Learn Listening Online

Styles

Dixie band

Jazz

At first this was music created by black Americans in the early 20th century. This is a blues played in the style of music known as Dixieland, and was the original style of jazz originating from New Orleans, in the Southern State of Louisiana in the USA. 

You don't have the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.

Why not download and install the latest version now?

Download the latest flash player

   Listen to the instruments: trumpet, clarinet, trombone, drum kit, double bass, guitar and piano.

Here is another example from a blues, one of the styles of jazz. 

   This is played by a big band or swing band and while it is playing listen for the staccato chords, which are the short chords at the beginning, brass instruments, a reed section of mainly saxophones and of course the prominent use of a drum kit.

Latin American

Usually dance-type music with catchy rhythms, like the samba, salsa, tango or bossa nova. First of all listen to this example of music from Cuba.

You don't have the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.

Why not download and install the latest version now?

Download the latest flash player

  Notice the melody played on an acoustic guitar.

Now listen to an excerpt played by a Latin jazz group.

  Notice the use of piano as the solo instrument and the accompanying double bass and drum kit and be sure to listen out for syncopation in the melody and the drum fill at the end of the first section.