Selasa, 21 Februari 2012

Week 5:Feb 13 - Feb 17

Dates: Tuesday, 14 February 2012
          Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Theory Class
Topic: Blues
Reflection Question: How is my understanding of Blues and applying 12 bars Blues?

I still do not really understand the difference between Blues and Jazz. I also do not understand why we were learning the history and background of Jazz but we are expected to make an improvisation of Blues now. I still do not know how to improvise though, so I have a difficulty in making the 12 bars Blues. I also think that one does not simply learn jazz improvisation in only a couple of weeks.

Instrument Class
Topic: 12 bars Blues improvisation

During instrument class, we were given time to practice our 12 bars blues improvisation. We also helped each other during this process.

Week 4 : Feb 6 - Feb 10 2012

Dates: Tuesday, 7 February 2012
          Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Theory Class
Topic: Assessment Tasks
Reflection Question: How do you understand the learning of jazz through your assessment tasks done until now?

I understand a lot more about Jazz after doing the 3 assessments I have done so far which is the 2 essays on Jazz and singing the Jazz song "What a A Wonderful World". Now that I have sang a jazz song myself, I understand more about jazz. And even though my assessment did not go so well, I still find some benefits in singing this song.

Instrument Class
Mr. John was absent.             

Kamis, 09 Februari 2012

Week 3: Jan 30 - Feb 3 2012

Dates: Tuesday, 31/01/2012
           Wednesday, 1/02/2012

Theory Class   
Topic: Deeper Analysis of Jazz
Reflection Question: How did I do my essay and how did it affect me when learning and applying jazz?

Because I did an assignment on Jazz last year, I just needed to take my old assignment and paraphrase  its history part. It affects me by reminding me that jazz is the only type of music where we can really express ourselves as freely as possible.

Instrument Class
Topic: "All of Me"

Mr. John taught us the chords of the jazz song "All of Me:. We played the chords together however I am a little bit confused because the chords are a little bit different from the chords Mr. Herry gave us.

Week 2: Jan 23 - Jan 27 2012

Dates: Tuesday, 24/01/2012
          Wednesday, 25/01/2012

Theory Class    
Topic: The Roots of Jazz
Reflection Question: How is my progress in learning the roots of jazz?

I am amazed when I found out that the African-Americans are the one who invented jazz especially since they were under slavery at that moment. I learned that the chords used in jazz are usually the 7th chords usch as C7, G7, Cmaj7,Dm7 and many more. I am familiar enough with most of them already, however, I still need to learn more 7th chords.

Instrument Class
Mr. John was absent this week so we didn't really learn anything new.

Week 1: Jan 16 - Jan 20 2012

Dates: Tuesday, 17/01/2012
          Wednesday, 18/01/2012

Theory Class            
Topic: Introduction of Jazz
Reflection Question: How do you find the topic of jazz and how did the teacher do it?

My first impression of jazz is that it is hard because we have to improvise in the middle of the song. This is proven difficult because the musicians have to be able to play by ear and therefore have to familiarize themselves with all of the notes of the key of the song in their heads. This means, jazz musicians cannot play by knowledge alone, they also need skill and talent. So this is why I think jazz is hard.
The music teachers however have put together a very good and inspiring performance of the song Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma.

Instrument Class
Topic: "When the Saints are Marching In"

Mr. Herry told us to learn the melody of the jazz song "When the Saints are Marching In" so Mr. John taught it to us. I am inspired especially by Dhanes because he is very good at playing by ear even though he is not able to read musical notes.