| Different styles of music have different "sounds." We | | | | and you'll see what I mean.Last but not least is rhythm. |
| can all pretty much agree on that point. For example, | | | | Let's do a comparison/contrast between Jazz and |
| Jazz uses seventh chords almost exclusively. This, and | | | | New Age music. Jazz has a definite discernible rhythm. |
| the kind of chord progressions used in Jazz gives it its | | | | It is what makes Jazz Jazz. New age music can have |
| unique flavor. But what about new age music? Does it | | | | a pattern or an underlying rhythm to the music. It can |
| have it's own special ingredients? Yes it does.Now, | | | | be used to create trance like states in the listener. |
| there are no hard and fast rules here but for the most | | | | Drums are usually a part of Jazz music. Percussion is |
| part, new age music is a consonant music. That is, | | | | mostly absent from the New Age sound simply |
| there is little or noharshness going on in the music. No | | | | because it would not add to the atmosphere most |
| Saxes wailing and what not. Having said that we can | | | | New Age musicians create. Timing is very important to |
| eliminate most of the tense jazz chords and their | | | | the Jazz musician. The soloist has the freedom to play |
| voicing. So what are we left with? Mostly Major and | | | | whatever he wants as long as he maintains the meter |
| minor chords based on the regular scales and the | | | | and stays in time. New Age music is more elastic in |
| modes. The chord progressions are simpler and usually | | | | that timing is there, but is not a master of the player. |
| start on the l chord. No ll-V-l progressions here.What | | | | The New Age player can disregard time altogether. |
| about melody? In jazz, we have a soloist who usually | | | | Just listen to Zen flute music as a good example of |
| plays a lot of chromatic notes. This is rare in new age | | | | this.Now, what does all this mean for the aspiring New |
| music because it would create dissonance. New age | | | | Age musician? A couple of good things. It means that |
| melodies tend to be softer and more on the spiritual | | | | there is a definite new age "sound" out there. That it is |
| side. Solos, if there are any, are not so much | | | | here to stay and that people like and need to hear it. |
| concerned with the expression of the self than they | | | | And it means that there are some guidelines out there |
| are with letting the music express itself. A subtle but | | | | for what defines the meaning of New Age |
| very important distinction. Jazz players may have | | | | music.Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and |
| some ego invested in their performance. New age | | | | webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano |
| musicians learn to let the music play them. They learn | | | | lessons. He has been helping students learn how to |
| to become a channel for the music itself allowing it to | | | | play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and |
| speak through them. Of course, I'm not saying that this | | | | works with students in private, in groups, and now over |
| can't happen in Jazz, but, just watch a Jazz performer | | | | the internet. Stop by now at for a FREE piano lesson! |
