performance, like a written language. Under the circumstances, there
is no room to deviate from the written score for performers of classical music. In
addition, a composer of classical music isn't be a performer of his song. To become a
composer of classical music requires a lot of expertise of music, such as how to organize
and arrange an ensemble, instrumentation, and understanding a musical interval between
two notes. In other words, before the performance, a composer finishes his job. Third, to
play classical music requires an accurate execution of the performance, in which one
needs proficiency in sight-reading, and an understanding of harmonic principles.
Practicing classical music needs perseverance and knowledge.
Next, on the other hand, the musical rule of jazz is flexible and ad hoc. All of the
notes in jazz music are not prepared before the performance, resembling a spoken
language. With a slight deviation from song's melody, a jazz musician begins to
improvise an alternative to the original which is not referred to on the score. Thus, there
is a leeway to interpret and transform a song in jazz misicmusic. Moreover, a composer
of jazz music can be a player inof his song. Since jazz musicians aim to coordinate the
improvisation, they compose the framework of a song by which they can control their
performances. As aThe writer is not only a composer but also performer, a jazz musician
(serves) his songs before and after the composition. Finally, to play jazz music one
requires proficiency in improvisation. Polyrhythms, syncopations, and call-and-response
are simultaneous events that are going on while playing jazz as an
inprovisationimprovisation.
To sum it all up, there are clear comparisons between classical and jazz music;
musical rule, who composes a song, and requirements of the performers. For me, I like to
listen to both types of music, depending on the situations. While I am writing a computer
program, a Bach's fugue fits for the situation. On the other hand, when I clean my room,
a Pat Metheney's guitar solo is comfortable.

Hiroshi –

I really liked this essay a lot! You chose two great genres of music to compare, and
because you were talking about one main subject (MUSIC) but different headings (JAZZ
and CLASSICAL) you were able to compare them in a simple, easy way. Because you
were dealing with music you can easily compare things like composition, rhythm, and
techniques because all genres of music have these elements, just done in a different way.
So, well done on the choice of topic!

I also really liked your example of written versus spoken language. I think that you could
expand that metaphor throughout the essay, it was an excellent comparison. Also, I
noticed that you tried to infuse some personal anecdotes into your essay, which was also
great.

Word choice and sentence structure needed a little re-working, but if you have any
questions about the revisions I made please feel free to ask.

Great job!

Jennifer