Listen To Jazz

These days it is very rare to see younger people listen to jazz. The majority of kids who actually do listen to jazz are the kids who tend to play an instrument in their middle school, high school or college, or the kids who grew up with their parents listening to it. Most of the other kids don't really respect the music.

I personally think jazz is one of the most important aspects of music in American culture. It certainly is one of the first forms of music that is originally American. All other music before that, came primarily from other countries around the world. What makes Jazz so unique is that it would not exist if it wasn't for the diversity the America experienced. It was originated in the south. It started from the lower class people from different countries blending their musical backgrounds together to create something total new. It was a mixture mainly of African tribal music and European classical music. The Africans contributed their sense of rhythm and improvisation mainly with the percussion instruments and the Europeans contributed their sense of harmony and melody.

Arguably, improvisation is what makes jazz, jazz. Most people agree that you might hear something that sounds traditionally jazz, but if it wasn't improvised, and every melody line was pre-written then it is not jazz. The only thing that can be written is the Chord changes. Everything else has to generally be made up on the spot. This in my opinion is what makes jazz so unique and difficult.

It takes years of practice do be able to confidently play jazz and actually sound good. This is why I respect the art form so much. I think if people understood what goes on to makes jazz, then they would respect it also.

I'm Shawn

Hey how's it going everyone? My name's Shawn and I'm 20 years old. People always comment to me that I have, "...one more year..". What's that supposed to mean? I know what it means. That means that I have one more year until I'm at the legal drinking age. "Are you going to go to Vegas and get wasted???", everyone asks me. Or, "We are soooo taking you to the bar on your birthday!". Yes, that's exactly what I want to do on my birthday; spend it over a toilet seat! I just love the thought of paying money to throw up! What ever happened to the "birthday cake"??? My favorite's an oreo ice cream as a matter of fact.

Why is it so important to get extremely drunk on your 21 birthday anyways? I'm sure that a lot of us have been drinking long before our 21 birthday. The ironic thing is that it's usually the one's who are already border line alcoholics who just cannot wait until their 21 birthday! Im not saying this to offend anyone. I use to be in that position. I was drinking all through high school. It's a miracle that I even graduated. Alcohol really wasn't too hard to get, even though I was underage. And I just could not wait until I was 21! It's so pleasuring knowing that I can now be in the position where I have the option to legally throw my life away to alcohol!

I respect people who have the ability to only have a few drinks and be fine. I don't disagree with alcohol totally. I just have an addictive personality which runs in my family and it's sad watching people throw their life away to something that can be avoided. It took me a long time to realize again that I don't need a substance in my body to have a good time. There is so much more to life than to have a "buzz" or "high". go outside and enjoy nature. Now, if you decide to put substances in your body, then that's your choice. I'm not going to judge you. I just hope you are truly happy with what your doing. I thought I was happy getting drunk and getting high but I just realized for me it was a false happiness. And it left me feeling guilty all the time. Now I am much more happy with the activities I do now. And as for my 21 first birthday, I'll most likely be spending it at home with my family and beautiful girlfriend. Hopefully I'll get that oreo ice cream cake!