RC1

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RC1

by Jassica » Fri May 15, 2015 1:09 pm
The immigration of Europeans and the importation of West African slaves to America resulted in a convergence of cultures, traditions, and art forms, including music. Jazz, first played in New Orleans in the early 1900s, borrowed heavily from the European musical scale and harmonic system. Jazz ensembles were built predominantly on European instruments, such as the trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and piano. The West African influence on jazz was manifested primarily in its performance. Scatting, a technique used by jazz vocalists to mimic the sounds of instruments, had its origin in West African vocal traditions. The emphasis on improvisation in jazz music, in addition to group participation, also came from West African music.
Some musicologists argue that jazz is a purely American form of music. Others, however, contend that jazz is rooted in a history similar to that of America itself, a history of confluence. Proponents of the argument that jazz is purely American often point to its genesis in New Orleans as evidence for this perspective. The irony, however, is that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots. To deny the rich and complex history of jazz, and the true origins of the art form, is to deny the very aspects of the art form that make it undeniably American.

Which of the following elements of jazz most likely has its origin in West African musical traditions?
1. the emphasis on a tonal harmonic structure
2. the use of an instrument to mimic a vocalist's sound
3. the use of traditional African instruments
4. the use of many instruments in a jazz ensemble

5. an impromptu call-and-response between two instruments in the ensemble
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by binit » Fri May 15, 2015 10:28 pm
Hi,
IMO A is the correct answer.
Although I didn't get the meaning of a tonal harmonic structure. We can eliminate B,C,D,E.
From passage we know "The West African influence on jazz was manifested primarily in its performance. Scatting, a technique used by jazz vocalists to mimic the sounds of instruments, had its origin in West African vocal traditions."

2. the use of an instrument to mimic a vocalist's sound - this says just opposite to expectation
3. the use of traditional African instruments - Not supported
4. the use of many instruments in a jazz ensemble - Not supported
5. an impromptu call-and-response between two instruments in the ensemble No mention of vocal technique.
IMO A is the clear winner.

~Binit.

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by piyush2626 » Sun May 24, 2015 5:32 am
5 SHOULD BE THE ANSWER

IT REPRESENTS ASPECTS OF 'improvisation in jazz music, in addition to group participation'

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by arjun2319 » Sat Jun 27, 2015 10:32 am
what is the answer

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by mattnyc15 » Sun Sep 13, 2015 6:54 am
5 Is the answer.

The West African influence on jazz was manifested primarily in its performance. Scatting, a technique used by jazz vocalists to mimic the sounds of instruments, had its origin in West African vocal traditions. The emphasis on improvisation in jazz music, in addition to group participation, also came from West African music.

1. the emphasis on a tonal harmonic structure

European influence: borrowed heavily from the European musical scale and harmonic system.

(Not from African Influence)

2. the use of an instrument to mimic a vocalist's sound

(Opposite, vocalists mimic instruments in scatting)

3. the use of traditional African instruments

(Does not mention traditional African Instruments)

4. the use of many instruments in a jazz ensemble

Jazz ensembles were built predominantly on European instruments
(This is more of the European influence. )

5. an impromptu call-and-response between two instruments in the ensemble

CORRECT. This is based on the performance. The article clearly states: The West African influence on jazz was manifested primarily in its performance.

Moreover, this is an example of group participation: in addition to group participation, also came from West African music. [/b]