Jazz Application Essay

Jazz      Jazz is a type of music developed by black Americans about 1900      and possessing an identifiable history and describable stylistic evolution. It is rooted in the mingled musical traditions of American blacks. More black musicians saw jazz for the first time a profession. Since its beginnings jazz has branched out into so many styles that no single description fits all of them with total accuracy. Performers of jazz improvise within the conventions of their chosen style.

Like almost every other 3rd grader in my elementary school, when the enrichment program came to talk about joining the orchestra and band, I was fascinated. I admired the kids, not much older than me, who could play their instruments flawlessly and effortlessly. Immediately I knew that orchestra was for me, and I rushed home with a paper in hand begging my mom to let me take lessons at my school. Originally, I wanted to play the cello and pleaded with my mom to let me play one; I loved the deep, rich sounds of the strings. Instead, my mom convinced me to play the violin, a less expensive instrument and much easier to carry around than a cello.

Although I initially chose to play percussion in middle school, I wanted to further experience all music had to offer. I chose to switch to tuba, what I viewed as possibly the complete opposite experience, after some encouragement from my band director. For many years, I did not change as drastically as I did in my early involvement with percussion. It wasn't until sophomore year of high school that I again recognised my passion. I started practicing every day, worked as hard as I could. This came to fruition the next year. I started playing in bands with other passionate people, who later became some of my best friends. I auditioned in the music competition, and made it to state. Never before had anything brought me so much joy, and pride. Music was an opportunity for putting in hard work that I enjoyed doing, and getting results from it. To make matters better, music, more than anything else I have found, promotes a community of mutual support and respect, as well as

music alike ( Windfield 240). A lot of musicians were involved, from Louis Armstrong to Duke Ellington. The Jazz movement affected United States history and the future music industry in a variety of ways.

In the first grade, I picked up a clarinet. It was my sister’s, collecting dust while waiting for me to play it. From the moment I produced my first sound, an ear-piercing squeal that frightened my dog, the path of my life took a turn for the better. I began teaching myself for the following three years, along with learning from my sister how to properly play the beautiful instrument. The music pushed me out of my comfort zone: concerts that forced me onstage, tests that made me play difficult songs, and teachers that pushed me to be an exceptional player. From the shy elementary school student I used to be to the outgoing band member I take joy in being today, music has shaped my everyday life.

I have always enjoyed music since I picked it up my first alto sax in the 6th grade. Of all the enjoyment music gave me and all its feelings it can create I could finally make some of my own. For the 7 years I have been playing in school it still remains a large part of my life. It gives me a great enjoyment to push myself everyday to do better. The dream of one day playing in a great college jazz ensemble propels me forward in my music because of the disadvantage of my school's jazz program. Playing saxophone in a classical and jazz context is what makes me a perfect fit for Sam Houston State University.

Also, the strength of the reed will vary with the tip opening and facing of the mouthpiece. Then I also learned about embouchure and about some problems you could have with your embouchure. I also learned about thing from tonguing to hand position. And throughout my journey to mastering the key elements of playing the clarinet I learned some tricks from the paper trick to buzzing. At first I had no clue what I was doing but with go teacher and instructors I learned with hard work and perseverance, at times it got frustrating but at the end of the day I grinned through it. Within a year I could play the clarinet with my eye closed and every single note off the top of my head. Now playing is a habit I don't think about embouchure or finger positioning. Playing music is the brain’s full-body workout. All brain imaging is done in a time scale of seconds, but the brain functions in the scale of milliseconds. Playing an instrument incorporates practically every area of the brain at once — especially the visual,

Some musicians are having trouble playing the clarinet correctly. This shows use that some musicians have little knowledge on, or about their clarinet before they try to play it. To sound best on a clarinet, clarinetists need to use the right reeds, get rid of any bad habits, and know the rights ways to play because playing the clarinet is a wonderful thing to do if played right.

I later took up band in seventh grade to get a sense of what music is. Intentionally, I wanted to play the alto-sax and hopefully learn to make great music with it, but it would cost me, so I chose a clarinet. The clarinet had an interesting sound similar to a sax and it was nice to know that I sounded better than Squidward Tentacles. The flute was another instrument that caught my eye, it looked like a recorder but looks and sounds relatively refined. But, I could never get the embouchure right to get that sweet flute sound, instead it sounded like blowing air into a tube, looking back, I probably wasn’t ready to play it

My success is not limited to just skill, but the potential I have to grow even further in my current passion. Music has been a part of my identity the moment I made a commitment to it. Without music, I would have never met the people I call my friends, challenge others to prove my skill as a musician and put others in their place when they deserved to be called out. I am proud to be a part of the program. I can’t leave out something vital about

On Christmas when I was eight, I watched my cousin play Jingle Bells on the clarinet. It wasn’t amazing- she had only started learning the instrument a couple months before the coveted performance-, but despite the mistakes and harsh tone, it convinced me to try the same instrument as soon as possible. Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait long: the next school year, a nearby

The first jazz was played in the early 20th century. The work chants and folk

When I started middle school I was so eager to pick up an instrument and make a sound. Unfortunately, to my despise, it wasn’t that easy. First, we had to actually learn the basics of music, like how to read music notes and rhythms. When we were finally allowed to take our

The earliest easily available jazz recordings are from the 1920's and early 1930's. Trumpet player and vocalist Louis Armstrong ("Pops", "Satchmo") was by far the most important figure of this period. He played with groups called the Hot Five and the Hot Seven; any recordings you can find of these groups are recommended. The style of these groups, and many others of the period, is often referred to as New Orleans jazz or Dixieland. It is characterized by collective improvisation, in which all performers simultaneously play improvised melodic lines within the harmonic structure of the tune. Louis, as a singer, is credited with the invention of scat, in which the vocalist makes up nonsense syllables to sing

Learning a musical instrument can be a worthwhile and fulfilling experience. It has a host benefits, including increasing various academic skills, improving confidence, aiding with stress relief, sharpening concentration, added social benefits, and it can also change lives. A great instrument to learn is the B♭ clarinet. It is easy to learn, yet difficult to master. One of the most basic skills to be able to play the clarinet includes assembling it.