Assignment 5

1. Describe Jazz music. Where did it come from, and what makes it particularly unique to Americans?
    A type of popular music originating (esp. in ragtime and blues) among African Americans in the southern United States, typically performed by ensembles and broadly characterized by regular forceful rhythms, syncopated phrasing, modifications to traditional instrumental tone and pitch (such as the use of blue notes), and improvisatory soloing (Oxford English Dictionary).  Jazz originated in New Orleans, Louisiana at the turn of the 20th century.  Jazz music is unique to Americans because it takes parts from other styles of music like Big Band music and incorporate it into their own style.  One of the most famous Jazz performers is Louis Armstrong with songs like "What A Wonderful World."


2. In Peter and the Wolf, what instruments play Peter, the duck, the wolf, the bird, Grandfather and the Hunters?
    Peter: Stringed Instruments
    The Duck: Oboe
    The Wolf: Three Horns
    The Bird: Flute
    Grandfather: Bassoon
    The Hunters: Woodwinds
    The Cat: Clarinet


3. Discuss Classical music. Who are some of the composers that are considered classical musicians?
    Classical music came from the Classical period around 1750 to 1820.  During this time the piano became on of the predominate instruments used.  Composers like Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven established norms of composition, presentation, and style.  They also liked to have a complex relationship between the emotional content and the intellectual meaning.