How to Play Bossa Nova (Afro-Brazilian Jazz Explained)

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In this Jazz Piano Tutorial is on Afro-Brazilian Jazz and specifically on how to play Bossa Nova.

The Bossa Nova was largely a Brazilian trend in the late 1950's. But it became hugely popular in the United States in the early 1960’s because Jazz musicians like Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, and Charlie Byrd began playing Jobim’s songs. The 1959 Cuban Revolution helped too, by making celebrating Cuban culture a bit taboo in the US.

Stylistically, Bossa Nova is sparse, unemotional, and gentle. It 'sways' rather than 'swings'. It was restrained in the sense that it used little vibrato or dynamic variation - in Jazz lingo, it was 'cool' rather than 'hot'. But the melodies and lyrics could still be quite emotional, melancholy, and touching. It is played with a straight rhythm but is highly syncopated (which gives it that swaying feeling).

A Bossa Nova can be divided into three parts, with each one having a particular rhythm: Bass Ostinato Pattern, Chordal Comping Pattern, and Melody. We learn to play and combine of these in this lesson.

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