Jazz Elements as Fuel for Musical Compositions Featuring the Violin

Abstract

<p>The aim of this research is to demonstrate how Western classical music, involving the violin, can draw on jazz elements, to produce original musical compositions that contribute to the creation of new knowledge. As well as traditional research methods practice-led and research-led methodologies will be applied. Barbara Bolt’s concept of pragmatic concern will be exercised in determining the form and playability of musical ideas that have been conceived, invented and adapted both through experimentation and with reference to jazzimprovisation tutors. This research project will explore the translation of jazz improvisational material into notated compositional ideas that advance the knowledge of classical string players and fill a gap in the technical repertoire for violin. Jazz, with its African American origins, has influenced classical composers since the early 20th century. Darius Milhaud, Igor Stravinsky, Aaron Copland, George Gershwin and Erwin Schulhoff are outstanding examples of this. There have been many more recent developments in jazz that have yet to be incorporated in literature for the violin, especially with regard to the technical training repertoire.</p>