Listening to any music style evokes an impulse of chanting, in solo at least. Listening is closely knit with learning and in the case of jazz, which allows a great degree of free improvisation, listening is especially instigative for the music lovers soul.
When you listen to jazz music, you find yourself in a musical environment that is inviting to participate. Currently, CDs and DVDs are in vogue, so listening is mistakenly meant to imply using these means only.
But when you are asked to listen to jazz music, perhaps the best option is a live performance. What makes it so effective in imparting a lasting impression is the direct communication of vigor of the performer. You have a unique experience of seeing, hearing, and feeling the real thing.
Active Listening in Jazz
Active listening involves focusing your conscious mind to the individual musical elements of a performance. In listening to jazz, this specifically applies as you narrow you attention frame on swing and articulation of the piece, and the effects the performer from his own improvising. Selectively, you can tune to the actual note being played or the rhythm employed. Ultimately, you can transcribe, or write down, the jazz piece being played.
Passive Listening in Jazz music
Passive listening does not involve concentrating on specific elements of the performance. It plays only in the background of your attention while you are busy cleaning your house, exercising or preparing documents for a presentation. Generally, it can be called the subconscious mode of listening. Many people are addicted to passive listening of music at bedtime.
While it may appear inferior to active listening, in jazz the situation is rather different. Since the spontaneity in jazz performance is subconscious, when you listen to jazz music on this level, you have a more direct connection with the energies of the performer. Passive listening assumes significance in mastering phrasing, style, and musical form.
Listen to Jazz music in Historical Context
A very helpful and effective practice in learning through listening is playing jazz records according to date and style from the earliest you have to modern and listening both actively and passively. This gives you not only a diversity to play in different styles (bop, swing or free) but provides you with a choice to select the style and mode that best suits your own taste.
Working with Jazz Players
Perhaps the best means to ensure your command of jazz is to listen to jazz music played by good performers as you work with them. The experience is unique since you witness the entire person involved in creating the performance. Its effect is lasting and you can easily observe the changes each performer makes while playing the same piece again and again.
