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