Is this Jazz ?

[buzzbeach]

Hi,

I've written this piece quite recently. I'm wondering if my stlye is starting to move towards Jazz. Would you consider this as Jazz ? Any comments on the track would also be much appreciated.

Willow

Thanks
Buzzbeach

P.S. Apologies in advance if it was inappropriate to post here in the first place ! I'm sure you will let me know.

[Paul B]

It hints of jazz, but I don't hear any real improvisation. Seems more like programme music, i.e. a film or TV score.

[chuckyd4]

If I had to pick a label I would go with something more along the lines of "atmospheric" - actually not as bad as I'd expected (based on past experience with people who drop in and post a track once).

Regardless of whether or not it's jazz, I would say it needs more fire, period. More contrast, dissonance, movement, etc. Someway to play on the idea of tension and release. The different melodies that crop up aren't bad, but I would go along with Paul in saying that it might work best as a soundtrack to something visual.

Maybe it would help to know what kind of a direction you're coming from, where you feel like you're coming to jazz from.


And if you find an increasing interest in jazz, I encourage you to stick around here and start contributing, discussing and learning from a lot of the great listeners present (and most of us have pretty broad interests in other kinds of music too!)

[clinthopson]

Being a smartass I say, if you can't recognize it as jazz, it ain't.

[graypencil]

I hear a fairly bland two chord modal vamp in 3/4 with some odd guitar samples thrown in here and there that basically seems to be going nowhere musically..

to my ear, it's basically "taint" ..

taint jazz ..

taint film music ..

taint new age ...

sorry to be harsh, but if you post examples on a music board, you should be aware of the level of excellence posters here are accustomed to ,and be prepared to take the heat.

if you really love music ( jazz or otherwise ), first , get some schooling in music theory and composition.

[Jazzooo]

Hi, Buzz--

Being a composer myself, I'll tell you that if it had been played live by a quartet, sure it would have been jazz. A bit dull, honestly, if you picture four guys making this music without any improvisation. Do you know what I mean?

But as it is, I'd call it jazzy and atmospheric. Most non-jazzplayers/programmers don't get a true swing feel, but you've come close.

[buzzbeach]

The world these days seems intent on labelling things. Many thanks indeed for your feedback which to me seems spot on. I think I agree with the description of "Atmospheric" with hints of Jazz.

Interesting point about where I am coming to this from which from a influence point is a huge mish mash of electronica / rock artists such as Cinematic Orchestra which are often described as Jazz hence my uncertainty.

More exciting though is the future. At the moment I am writing in isolation and recording parts individually. I am really looking forward to when I can play in a live situation and really explore what I have written.

Buzzbeach

[buzzbeach]

Hi,

Missed Jazzooo and Greypencil whilst posting. Thanks for your comments as well fellas. I'm encouraged by Jazooo's comments and graypencils comments in different sorts of ways. The constraints of what I am working with at the moment are pretty stiff, but happy to be taken seriously to see what the journey really looks like.

Buzzbeach

[graypencil]

Buzz:

Even though I let you have it pretty well earlier ( and I still feel the same about what I heard ), if you really DO love what you're doing, get some schooling and keep at it!

I'd love to hear some of your later efforts after more work and experience.

Good luck!

BTW: like Doug, I also am a composer of sorts. ( once I get my sorts happening, I plan to try some actual music )

[clinthopson]

Originally Posted by graypencil

BTW: like Doug, I also am a composer of sorts. ( once I get my sorts happening, I plan to try some actual music )

Phil, methinks thou doest modest too much.

[Beaglegirl]

Originally Posted by clinthopson

Phil, methinks thou doest modest too much.

Buzz:
Took a listen to your composition and I think that it has a jazz style influence but don't know if it would be considered "jazz". I certainly don't want to say strong words about whether anything is jazz or not. There is a lot of music out there that people label as jazz and there are a lot arguements about it. We could talk forever about what "jazz" is. It's too broad a term or even pigeon holing. But, whatever its definition, you should just write music you love and that's all one can do. Don't worry about it's classification. Good luck with your project.

[buzzbeach]

Beaglegirl,

Beaglegirl - I think i'm curious more than anything. The Jazz word crops up quite often when people describe quite a few of my songs. My Dad is a pretty good Tenor Sax player, I also buy/listen Jazz records (Bill Frisell, Nils Petter Molvaer recently) and feel that a modern Jazz line up would be ideal to explore what I write.

No problem greypencil. I'd rather people say as they see, but thanks for coming back with some encouragement. Appreciate it Thanks.

Buzz

[Mike Schwartz]

Originally Posted by graypencil

Buzz:

Even though I let you have it pretty well earlier ( and I still feel the same about what I heard ), if you really DO love what you're doing, get some schooling and keep at it!

I'd love to hear some of your later efforts after more work and experience.

Good luck!

BTW: like Doug, I also am a composer of sorts. ( once I get my sorts happening, I plan to try some actual music )

http://www.philkellymusic.com/

[buzzbeach]

Thanks Mike. It's starting to make sense.

[Jazzooo]

"Thanks Mike. It's starting to make sense."

What does that mean, Buzz? I hope you're not implying that Phil's opinion is somehow not valid. Just because he didn't tell you what you wanted to hear? Phil is a consummate pro who took the time to listen to your demo and actually give you a critique.

[John P. Cooper]

Originally Posted by Jazzooo

"Thanks Mike. It's starting to make sense."

What does that mean, Buzz? I hope you're not implying that Phil's opinion is somehow not valid. Just because he didn't tell you what you wanted to hear? Phil is a consummate pro who took the time to listen to your demo and actually give you a critique.

Perhaps he meant that he was getting the understanding of what jazz is? As in the mists are clearing?

[buzzbeach]

JPC- Thanks, your assessment was correct. I was in fact just making light (after visiting his website) that greypencil had taken time out to listen, critique and then come back with some encouragement. His and all the comments made on the thread have been taken and thanked for with good grace.

Best wishes
Buzz

[John P. Cooper]

Originally Posted by buzzbeach

JPC- Thanks, your assessment was correct. I was in fact just making light (after visiting his website) that greypencil had taken time out to listen, critique and then come back with some encouragement. His and all the comments made on the thread have been taken and thanked for with good grace.

Best wishes
Buzz

Thank you.

I'm quite perceptive

[Jazzooo]

ok, good to hear. It was the little icon that gave me the wrong impression.

[buzzbeach]

No problem

[scrotum boy]

accidental scrotal post.

[Hoppy T. Frog]

Originally Posted by scrotum boy

accidental scrotal post.

Eeeeeeeeeew