Glossary of Jazz Terms
The language used to talk about jazz can be just as complex and creative as the music itself. Expand your jazz vocabulary here, with a glossary of music terms and slang used within the jazz community.
Bad
The use of "bad" is an example of using a word to mean its opposite.
The use of "bad" is an example of using a word to mean its opposite.
Bebop
Bebop is a jazz style that was developed in the 1940s.
Bebop is a jazz style that was developed in the 1940s.
Blues
Blues is a style of music and a formal structure.
Blues is a style of music and a formal structure.
Bridge
The bridge is a middle section in a tune's form.
The bridge is a middle section in a tune's form.
Cat
"Cat" is an hip nickname for any jazz musician.
"Cat" is an hip nickname for any jazz musician.
Changes
"Changes" refers to the way chords move from one to another in a piece of music.
"Changes" refers to the way chords move from one to another in a piece of music.
Chorus
A chorus is a full cycle through the form of a tune.
A chorus is a full cycle through the form of a tune.
Comp
Comping is short for "accompanying."
Comping is short for "accompanying."
Cool Jazz
Cool Jazz was a subdued and cerebral offshoot of bebop.
Cool Jazz was a subdued and cerebral offshoot of bebop.
Form
The form is the internal structure of a piece of music.
The form is the internal structure of a piece of music.
Free Jazz
Free Jazz is a style developed in the 1950s and 60s that marked a distinct departure from tradition.
Free Jazz is a style developed in the 1950s and 60s that marked a distinct departure from tradition.
Glossary of Jazz Terms
Jazz in America is a site dedicated to jazz education. This links directly to its glossary of jazz terms.
Jazz in America is a site dedicated to jazz education. This links directly to its glossary of jazz terms.
Hard Bop
Hard Bop was a style based on bebop that drew from other types of African American music.
Hard Bop was a style based on bebop that drew from other types of African American music.
Harmolodics
Harmolodics is an approach coined by Ornette Coleman, and associated with avant-garde jazz.
Harmolodics is an approach coined by Ornette Coleman, and associated with avant-garde jazz.
Hot Jazz
Hot jazz was an early jazz style popularized by Louis Armstrong.
Hot jazz was an early jazz style popularized by Louis Armstrong.
Killin'
"killin'" is how musicians describe a particularly technically proficient artist.
"killin'" is how musicians describe a particularly technically proficient artist.
Ostinato
"Ostinato" is a term often used in music, but in Italian it means "stubborn."
"Ostinato" is a term often used in music, but in Italian it means "stubborn."
Piano Roll
The piano roll was an early form of music storage.
The piano roll was an early form of music storage.
Ragtime
Ragtime was a predecessor of early jazz styles, popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Ragtime was a predecessor of early jazz styles, popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Rent Party
Harlem rent parties helped elevate the importance of jazz in New York in the decades preceding World War II.
Harlem rent parties helped elevate the importance of jazz in New York in the decades preceding World War II.
Rhythm Section
The part of the ensemble that provides the pulse, beat, groove, and/or harmonic material of a tune.
The part of the ensemble that provides the pulse, beat, groove, and/or harmonic material of a tune.
Scat Singing
Scat singing is a style of vocal jazz.
Scat singing is a style of vocal jazz.
Stride
Stride is a style of piano jazz that originated in Harlem, New York during World War I.
Stride is a style of piano jazz that originated in Harlem, New York during World War I.
Swing
"Swing" refers to a style of jazz, a certain rhythmic quality, and an inexplicable quality of good music.
"Swing" refers to a style of jazz, a certain rhythmic quality, and an inexplicable quality of good music.
The Head
The head is the composed portion of the jazz performance.
The head is the composed portion of the jazz performance.
Vocal Jazz
Vocal jazz stems from the oral tradition of the blues.
Vocal jazz stems from the oral tradition of the blues.