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+--- Thread: Is Gymnopedie No.1 considered jazz? (/showthread.php?tid=11261)
Is Gymnopedie No.1 considered jazz? - Blanche_Minim - 04-08-2014
I am auditioning for Jazz piano at York University. I have prepared Autumn Leaves and Gymnopédie No. 1 as my two contrasting pieces. I'm just wondering if Gymnopédie is considered jazz. It does use Major 7ths and quartal chords.
Is Gymnopedie No.1 considered jazz? - jazzboCR - 04-08-2014
The music elements you mentioned have severe sway, but they are not THE defining elements of what's jazz. The defining element is the player--the attitude, the sensibility, the technique and technical facility (how's your left hand doing boogie-woogie?), in some cases the track record. Don't mean to play this off but you've read books no doubt, that try to get to the root of that question--What is jazz? Here's that piece played by a serious player and lifted from a comp album of all solid players all doing...jazz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bsDENXBFvw
All the best and when your career gets rockin', consider touring/ living in Tampa Bay >>SW Florida--we'd love to have you. And you came to the right Board for answers...
Is Gymnopedie No.1 considered jazz? - Semitone - 28-09-2014
In a word: no. There is a strong consensus that it is classical (specifically neoclassical) and it is included in compilations of classical greats.
There may be dissonant chords involved in it but dissonance has been a part of classical music since at least the Tristan chord and I don't believe dissonance makes a piece jazzy any more than sonant harmony makes a piece sound classical.
Is Gymnopedie No.1 considered jazz? - jazzboCR - 28-09-2014
Semitone Wrote:In a word: no. There is a strong consensus that it is classical (specifically neoclassical) and it is included in compilations of classical greats.
There may be dissonant chords involved in it but dissonance has been a part of classical music since at least the Tristan chord and I don't believe dissonance makes a piece jazzy any more than sonant harmony makes a piece sound classical.
Basic questions: Was it written to be jazz? No. Does that matter at all? Also no. Is it an appropriate piece in either a Classical or Jazz audition? Hell yes. See my 1st post; then let's talk. Technicalities can get in the way of broad musical thinking and, more importantly, feeling. Pedantic enough, I think.
Is Gymnopedie No.1 considered jazz? - Semitone - 30-09-2014
Easy, now. You never asked if it was appropriate for that kind of audition in your first post. Rejecting technicalities narrows your musical thinking as it gives fewer points of reference. It was not intended as jazz, the word "jazz" hadn't even gained currency. Your question begs the question on what jazz is and that cannot be answered adequately without a degree of pedantry.
Is Gymnopedie No.1 considered jazz? - jazzboCR - 01-10-2014
Your views can hold sway, unfettered; I'm finished with this convo.