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The Culture of Jazz Aesthetics Anthropology M142R Instructors: Profs. Kenny Burrell and Alessandro Duranti Spring 2006 / Tuesday 11-2PM / SMB 1343 [Updated April 25, 2006, 7pm] Second Assignment Improvising and talking about it By this point in the course, you have had a chance to observe different combinations of musicians perform jazz music, describe their expertise in this art form, and discuss their views about what makes jazz special to them. You have also read what some jazz scholars have to say about improvisation and the interaction among musicians while performing. Using your notes and observations from the class meetings so far, briefly discuss the notion(s) in the readings that better help(s) you make sense of the interaction among the musicians while playing together. For example, you could use the notion of "Group Flow" introduced by Sawyer or the notion of "contextualization cue" (by John Gumperz) introduced by Ingrid Monson (1996:21-2), or the notion of "grooving as an aesthetic ideal" also by Monson. These are just a few examples of the many possible ones. Whatever you choose make sure that you clarify your source with appropriate citation(s). This assignment is due (double spaced) at the beginning of class next week. There is no minimum or maximum number of words (but 200 are probably not enough and 2000 are probably too many). But remember that (1) what you write has to be based on what you observed in class and (2) you need to make clear which author and concept(s) you are using. In addition, try to be (a) concise rather than verbose (avoid fancy introductions, go straight to the point), (b) analytical (i.e. use and show your ability to identify patterns or types). Make sure to include YOUR NAME and MAJOR at the top of each typed page. |