instructions in documents; Written Assignment #1: Jazz Origins For this assignme

instructions in documents;
Written Assignment #1: Jazz Origins
For this assignment, you are only required to listen to the first 2:37 of Scott Joplin’s “Fig Leaf Rag”. While Scott Joplin’s music was an important precursor to jazz, it is not jazz. For music to be jazz, it must have a significant portion of improvisation. Joplin’s music was entirely notated onto sheet music with no improvisation
Fig Leaf Rag has several sections. Listen specifically from 00:00 to 02:37, and address the following questions. You are only to answer the following questions as they pertain to 00:00 to 02:37:
How many different sections are within the first two minutes and thirty-seven seconds of the piece? Do any sections repeat themselves? Is there an introduction?
(2 points)
For the first two minutes and thirty-seven seconds of “Fig Leaf Rag”, create a letter designation for the form. The terms “verse” and “chorus” do not apply on a piano rag. Starting with a capital “A”, use capital letters to label the different sections that occur AFTER the introduction (if you determine that there is an introduction). Each section, after the introduction, gets one letter. Include timestamps for each capital letter that mark the start and end times for each section. Include timestamps for the introduction as well (if you determined that there is an introduction). For any sections that repeat, reuse the letter. If a section does not repeat, simply go on to the next letter in the alphabet. Hint: 00:07-00:36 is the first section after the introduction. Therefore, you should label 00:07-00:36 as “A”. If you feel that the subsequent section (00:37-01:06) is the exact same music as the section that occurred at 00:07-00:36, then the section at 00:37-1:06 should also be labelled “A”. Each section gets one letter.
If questions 1 & 2 on Written Assignment 1 still feel confusing, I encourage you to check out my analysis of Joplin’s, “The Entertainer”. To view this analysis, navigate to “Discussions” > “Ragtime, the blues, blues form, and 32-bar song form”. Once there, scroll down to read my analysis.
(4 points)
Most simply put, syncopation is the accenting of “off beats” or “upbeats”. Accenting” refers to making a note louder than other notes. The louder notes are “accented” notes. Tap your foot to the beat of the music. When your foot is touching the ground, that is a “downbeat”. When your foot is off the ground, that is an “upbeat” or “off beat”. Syncopation occurs when the music accents or emphasizes off beats, or upbeats. Syncopations do not occur on downbeats.
Is there syncopation in this piece? How prevalent is syncopation in the melody? Use timestamps to cite at least four specific examples of syncopation
(2 points)
Characteristically, rags have a steady “um-pah, um-pah” in the left hand, with the low bass notes sounding on the strong beats and chords sounding on the weak beats of each or group of four beats. Does the left hand play this characteristic “um-pah” figure in “Fig Leaf Rag”, or is it more elaborate than that? Provide timestamps as you cite your examples (for example, “00:15”).
(2 points)
Written Assignment #1 must be at least 300 words and written in essay format to receive full credit. This should all be one, long essay and not a numbered list.
Your responses must be in essay format (not a numbered list). The assignment should be submitted as one long essay. It is strongly suggested that you type your answer using a word processor making sure that you save your work as you go. Your goal on these written assignments is to sound knowledgeable and professional. Proofread your work. Take into account that grammar and syntax are factored into the grading of your assignment. Do not use colloquialisms or slang. For example, the term “hook” is not a proper musical term; do not use the term “hook” in your written assignments. Be specific when writing your responses to the questions. In order to get full credit for Written Assignments, you must be specific when answering all of the Written Assignment questions. Use timestamps (example, “0:34-1:24”) to cite specific instances in the recording to support your opinions and answers. Take for instance the statement, “Ella Fitzgerald sings really well which brings out the deep meaning of the lyrics.” Okay, but what is the deep meaning of the lyrics, to you? “Sings really well” will not receive credit as it has no specific meaning. Get specific by writing about: timbre (tone quality), range (high vs. low), short rhythmic values vs. long rhythmic values, and/or dynamics (soft volume vs. loud). Don’t make me read your mind as to what you mean. Warning: do not use phrases or words that have no specific meaning such as “upbeat”, “smooth”, or “lively”. These words have no specific meaning and do not exhibit any understanding of the course text. Unspecific terms such as “upbeat”, “smooth”, “lively” make your writing weak and come across as filler. Use of any of these terms must be immediately followed by specifics (instances in the track, specific criteria) that define the term’s usage. Otherwise, points will be deducted. My strong suggestion is to simply avoid unspecific terms such as “upbeat”, “smooth”, or “lively”.