Four Simple Steps to Enjoying Jazz Online

April 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

As a jazz enthusiast, you probably hate listening to the typical selection of songs in most radio stations. Fortunately, you can already listen to jazz online to make sure that you won’t go to other radio stations that play songs that don’t exactly qualify as jazz music. As long as you have a laptop or desktop computer and a stable internet connection, you can make the most of radio stations that offer online streaming for jazz music.

Here are some steps that will help you enjoy every minute you spend listening to jazz online.

 

Ever dreamed of enjoying a jazz concert at home? Online radio stations that play jazz music exclusively might be just what you need. Image courtesy of Flickr.

Ever dreamed of enjoying a jazz concert at home? Online radio stations that play jazz music exclusively might be just what you need. Image courtesy of Flickr.

 

Look for Jazz Radio Stations

Before you can listen to jazz online, you’ll need to look for an online toolbar that allows users to browse through several radio stations. Next, choose prospective stations that play bebop, blues, fusion and other sub-genres of jazz music. Most of these toolbars also have a default list of recommended radio stations, thus narrowing down your options. You can also use the search engine to find a range of jazz programs to choose from.

Check Your Sound Options

To enjoy jazz online, you have to double-check your computer’s sound options. Are its speakers of superior quality, or do you still need to connect your computer to separate audio equipment? Check audio balance through options that allow you to configure various elements such as treble, equalizer and bass. Make sure that the speakers are loud enough so that you can listen to jazz online without any problems.

Learn More about Radio Stations

When you listen to jazz online, you’ll be confronted with several radio stations that claim to play a wide selection of jazz music. However, you can’t really expect yourself to like all their programs immediately. The only way to solve this problem is to become more familiar with the program schedules of the radio stations you like most. This way, you won’t have to listen to any song that doesn’t exactly appeal to your taste.

Listen to Jazz Music Critically

If you’re new to this genre, you’ll need to listen to songs more critically in order to appreciate its beauty. Listen for melodies, harmonic variations, mood and other elements that you won’t really find in other genres of music. When listening to jazz online, you should also try determining which instruments are dominant, follow their thread and observe how the other instruments follow a similar theme.

Listening to jazz online is probably the most convenient way to explore this ever-popular genre. Regardless of which sub-genres you like most, there will always be an internet radio station that caters to your musical preferences.

Filed Under: Jazz Radio, Online Jazz

Listening to Jazz Online: Top 3 Jazz Radio Stations

March 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The diverse cultural and sociopolitical background of the 20th century gave birth to jazz, a musical form of art that aims to express the thoughts and feelings of talented musicians. It is a wonderful medley of syncopation, poly rhythms, blue notes and improvisations that vary in terms of style. It also combines Western and African-American musical theories and techniques, which add to its already-distinct sound.

If you’re a huge fan of jazz music, a big chunk of your hard drive is probably devoted to your favorite jazz musicians. If you want to enjoy jazz songs from different eras, you should probably listen to an internet jazz radio station instead of relying on your limited music collection. Here are some of the best jazz stations that are worth looking into.

 

Through jazz radio stations online, you can finally listen to all your favorite artists anytime you want. Image courtesy of Flickr.com.

Through jazz radio stations online, you can finally listen to all your favorite artists anytime you want. Image courtesy of Flickr.com.

 

 

Smoothjazz.com

While looking for the best jazz radio online, you’ll probably stumble upon smoothjazz.com. This website is devoted to popular jazz songs by old and new artists. It also has a chart for indie artists, thus giving you the chance to explore other sub-genres that you won’t find in mainstream media. Those who love watching jazz concerts can also browse through its page for upcoming performances in town.

Sky.fm

Sky.fm, another jazz radio station that is dedicated to people who love listening to this genre of music, is also one of the best websites that you could visit. It has separate channels for upbeat and slow jazz songs, so you’ll easily find exclusive jazz radio programs that appeal to your taste. Jimi King, the station’s resident jazz king, also broadcasts a live program from his studio every Sunday.

Arrow Jazz FM

Arrow jazz FM is another website that you can visit while looking for the best jazz radio online. It plays various sub-genres of jazz music, 24 hours a day, and it mainly focuses on the emerging trends in jazz. It also features regular evening specials for jazz institutions like Hans Mantel, Jules Deelder and Gilles Peterson. The jazz radio online website also has a separate web page for upcoming concerts at Utrecht, Amsterdam and other cities.

These are three of the best stations that you’ll find when looking for a free jazz radio online. Once you’ve gained access to these online jazz radio stations, you can finally explore the work of all your favorite artists while staying updated with emerging musicians and songwriters.

 

Filed Under: Jazz Radio, Online Jazz

Early Jazz History: How Did Jazz Music Evolve?

