Advisor
Dahlke, Andrew
Advisor
Hall, James
Committee Member
Applegate, Erik
Department
Music
Institution
University of Northern Colorado
Type of Resources
Text
Place of Publication
Greeley (Colo.)
Publisher
University of Northern Colorado
Date Created
5-20-2016
Genre
Thesis
Extent
136 pages
Digital Origin
Born digital
Abstract
Rhythm is largely noted as a defining characteristic of jazz, yet as jazz education has gained a more prominent role in higher education, course time and materials dedicated to rhythmic training remain scarce. As previous research has demonstrated, there is an abundance of resources and methods that emphasize harmonic elements, focusing largely on chord/scale relationships; this prevalence of materials dedicated to harmony only serves to highlight the paucity of resources related to rhythm. This study seeks to develop exercises that can supplement harmonic exercises and concepts to aid educators and performers in gaining a broader understanding of rhythm, while bolstering a performer’s rhythmic vocabulary. This is accomplished by analyzing rhythmic characteristics of West African ensemble music, the influence this music had on the development of jazz, and how the rhythmic characteristics have been manifested in modern jazz. West African ensemble music was selected because of its noted correlation on the development of jazz, as well as for the practicality the characteristics have on applying to jazz and improvised music. From this analysis, exercises were developed that can be included in classroom or applied instruction.
Degree type
D.A.
Degree Name
Doctoral
Language
English
Local Identifiers
Rodesch_unco_0161D_10483.pdf
Rights Statement
Copyright is held by the author.
