preview

What Is The Difference Between The Genres Of Jazz Music Vs Rock Music

Decent Essays

Megan Boyer

American Popular Music

CU MUS 115

24 Apr. 2016

Jazz vs. Rock: Focusing on the Differences in Instrumentation, Rhythm, and Difficulty

Jazz emerged in New Orleans around 1900. Largely admired by the black communities at first, Jazz attracted a more diverse audience as it spread. Years later, Rock surfaced and began to take over the world. Although rock was related to Jazz early on, it quickly veered off into its own direction specifically during the post-war era. Currently, commonalities exist between the two genres, however the differences in instrumentation, rhythm, and difficulty are the focal points that separate one from the other.

Jazz bands started with violin, guitar, string bass, and sometimes a wind instrument. …show more content…

Branching into its own genre, rock adopted hard hitting notes using electric guitars, drums, and bass with lyrics that for some became the defining aspect of rock music. The rhythm is known to be slower and more regular offering the audience a chance to dance. Elton John was a rock icon with lyrics that were understood and made you want to move. "Crocodile Rock" is a prime example of easily understood lyrics and a rhythm that made you dance: "...while the other kids were rocking round the clock, we were hopping and bopping to the crocodile rock." The strong pulse allowed even the most rhythmically challenged to follow along. Lastly, Rock is easier to play due to arranged music and a lack of collective improvisation. Rock doesn't require much concentration but rather encourages the audience to let go and have a good time.

To conclude, rock was closely related to jazz music in its start. As time went on, the movement to electric guitar, drums, and bass led rock on its own path. Even today, rock continues to dominate the world. Jazz has taken a seat in the background but still is alive in areas such as New Orleans. No matter the differences, music is needed to get us from one day to the next. Jazz and rock both have the power to motivate and inspire anybody it touches. As Louis Armstrong says, "If it wasn't for jazz, there never would have been rock 'n'

Get Access