March 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Jazz is a popular genre that represents the combination of different people and their heritage. In the 1800s, music played an important role in the day-to-day life of Africans who worked as plantation slaves. They used field hollers, songs and rituals to celebrate, entertain, mourn and help them cope with stress at work. Their music was incorporated into European-American music, which in turn became the basis for ragtime, blues, and other musical forms prior to jazz.

Whether you love listening to jazz music or you just want to know how this ever-popular genre evolved, this brief history of jazz music will answer all your queries.

Late 1800s – The Role of the Blues in Jazz History

In the 1800s, the blues took its influences from African American music that reflects the pain of injustice, and leaves people with the hope of succeeding amid adversity and outlasting a broken heart. Evolving from work songs, field hollers and hymns, the blues played a great role in the history of jazz music. Aside from being the foundation of jazz, it also serves as the prime source of rock and country music.

 

Louis Armstrong, one of the key figures in jazz history, inspired musicians to play individual solos instead of playing all at once. Image courtesy of Flickr.

Louis Armstrong, one of the key figures in jazz history, inspired musicians to play individual solos instead of playing all at once. Image courtesy of Flickr.

 

 

Jazz Music in New Orleans

New Orleans, which is often referred to as the melting pot of music, featured a tradition of grand celebrations in the early 1900s. Ragtime, opera, marching bands, folk music, and all dance styles that went with jazz music can be witnessed throughout the city. Sources that offer a brief jazz history also mention how all these genres blended into one and gave birth to jazz music.

Louis Armstrong, the most influential artist in the history of music, was born in New Orleans on August 4, 1901. He started playing the cornet at the early age of 13, and he immediately set the standards for what a great improvised jazz solo should sound like. He is a key figure in the history of jazz music because of his idea of letting musicians play individual solos instead of playing all at once.

The Evolution of Bebop

In the 1940s, jazz musicians started to look for other means of exploring their talents. This resulted in the birth of a new style of jazz, which is, of course, an important milestone in early jazz history. Bebop, a sub-genre known for its complex melodies, intricate harmonies and fast tempos suddenly became a craze. Instead of forming big bands, musicians joined smaller groups that played for listening audiences rather than dancing audiences.

The Fusion Era and Today’s Jazz Music

The 1970s is best remembered as the era of fusion, when musicians tried to integrate aspects of rhythm and blues, pop and rock into their music. Back in the 1960s, the world of rock and jazz music remained distinct. The rise of electronic keyboards pushed musicians to experiment with other sounds, thus creating another important milestone in the history of jazz music.

As you can see, jazz history from the 1920s to the 1970s is best identified through the new styles that evolved in the past decades. Today, musicians relive the colorful history of jazz by experimenting with a range of sub-genres that continue evolving through time.

Filed Under: Jazz Hall, Jazz Radio, Online Jazz

Enjoying Music When Traveling by Plane

January 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Traveling across country or internationally can be a challenge, especially if you do not have a way to keep yourself busy. During a long flight, you can read books or magazines, watch movies, sleep (or attempt to sleep), or listen to music to make your journey go faster. Not only will music make time fly, it can help calm you, energize you, or keep you entertained at the very least.

 

Image via Flickr

 

How Music Affects You

Researchers Suvi Saarikallio and Jaakko Erkkilä conducted a recent study examining the effects of music on a person’s mood. Based on the results, there are seven definitive ways music can affect a person’s mood: entertainment, revival, strong sensation, diversion, discharge, mental work, and solace.

If you find yourself stressing over flying or travel worries, music can keep your mind occupied and divert your attention elsewhere. Music provides a pathway down memory lane and promotes daydreaming. Aside from travel distraction, music also allows emotional release, can calm or arouse, and can provide peace.

Choosing Your Playlist

Before booking one of the many flights available through with tickets, take time to program your portable music device with a variety of music relative to the reason of your travels. Since music comes from the deep emotions of the writers and musicians that create it, it is only natural that you would experience personal and emotional ties to certain songs.

  • If you are traveling for a funeral of a loved one, a playlist reflecting the good times you had together can help remind you to celebrate life, as well as, mourn your loss.
  • A first-time, friends-only getaway is exciting; foster the excitement and joy by selecting songs you frequently associate with this specific group of friends.
  • Long-time separations from a lover can be painful, but reuniting is splendid. Reminisce earlier times with your favorite songs, and hopefully you will have a few new tunes to remind you of this occasion.

You may consider loading your portable music device with a variety of tunes that can be categorized based on your mood during travel.

 

Image via Flickr

 

Benefits of Music

Aside from occupying your time, releasing tension, and its calming affects, there are additional benefits to cranking up your favorite tunes.

  • Stimulating music played during your morning run results in increased workout effectiveness while solemn tunes will have the opposite effect.
  • Frequent enjoyment of your favorite songs can also result in a reduction of chronic pain. Music exposure has also been linked to higher intelligence and better test scores.
  • Further, a great band can build a bridge between you and other people you meet, knocking down barriers that would have remained otherwise.

Before, during, and after your travels music can enhance your life in many different ways.

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