Music during the 1920's
Music during the time of Rhapsody in Blue, the 1920’s, was mostly swung jazz and ragtime. This style of music was from the combined African and European influences, as well as, the introduction of metal instruments like the saxophone and trumpet. This music also influenced dance of the youth that seemed devilish or immoral to traditional adults. While groups performing jazz were more common, some daring soloists chose to play on their own after splitting with mainstream jazz groups.
George Gershwin - Lullaby (Original Piano Version). Perf. Alicia Zizzo. George Gershwin - Lullaby (Original Piano Version). Youtube, 18 Sept. 2009. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw-ArzPl0bg>.
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This song, "Lullaby" by George Gershwin, was a slow, bluesy song representing the slower songs of this time. This song in particular was based on a piano solo that changed style and tempo throughout but kept the same gentle, warm feeling.
Rhapsody in Blue also was based on a piano with many tempo changes, but we are currently playing the band arrangement that uses all colors of the group. |
Glimmer Of Dawn (1920). Perf. Rushforth Bell Orchestra. Glimmer Of Dawn (1920). Youtube, 28 July 2011. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ebRuC5msx4>.
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This song, "Glimmer of Dawn" by the Rushforth Bell Orchestra, is an example of the mixture of ragtime and classical styles to make a new genre of music. It incorporates parts that have either instrumental solos and other group harmonies and melodies.
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Main Jazz features included:
- Mixes of ragtime and classical, (use by George Gershwin)
- Musical solos where a lead musician would play a creative melody or tune while his group gave him a background
- Upbeat tempos influence dance
- Some slow blues to add character throughout a song
- Metal and string instruments struggling for melody or solos
- Pianos playing backgrounds, melodies, and solos
- Drum backgrounds with newly added cymbals to define upbeats
- Bass guitar background chords to support harmony and melody
During this time, solos and bands were competing for the most popularity; for example, Louis Armstrong broke with King Oliver's band to make a spotlight for himself. Also, traditionalists and Jazz artists were competing for popularity during these cultural changes. George Gershwin, the composer of "Rhapsody in Blue," mixed together classical and ragtime styles throughout "Rhapsody in Blue" to gather fans of both genres. "Rhapsody in Blue" also is originally suppose to be mostly a piano solo, but for our band uses a composition that features all parts of our band.
Work Cited
Work Cited
Tyle, Chris. "Jazz History: The Standards (1920s)." Jazz History: The Standards (1920s). ASCAP, n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. <http://www.jazzstandards.com/history/history-2.htm>.
Scaruffi, Piero. A History of Jazz Music, 1900-2000. United States: P. Scaruffi, 2007
Carter, Maria Agui, and Calvin A. Lindsay. "The Devil's Music: 1920s Jazz." PBS. PBS, n.d.
Web. 21 Nov. 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/cultureshock/beyond/jazz.html>.
Oxford University Press. "Jelly Roll Morton." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_morton_jelly_roll.htm>.
Oxford University Press. "Joe "King" Oliver." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_oliver_joe_king.htm>.
Armstrong 101. "Louis Armstrong." PBS. PBS, 2000. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_armstrong_louis.htm>.
Jazz at Lincoln Center. "Duke Ellington." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_ellington_duke.htm>.
Boland, Jesse. "10 Famous 1920s Musicians." 10 Famous 1920s Musicians. Jesse Boland, n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2013. <http://www.1920s-fashion-and-music.com/1920s-musicians.html>.
Youtube Videos
George Gershwin - Lullaby (Original Piano Version). Perf. Alicia Zizzo. George Gershwin - Lullaby (Original Piano Version). Youtube, 18 Sept. 2009. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw-ArzPl0bg>.
Glimmer Of Dawn (1920). Perf. Rushforth Bell Orchestra. Glimmer Of Dawn (1920). Youtube, 28 July 2011. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ebRuC5msx4>.
Tyle, Chris. "Jazz History: The Standards (1920s)." Jazz History: The Standards (1920s). ASCAP, n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. <http://www.jazzstandards.com/history/history-2.htm>.
Scaruffi, Piero. A History of Jazz Music, 1900-2000. United States: P. Scaruffi, 2007
Carter, Maria Agui, and Calvin A. Lindsay. "The Devil's Music: 1920s Jazz." PBS. PBS, n.d.
Web. 21 Nov. 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/cultureshock/beyond/jazz.html>.
Oxford University Press. "Jelly Roll Morton." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_morton_jelly_roll.htm>.
Oxford University Press. "Joe "King" Oliver." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_oliver_joe_king.htm>.
Armstrong 101. "Louis Armstrong." PBS. PBS, 2000. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_armstrong_louis.htm>.
Jazz at Lincoln Center. "Duke Ellington." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_ellington_duke.htm>.
Boland, Jesse. "10 Famous 1920s Musicians." 10 Famous 1920s Musicians. Jesse Boland, n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2013. <http://www.1920s-fashion-and-music.com/1920s-musicians.html>.
Youtube Videos
George Gershwin - Lullaby (Original Piano Version). Perf. Alicia Zizzo. George Gershwin - Lullaby (Original Piano Version). Youtube, 18 Sept. 2009. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw-ArzPl0bg>.
Glimmer Of Dawn (1920). Perf. Rushforth Bell Orchestra. Glimmer Of Dawn (1920). Youtube, 28 July 2011. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ebRuC5msx4>.